Mise Éire

Produced by the pioneering Irish language filmmakers Gael Linn, Mise Éire, draws almost exclusively on contemporaneous newspapers, newsreels and actuality footage from the early years of Ireland’s revolutionary period to present a moving-image history of that time. Seán Mac Réamoinn’s commentary chronicles historical moments from the last years of the nineteenth century through to the 1916 Rising and concluding with Sinn Fein’s electoral victory in 1918, a triumph that would be a precursor to revolution. The film’s approach to this history is to celebrate as heroes and martyrs those who involved themselves in the radical nationalist movement with Seán Ó Ríada’s memorable score amplifying the tone of hope and patriotism. The film is notable for the invaluable work of archival salvage undertaken by Morrisson in identifying and preserving moving images in Irish and British collections to create this feature length montage.