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Christmas

Toys, Buy Now for Christmas – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 201

5th December 2016

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This April 1963 edition of the newsreel shows a fun-filled toy fair in Dublin where visitors are allowed a sneak preview of Christmas stock. From tricycles to fashion dolls and remote control cars, there was something for every child at this show. Many of the toys were from the British Tri-ang range. In the 1960s, […]

Christmas

Moving Crib Tells Christmas Story – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 187

5th December 2016

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A popular Dublin Christmas tradition was a visit to The Moving Crib in Parnell Square. A nativity scene was created using over 100 mechanical handcrafted figures set against a delicately hand-painted backdrop. The Moving Crib (based at St Martin Apostolate, 30 Parnell Square) opened in 1956. Visitors can enjoy a colourful array of bible scenes […]

Christmas

Dublin Christmas Lights – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 185

5th December 2016

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December 1962 and traffic in Dublin is at a standstill as crowds gather on O’Connell Bridge awaiting Santa’s arrival. Rudolph et al must have been resting for the big night as Santa chose a rather unorthodox method of transport – water skiing his way up the River Liffey to mark the beginning of the festivities. […]

Christmas

Christmas Day Swim – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 83

5th December 2016

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This newsreel records the annual Dublin Swimming Club Christmas swim, which took place at the Clontarf Baths on a freezing December morning in 1961. The crowd of wrapped-up onlookers cheered on the athletes as they braved the cold waters. The winner Neil Kennedy who was awarded the trophy by Máire Potter. The Clontarf Swimming Club […]

Christmas

A Wet Christmas in Howth – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 83

5th December 2016

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What better way to spend Christmas Day in 1961 than water skiing in the freezing cold Irish Sea? Mr and Mrs Carr brave the cold waters at Balscadden Bay as onlookers, in awe of this chilly Christmas tradition, cheer them on. Howth and Martello Tower are just visible in the distance. This traditional Christmas swim […]

History

Christy Brown, My Left Foot – Radharc

1st November 2016

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This Radharc film originally aired in October 1962 and documents the life of the famous Irish painter and writer, Christy Brown. In the film, Father Peter Lemass visits Christy at home in Crumlin, talks with him and shows us his work. Christy Brown was born on 5th of June 1932 in Crumlin, Dublin, the tenth […]

Irish Hospital Sweepstakes: If You Are Not In You Can’t Win

1st November 2016

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This colour advertisement from the 1970s for the Irish Hospital Sweepstakes, is one of many similar films preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive and contains the iconic tagline ‘If you’re not in, you can’t win’. The Irish Hospitals’ Sweepstake was a lottery that began in 1930 as the Irish Free State Hospitals’ Sweepstake. It […]

Irish Hospital Sweepstakes: Sweepstakes Hurdle Draw

1st November 2016

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This Irish Hospital Sweepstakes advert of an actual draw was originally broadcast in the 1960’s.With over £285,000 at stake, if you had a ticket you had ‘as good a chance as anybody anywhere of winning’. The Irish Hospitals’ Sweepstake was a lottery that began in 1930 as the Irish Free State Hospitals’ Sweepstake. It was […]

Irish Culture

Lemon’s Sweets: Gems

1st November 2016

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This delightful animated advertisement for Lemon’s sweets was originally exhibited in cinemas in 1958. It is one of 3 adverts that were made by the company at this time but this is the only one in colour. In 1842 Graham Lemon opened The Confectioners Hall at 49 Lower Sackville Street (now O’Connell Street ) in […]

History

Retreat – Radharc

1st November 2016

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This short documentary presents St. Anthony’s Retreat House in Raheny, a Capuchin-run house which held annual retreats for the public to escape the hum-drum of everyday life and “get closer to God”. During weekend retreats a wide variety of talks on matters of interest were offered including: prayer and reflection, readings from spiritual books, and […]

Documentary

Waiting for the Light

1st November 2016

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This compelling biography shines a spotlight on one of the titans of Irish cinema George Morrison. Waiting for the Light is a moving and illuminating portrait of the then 85-year-old Irish film auteur, George Morrison. Ciarín Scott explores his work, his life and his love in frank and intimate interviews interwoven with previously unseen stills […]

History

Tax on Kerry Cows – Radharc

1st November 2016

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This programme presents an unusual initiative introduced by the parishioners of Asdee and Ballylongford, in the Diocese of Kerry, to raise funds for the renovation of their churches which had fallen into disrepair. The inventive scheme called for farmers of each diocese to impose upon themselves an annual levy of £1 per cow, for a […]