Archive Player, Author at IFI Archive Player

Ireland 1924-1930

Preparing for the Electricity Era

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

In this newsreel from 1929, the dawn of a new Ireland can be seen with the Shannon Scheme paving the way for new kind of energy. In a dramatic fashion, Master Vincent Bowen presses a plunger to detonate explosives to blow up the 120 foot chimneys of the Carrick-on-Suir Creamery. The Shannon (hydroelectric) Scheme was […]

Ireland 1924-1930

The Shannon Scheme

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

The Shannon (hydroelectric) Scheme was a huge development by the Irish Free State in the 1920s. The aim was to harness the power of the River Shannon (Ireland’s longest river) and, through the Ardnacrusha Power Plant in County Clare, produce electricity across the country. The Shannon Scheme was officially opened on July 22nd 1929. One […]

Ireland 1924-1930

His Grace, The Archbishop of Dublin

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

The Church of Saint Vincent De Paul in Marino was completed in 1928 on the old Charlemont estate. In this newsreel the Archbishop of Dublin, Dr. Edward Byrne, is seen blessing it with holy water as a huge crowd of people gather outside the church.

Ireland 1924-1930

Impressive Religious Ceremony

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

This newsreel shows the Archbishop of Dublin blessing the new Church at Crooksling Sanatorium. The Crooksling Sanatorium was established by the Dublin Joint Hospital Board, at Brittas, Dublin in 1911. It was founded to help prevent consumption (a term once used to describe diseases like TB). Here the bishop walks around the building with other […]

Ireland 1924-1930

Irish President in America

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

In January 1928, President William T. Cosgrave visited the USA and Canada, showcasing Ireland’s achievements on many radio broadcasts and events. This newsreel shows him arriving in New York on a boat and being greeted by bodyguards and US Dignitaries. His visit was a productive one politically but while on route to Ottawa from New […]

Ireland 1924-1930

The New Cork

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

This 1927 newsreel presents a ‘New Cork’ following the devastating destruction caused to Cork city during The War of Independence. The camera travels down Patrick Street where we see some of the newly rebuilt buildings like Cash’s, Egan’s, Roches Stores and the Munster Arcade. This construction happened within a few years and helped create new […]

Ireland 1924-1930

Pictures of Mr. de Valera

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

This newsreel released by Pathé in June 1927 shows Éamon de Valera and his entire Fianna Fáil Party of 40 posing for the camera during the Elections. The launch of the Fianna Fáil Party happened the prior year, on May 16th 1926. Countess Markievicz is seen sitting beside de Valera with a broken arm (She […]

Ireland 1924-1930

Unique Boxing Event

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

This newsreel shows a ‘unique boxing event’ from 1926 at McKee Barracks in Dublin. Teams representing the British and Free State Armies meet for the first time in an inter-army Boxing Contest.

Ireland 1924-1930

Dublin Calling

28th March 2018

Archive Player 1

Dublin 1925 and in this newsreel the press launch is taking place for the first broadcast Radio station in the Irish Free State, 2RN. The long wooden building (Nissen Hut) was home to the transmitter based in McKee Barracks beside the Phoenix Park at Blackhorse Avenue and their studio was located on Little Denmark Street […]

Ireland 1924-1930

Longford Memorial

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

August 27th 1925: A memorial to the fallen soldiers who fought in World War I is revealed in the main square of Longford town by Major General Sir William Hickie, who commanded the 16th Irish Division. Southern ex-servicemen pay tribute and remember the dead, while wreaths and flowers are laid at the foot of the […]

Ireland 1924-1930

Connemara’s Appeal

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

This newsreel shows the hardship endured by the people of Connemara following the economic recession that came in the wake of political turmoil. Ireland was in a ruinous state, following the War of Independence, the Civil War and economic depression. Between 1923 and 1924, wages were cut by 16%, the old age pension was reduced […]

Ireland 1924-1930

Solving Boundary Question

28th March 2018

Archive Player 0

This newsreel dates from December 11th 1924. It shows members of the Boundary Commission beginning, what is described as, a ‘purely informal’ tour of the boundary wall. Although the names of the commissioners are not given, they are most likely Dr. Eoin Mac Neil, J.R Fisher and Mr. Justice Feetham. The border wall was a […]