Christmas Crackers

1930s-1960s

Dublin Shops Highlight Christmas – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 28

5th December 2016

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December 1959 and Christmas is coming. The streets of Dublin glistened with the joy of the festive season. Everything you could wish for could be found here. In every shop window there was something to delight and entice, from the latest fashion trends to novelty Christmas candles; Dublin city centre had everything you needed for […]

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Christmas

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

5th December 2016

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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 […]

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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, […]

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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 […]

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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. […]

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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 […]

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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 […]

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Christmas Crackers

Moonmen

22nd August 2016

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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 […]

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