1993-94 Ellen O'Malley Dunlop (No 41)

Ellen O'Malley Dunlop was born in Rathdowney, Co Laois, the only daughter of Donald O'Malley and Grace Comerford. Her grandfather, John O'Malley came from Clare Island, Co Mayo, and settled in Rathdowney after his travels in the USA. She was educated in Coláiste Bhride, Callan, Co Kilkenny and University College Dublin. She qualified as a primary teacher from Mary Immaculate College of Education in Limerick. She subsequently retired from teaching and trained as a Psychotherapist in London. After returning to Ireland,  she ran a successful psychotherapy practice. During that time she and a number of colleagues set up a Masters Programme in Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy in Trinity College, Dublin. They were among the first trainers of psychotherapists in Ireland and Ellen became the first woman Chairperson of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy, the regulatory body for psychotherapists in Ireland. 

Ellen served as CEO for the Dublin Rape Crisis Centre for 10 years (2006-16), becoming a highly respected advocate for the rights of victims of sexual violence. She has published widely in newspapers about victims' rights and appears regularly on radio and television broadcasts. She has served as member of the board of the National Women's Council of Ireland and the Task Force for the Child and Family Agency and she was also the chair of the Irish Council for Psychotherapy. She was elected as chair of the board of the National Women's Council of Ireland in 2017. She served as a member of the Board of Gaisce, The President's Award, for 5 years, and was a member of The Legal Aid Board for 5 years. She is Adjunct Professor at the University of Limerick's Law school where she works particularly with the Centre for Crime, Justice and Victims Studies.

For over 20 years she has been Co-Director of Bard Mythologies and the organiser of the Annual Bard Summer School on Clare Island, Co.Mayo. Bard Mythologies runs workshops, seminars and discussion groups exploring Irish myths and legends and their relevance to current discourse. It publishes materials arising from the various programmes and events.

Ellen was elected to The Council of Europe's GREVIO Committee, in June 2022. and now serves as a Vice President. GREVIO is the body of independent experts responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Council of Europe Convention on preventing and combating violence against women and domestic violence (the Istanbul Convention). 

As a child, Ellen attended O'Malley clan rallies with her family. She was elected the 41st Chieftain of the Clan in 1993 and organised a memorable Clan Rally on Clare Island in 1994. She visited the USA as Chieftain and engaged with O'Malleys in New York and Chicago. She edited the Clan Newsletter for many years and was a Director of the Granuaile Trust, which was set up to raise funding for the preservation of O'Malley heritage, such as the unique frescoes in the Cistercian Abbey on Clare Island. She served as Guardian Chieftain from 2015 to 2025. 

In 2025 Ellen was awarded the Clans of Ireland Order of Merit (CIOM). The CIOM is  the highest distinction awarded by Finte na hÉireann (Clans of Ireland) to individuals who have made exceptional contributions to Irish culture, heritage, or their specific clan.