Maureen O'Hara has passed away peacefully in her sleep at her home in Boise, Idaho on Saturday morning surrounded by family.
"The Irish Film & Television Academy sends our deepest condolences and sympathy to the family of the inspirational and legendary Irish actress Maureen O'Hara. We were very proud to pay tribute to Maureen back in 2004, presenting her with the Irish Academy's IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award - and what a glorious night that was and how happy and overwhelmed Maureen was to receive the longest standing ovation from her peers in her home country. Maureen will be remembered very fondly by all her fellow IFTA Academy Members, and will always hold a special place in our hearts". Áine Moriarty, Chief Executive Irish Film & Television Academy.
“All of you in the theatrical profession, television or movies, never forget you represent to the whole world this small, great, fabulous country. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this Award, it’s just a wonderful gift from Ireland to an Irish woman.” Maureen O’Hara, Recipient of the IFTA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004
See the Academy’s Lifetime presentation to Maureen O’Hara HERE
In 2004, the then-newly established Irish Film & Television Academy honoured Maureen O'Hara with the Lifetime Achievement Award in Dublin, led by video tributes from some of Maureen's many admirers and collaborators throughout the years including director Steven Spielberg, Chris Columbus and actors Milo O'Shea & Hayley Mills. Having represented her homeland impeccably and with absolute loyalty and pride, it was a fitting tribute to this 'Queen of Technicolour' that the Irish Film & Television Academy presented the 2004 'Lifetime Achievement Award' to Maureen, a true Irish living legend.
Almost a decade to the day since her 2004 recognition in her beloved home country, Maureen O'Hara was given the recognition she so richly deserves from the American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in presenting her with an Honorary Oscar Award at the Annual Governors Ball in Hollywood on November 8th 2014. The honour of receiving this revered golden statuette is symbolic and the culmination of a life's work on screen and a perfectly fitting way to celebrate this extraordinary Irish woman.
