O’Connell Street, Dublin

This short film shows a busy O’Connell Street, Dublin in 1947.  The camera captures the streetscape with the Gresham Hotel, Nelson’s Pillar, the Ambassador Cinema and O’Connell Bridge. Traffic conductors direct double-decker buses while cars and many cyclists make their way down the bustling main street of Dublin.

Father Reid (later Monsignor Reid) acquired his first ‘movie’ camera in the mid-1930s. He continued to film a wide variety of subjects until the 1970s. He filmed in the United States, where he lived for most of his life, and also religiously documented life in Ireland with family and friends during his regular trips home. His films include holiday and family activities against the backdrop of beautiful Irish scenery. He also captured holidays abroad in France, Spain, England and Italy.

To see more of The Monsignor Reid Collection, click here.

With kind permission of Ann O’Brien.