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Christmas Newsreels

Christmas in the City – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 237

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In December 1963 Dublin was humming with excitement as crowds gathered in their droves to see the Christmas lights adorn the streets. Henry Street was overflowing with busy shoppers, enticed by the winter wonderland window displays and bargains at the market stalls on Moore Street. Children eagerly waited to meet Santa in his grotto, while […]

Christmas Cards Help World’s Refugees – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 130

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Oscar-winning actor Dame Margaret Rutherford visited Trinity College in December 1961 to help promote the launch of charity christmas cards. Enterprising students were selling cards depicting famous paintings reproduced with the kind permission of the National Gallery of Ireland.  The proceeds would go towards the Irish Père Pire Refugee Fund. Père Dominique Pire, born in […]

Dublin Christmas Lights – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 185

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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 Day Swim – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 83

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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 […]

A Wet Christmas in Howth – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 83

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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 […]

Moonmen

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Made by renowned and prolific director of dramas and documentaries, Kieran Hickey, this film shows members of the Half Moon Swimming Club braving the grim winter seas at Dublin’s South Wall in the winter of 1964/65. This was Hickey’s first film and provides the viewer an opportunity to eavesdrop on a moment in time. It […]