New portrait of Limerick man who ushered in free secondary education in Ireland

A NEW portrait of the Limerick man who brought free secondary education into the State will be unveiled at the weekend.

As Education Minister, former Limerick East TD Donogh O’Malley is best known for the reform which meant hundreds of thousands of families could educate their children up to the age of 17 or 18 years.

2026 marks the 60th anniversary of this announcement, and to kick off a year of events to mark the reform, renowned local portrait artist Declan Chambers will unveil a new, unseen portrait of the Fianna Fail man, who sadly passed away just two years after introducing the educational change.

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The People’s Museum at Pery Square will play host to the launch of the exhibition, which is being opened by sitting TD Conor Sheehan.

It takes place at Saturday, December 13, 2025, from 7.30pm, and will be followed by a mulled wine and mince pie reception.

Mr Chambers also has 27 other portraits in the exhibition, and prints of the new painting of Mr O’Malley will be available to purchase.

Michael O’Dwyer, who is helping to organise the commemoration of the former TD’s work, said all will be welcome on the night.
Michael revealed that in 2028, to mark the 60th anniversary of the former Education Minister’s untimely passing, it’s hoped a new biography of his life and times will be brought out.

“We’re not sure about the format, but we have talked to a number of people about it. It might be an essay about people’s reminiscences of Donogh,” he explained.

“Also, what we have found, courtesy of Daragh, his son, are some very unique family photographs. It’s important to note his wife Hilda played a huge part in his life, not least in his philosophy of education. She actually first suggested the idea of free post-primary education,” Mr O’Dwyer added.

Mr Chambers’ exhibition actually starts on Thursday.