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Michael Morris, 3rd Baron Killanin facts for kids

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The Lord Killanin
MBE TD
Michael Morris, 3rd Baron Killanin (1976).jpg
Michael Morris, 3rd Baron Killanin in May 1976
In office
July 1927 – 25 April 1999
Hereditary peerage
Preceded by The 2nd Baron Killanin
Succeeded by The 4th Baron Killanin
6th President of the International Olympic Committee
In office
11 September 1972 – 3 August 1980
Preceded by Avery Brundage
Succeeded by Juan Antonio Samaranch
Honorary President of the IOC
In office
3 August 1980 – 25 April 1999
Preceded by vacant, last held by Avery Brundage (1975)
Succeeded by vacant, next held by Juan Antonio Samaranch (2001)
Personal details
Born (1914-07-30)30 July 1914
London, England
Died 25 April 1999(1999-04-25) (aged 84)
Dublin, Ireland
Nationality Irish
Spouse Sheila Dunlop
Children Redmond
Monica Deborah
Mouse
John
Alma mater Magdalene College, Cambridge
Occupation Journalist, film producer, author, business executive, honorary consul

Michael Morris, 3rd Baron Killanin (born July 30, 1914 – died April 25, 1999) was an important Irish figure. He was a journalist, an author, and a sports leader. He is best known for being the sixth President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

When he was just 12 years old, in 1927, he became a Baron. This meant he inherited a special title from his uncle. This title allowed him to join the House of Lords in the British Parliament when he turned 21.

Early Life and Education

Michael Morris was born in London, England. His father, George Morris, was an Irish soldier from Spiddal in County Galway. His family, the Morrises, were one of the famous "Tribes of Galway." Sadly, his father died in France during the First World War in 1914, just after Michael was born.

Michael's grandfather was the 1st Baron Killanin. He was a top judge in Ireland. Michael's mother, Dora Maryon Wesley Hall, was born in Australia. Her father was a manager of a gold mining company there.

School and Early Career

Michael went to several schools, including Eton College and the Sorbonne in Paris. He also studied at Magdalene College, Cambridge. While at Cambridge, he was the president of a drama club called Footlights.

In the mid-1930s, he started working as a journalist. He wrote for famous newspapers like the Daily Express and the Daily Mail. From 1937 to 1938, he worked as a war correspondent during the Second Sino-Japanese War. This meant he reported on the war from the front lines.

Military Service

In 1938, Michael Morris joined the British Army. He was part of a special unit that recruited other journalists, musicians, and actors. He became a major and helped plan important events during World War II.

He was involved in the planning of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in 1944. These were huge military operations that helped end the war. For his service, he received an award called the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE). After the war, he moved to Ireland.

Family Life

In 1945, Lord Killanin married Sheila Cathcart Dunlop. She was from Oughterard, County Galway. Her grandfather, Henry Dunlop, built the famous Lansdowne Road Rugby Ground in Dublin.

Lord and Lady Killanin had three sons named George Redmond, Michael, and John. They also had a daughter named Monica Deborah.

Leading the Olympic Movement

Michael Morris became very involved in sports. In 1950, he became the head of the Olympic Council of Ireland. Two years later, in 1952, he became Ireland's representative in the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Becoming IOC President

In 1968, he became a senior vice-president of the IOC. Then, in 1972, he was chosen to be the President of the IOC. He took over this important role after the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich.

Challenges During His Presidency

His time as president was quite challenging for the Olympic Games.

Also, the city of Denver, which was supposed to host the 1976 Winter Olympics, decided not to. So, Innsbruck had to host instead. For the 1980 and 1984 Games, there weren't many cities wanting to host. So, Lake Placid and Los Angeles were chosen without much competition.

Lord Killanin stepped down as president in 1980, right after the Moscow Olympics. Juan Antonio Samaranch took over his position. Later, Lord Killanin was made the Honorary Life President of the IOC.

Other Important Roles

Lord Killanin held many other important positions throughout his life.

Business and Heritage

He was the Honorary Consul-General for Monaco in Ireland from 1961 to 1984. He also served as the Chairman of the Race Committee for Galway Racecourse for 15 years. He was a big fan of horse racing.

In his business life, he was a director for many companies, including Irish Shell and Ulster Bank. He also helped start An Taisce, which is like the National Trust for Ireland. He was the chairman of the National Monuments Advisory Council until he died.

Later Life and Legacy

Michael-Morris-3rd-Baron-Killanin-stained-glass-window-Spiddal
Commemorative stained glass window for The 3rd Lord Killanin in Spiddal

Lord Killanin passed away at his home in Dublin when he was 84 years old. He was buried in his family's burial place in Bohermore Cemetery in Galway.

He left behind a legacy as a dedicated leader who guided the Olympic movement through a tough period.

Selected Books by Lord Killanin

Lord Killanin was also an author. Here are some of the books he wrote or helped create:

  • Four days, an account of the 1938 Munich crisis (1938)
  • Sir Godfrey Kneller & His Times (1948)
  • Olympic Games (1976)
  • Shell Guide to Ireland (1989)
  • My Olympic Years (1983)
  • My Ireland: A Personal Impression (1987)

Images for kids

Civic offices
Preceded by
United States Avery Brundage
President of the International Olympic Committee
1972–1980
Succeeded by
Spain Juan Antonio Samaranch
Peerage of the United Kingdom
Preceded by
Martin Morris
Baron Killanin
1927–1999
Succeeded by
Red Morris

See also

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