1970-71 Martin O'Malley (No 18)

Martin O'Malley (1918 - 1995) was born in Rathdowney, Co Laois, to John O'Malley from Clare Island and Ellen Whelan, the sixth of their thirteen children. He was educated at St. KIeran's College, Kilkenny and University College Dublin. He spent his career as a civil servant in the Department of Posts and Telegraphs, from 1937 until his retirement in 1979 as Assistant Secretary. He married Rosaleen Cronin in 1944 and they had six sons and two daughters. Gaelic games, the theatre and the O'Malley Clan were his lifelong interests. In 1970, he was the first of the Rathdowney O'Malleys to be elected Chieftain of the O'Malley Clan as Chieftain No 18, and he was Guardian Chieftain from 1984 to 1988. His brother Gerry was Chieftain No 20 and his son Declan was Chieftain No 30.