1955-56 Paddy O'Malley (No 3)

Paddy at the first O'Malley Clan Rally in 1953

Paddy as a young man

Patrick Eugene (Paddy) O'Malley (1893 - 1955) was born in the Round House, High Street, Limerick, where his family lived above their public house and grocery business.  He was the son of Patrick O'Malley from Murroe and Helena Ryan and was the sixth of their 8 children. He was educated at the Jesuit Crescent College in Limerick. He was only 16 when his father died suddenly in 1910 and he was placed by his uncle Joe O'Malley in the family business. After the turbulent years of the first world war, the war of independence and the civil war, he changed the business to become a wholesale tea, wine and spirit merchant and built up a substantial business supplying customers throughout the west and south of Ireland. He married Kitty Bonass from Dublin in 1922 and they had two children - George (Chieftain 1967-68) and Pamela, who married Gainor Crist and moved to Spain. Actively involved in the commercial life of the city, he was a Director of the Limerick drapery business Cannock & Co and was the first President of Limerick Chamber of Commerce. He represented France as Agent Consulaire for many years. Paddy was elected Chieftain No 3 of the O'Malley Clan in 1955 and died in office later that year. His brother Charlie was Chieftain No 5  his son George was Chieftain No 15 and his grandson Brendan No 64. Brendan was elected Guardian Chieftain in 2025.

Paddy O'Malley with his wife Kitty Bonass and daughter Pamela O'Malley Crist in Madrid. 

Paddy with Sean Lemass, T.D. at the first annual Limerick Chamber of Commerce dinner