Reforming Minister's portrait to hang proudly in Limerick college

A PORTRAIT of the minister who introduced free secondary education into the State will hang proudly to inspire the next generation of teachers in a Limerick college.

Sixty years ago, Donogh O’Malley brought in the reform, and the anniversary is being marked by a series of events, including the unveiling of a plaque.

As part of the commemorations, artist Declan Chambers painted a portrait of Mr O’Malley, copies of which have been handed out across the region.

Mary Immaculate College president Prof Dermot Nestor has been presented with one of the portrait pictures by the artist himself and Michael O’Dwyer, who is organising a two-year series of events to mark the educational reform.

A quote attributed to Mr O’Malley is inscribed on the back of the portrait, which reads: “Education is one great leveller upper – greater than wealth, greater than lineage, greater than power.”

Prof Nestor said: “Donogh O'Malley asked that his generation be judged by what it did for the children of its time. Mary Immaculate College takes up that challenge. He opened education to every child; what matters now is what is made of it.

“That is the work of this college - done with children, families, schools, and communities, and aimed at real change in their lives. His portrait belongs where that work goes on.”

Mr O’Dwyer said: “Donogh O’Malley succeeded in bringing education to the top of the political agenda during his very brief period of 20 months as Minister for Education.

“While he is best known for introducing free post-primary education, his other achievements, including establishing the Kennedy Commission on Industrial Schools, creating nine Regional Technical Colleges and introducing a third-level grant scheme, also deserve recognition.”

The wider commemorative programme will continue over the coming year with a series of civic, academic and cultural initiatives marking the 60th anniversary of Mr O’Malley’s reforms.

The plaque unveiling in Sixmilebridge, Co Clare by the local historical society, marked the spot where the former Minister for Education suffered a fatal heart attack, dying at the age of just 47 in 1968 – only two years after the free educational laws.

It is located at the Little Church in Sixmilebridge where Mr O’Malley was addressing a grass-roots Fianna Fail event when he took ill.

It was one of his successors in the role, the current Education Minister Hildegarde Naughton, who carried out the unveiling as guest of honour.