President Higgins pays tribute to Waterford's George Morrison as filmmaker dies aged 103

Tramore-born documentary filmmaker George Morrison passed away last week at the age of 103.

George was a highly accomplished and influential filmmaker, film archivist, author, historian and Saoi of Aosdána (the affiliation of creative artists in Ireland).

George’s contribution to the Irish cinema canon is highly significant.

A native of County Waterford, George first became interested in photography in 1934, creating throughout his lifetime a large body of still photographs in both black and white and colour relating to antiquities, food, industry, architecture and landscape.

The main body of his film work was produced during the 1950s and 1960s.

His most important and nationally impactful films were his two feature-length historical documentaries, 'Mise Éire', released in 1959, and 'Saoirse?', released 1961.

The films charted Ireland’s struggle for independence from 1896 to 1922.

Mise Éire featured a celebrated score by acclaimed composer Seán Ó Riada.

The films marked the first time that Irish cinema-goers were to experience and respond enthusiastically to a compelling filmic narrative of Irish history, one which many knew but few had ever seen.

In addition to his filmmaking, Morrison made lasting contributions to the craft and education of cinema, and developed techniques that became standard practice in the industry.

During the making of Mise Éire, George embarked on the painstaking process of tracking down long-lost or forgotten newsreels from the independence period in archives across Europe.

This work led to the preservation of 300,000 feet of early 20th century newsreel footage, which may have been lost forever without his work.

George served on the Council of Designers of Ireland and in 1957 became a founder member and vice president of the Inaugural Congress of the Bureau International de Recherche Historique Cinématographique, Paris.

His uncompromising proposals for the establishment of a moving image archive, outlined in papers prepared in the 1960s and 70s, provided key reference points in the planning and development of the Irish Film Institute's Irish Film Archive.

His decades of extraordinary dedication to film was recognised in 2017 when he was elected a Saoi of Aosdána and presented with the symbol of the office, the gold torc, by President Michael D. Higgins.

Paying tribute to George’s life and career, President Higgins said last week, “George Morrison is and will remain an iconic and foundational figure in Irish filmography.

"A filmmaker of immense craft and skill, he will rightly be remembered in particular as a great innovator in the techniques of film, using new and pioneering camera work, while realising how film and music could be brought together in a way that is distinctive.

“I had the honour of bestowing the honour of Saoi of Aosdána on George Morrisson in 2017 and have also had the pleasure of meeting with him on many other occasions over the years, including when we marked his 100th birthday in Áras an Uachtaráin in 2023.

“On behalf of Sabina and myself, may I extend my deepest condolences to his family, friends and all those who have been so inspired by his work over the decades.” 

A spokesperson from the Irish Film Institute celebrated George's remarkable achievements, saying,  “The staff and board of the Irish Film Institute are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of Irish cinema’s most respected film pioneers, George Morrison.

“George was a true cineaste with a passion for cinema unconfined by national or historical boundaries.

"We are indebted to George Morrison for his invaluable moving image legacy. On behalf of all at the Irish Film Institute, we extend our sincerest sympathies to George’s family and friends.” 

Meanwhile, Maura McGrath, Chair of the Arts Council, said last week, “George Morrison was a pioneer of extraordinary vision. His artistry preserved the story of Ireland for future generations and set standards for documentary-making worldwide. His influence will continue to be felt wherever film is made with integrity, imagination, and heart."