1953 - 54 John J O'Malley (No 1)

John J O'Malley (1872 - 1959) of Westport was one of the best known businessmen in the West of Ireland. His wife was Sabina Joyce, daughter of Thomas Francis and Sabina Joyce of Muintir Eoin and Leenane, Co. Galway. His parents were John and Maria (nee Garavan) O'Malley of Knockfelim, Aughagower, Westport. Educated at Derrygorman National School and a private academy at James's Street, Westport, his early interests were boxing and field sports. He served his business apprenticeship in Westport and Mullingar, and started his own wholesale and retail business in Upper Bridge Street, Westport, circa 1904. Founder and first president of Westport Chamber of Commerce, he became a prime mover in the promotion of local industry. A director of the Irish Sewing Cotton Co., the Reliable Shoe Co., and Westport Doubling Co., he was also proprietor of the Ormond Hotel, Dublin. He was a founder member and president of the O'Malley Clan Association, and a driving force behind the project of restoring Grainne's castle of Carrigahowley. Together with Sir Owen O'Malley, he was chief organiser of the first Clan Rally in 1953 and was elected chieftain at the gathering that took place on that day at the C. I. E. Great Southern Hotel, Mulrany. His term as Chieftain culminated with the 1954 Clan Rally the following year. He was then elected Guardian Chieftain, a position which he held until his death in 1959. His daughter Grace O'Malley Purcell was elected Chieftain No 29 in 1981 and his niece Alice O'Malley of Chicago was elected Chieftain No 36 in 1988.

A younger John J O'Malley - from the Connaught Telegraph  September 19th, 1953.