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Patrick Vincent (“Vinny”) O’Malley is a beloved figure in Portland’s Irish community and a steadfast advocate for Maine’s working people. Growing up on Portland’s West End, Vinny became deeply involved in community life and later played a key role in the revival of Saint Dominic’s as the Maine Irish Heritage Center.
His career reflects a lifetime of service. Vinny worked as a community organizer during the pivotal activism of the 1970s, a cab driver with Town Taxi, and a proud member of the Portland Longshoremen’s Benevolent Society (ILA Local 861). His public service reached new heights when Governor John Baldacci nominated him to serve on the Maine Unemployment Insurance Commission, a position he held for 12 years, where he played a significant role in protecting and supporting Maine workers across the state.
Known for his humor, generosity, and fierce loyalty, Vinny has stood by hundreds of Portlanders in moments of need—as a neighbor, advocate, and friend. He and his wife Michelle recently welcomed a joyous new chapter with the marriage of their son Ian in 2025.
Join host Michael Connolly as he sits down with Vinny to reflect on labor, community, advocacy, and the enduring spirit of Portland’s Irish West End.
