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Donagh Brendan O'Malley (1921– March 10, 1968) was an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and cabinet minister.

O'Malley was born in Limerick City in 1921. He was educated at Crescent College, Limerick and University College, Galway where he qualified as an engineer in 1943. He worked as an engineer in Limerick until the 1954 general election, when he was elected to Dáil Éireann as a Fianna Fáil Teachta Dála in the Limerick East constituency. O'Malley, however, had been Mayor of Limerick City before entering the Dáil, following a family tradition as two of his brothers had also held the office on separate occasions. In 1961 he joined the junior ministerial ranks of government when he became Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance.

Following the 1965 general election the older members of Seán Lemass's government retired and O'Malley was appointed Minister for Health. He remained in this position until 1966 when he was appointed to the Minister for Education, a position where he will be forever remembered for his dynamism as a Minister. Having succeeded another dynamic Minister, Patrick Hillery, O'Malley acted swiftly to introduce the recommendations that were made in an official report regarding education, the most ground breaking of which was to introduce free secondary school education. The announcement caused consternation as O'Malley had not discussed the issue with the cabinet and only the Taoiseach, Seán Lemass, had prior knowledge.

As Minister O'Malley also extended the school transport scheme and commissioned the building of new non-denominational Comprehensive and Community Schools in areas where they were lacking. He also introduced Regional Technical Colleges (RTCs), now called Institutes of Technology in areas where there was no third level college in proximity. The best example of this successful policy is Limerick, now a University, where O'Malley is credited with taking the steps to ensure the college came into existence. His plan to merge Trinity College, Dublin and University College Dublin aroused huge controversy and was not successful, despite being supported by his Cabinet colleague Brian Lenihan. O'Malley was affectionately known as "The School Man" for his work in the area of education.

O'Malley was part of a newer, brasher style of politician that was emerging in the 1960s. He was a colourful and charming character and his drinking exploits with fellow ministers Charles Haughey and Brian Lenihan have become part of Irish political folklore.

Donagh O'Malley died suddenly in Limerick on 10 March 1968 before his vision for the education system was completed. His nephew, Desmond O'Malley was elected in his place in the subsequent by-election on 22nd May.

• Letterkenny Institute of Technology
• Families in the Oireachtas

This page incorporates information from the Oireachtas Members Database