Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)
Portrait of Harry Boland T.D.
Oil on canvas on board, 46 x 35cm (18 x 13¾'')
Signed; also signed and inscribed verso

 

Provenance: Stephen O'Mara, thence by...

Leo Whelan RHA (1892-1956)
Portrait of Harry Boland T.D.
Oil on canvas on board, 46 x 35cm (18 x 13¾'')
Signed; also signed and inscribed verso

 

Provenance: Stephen O'Mara, thence by descent to the current owners

 

Stephen Mary O'Mara was born in January 1884 in Limerick,and educated by the Christian Brothers, andlater at Clongowes Wood College.After the Easter Rising of 1916 he joined Sinn Fein.

He married Nancy O'Brienon the 5 February 1918, at which time he was listed as a bacon merchant, living at Strand House in the city.He was appointed a member of the Sinn Fein Standing Committee (or "Ard Chomhairle") forthe December 1918 general election. Elected Mayor of Limerick in 1921 after the murder of Mayor George Clancy, he was re-elected in 1922 and 1923 but resigned before his term of office had expired.

As the underground government's Special Envoy to the United States,he raised funds for the Republican Loans alongside Harry Boland and was honoured by being made a Trustee of Dail Eireann Funds.

Stephen opposed the Treaty, taking a stand against his own brother Jim and, according to family history, was the only O'Mara to go anti-Treaty. During the Civil War he was arrested at Roscrea and imprisoned by the Free State. In later years he was appointed a member of the Commission of Vocational Organisations and before his death in 1959, was appointed by President de Valera to the Council of State.

He developed the bacon processing company, OMaras Ltd, which his grandfather had founded and under his guidance the firm opened up bacon curing factories in Claremorris and Letterkenny.

 

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