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Drama

My Life for Ireland

1st March 2017

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Ireland, Easter, 1916. In Dublin, Irish rebel Patrick Pearse leads a revolt to free Ireland from the grips of the British Empire. Owen, a young Irish patriot, wants to join them in their fight for freedom. Funded by Fís Éireann/ Screen Ireland (formerly Bord Scannán na hÉireann/the Irish Film Board), After ’16 is a creative […]

Documentary

A Father’s Letter

1st March 2017

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On the eve of his execution on May 7th 1916, Michael Mallin’s two-year-old son Joseph was brought to see him in Kilmainham Gaol. That night, his father wrote a letter that would change Joseph’s life forever. In it he tells his family that he loves them and asks his little boy to be a priest. […]

Drama

Mr. Yeats and the Beastly Coins

24th February 2017

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In the wake of the Irish Civil War and the establishment of the new Irish Free State, this film documents the creation of a new coinage for Ireland in 1926. Poet, William Butler Yeats was already an internationally renowned figure when invited to chair the design committee for a set of coins which would proudly befit the new state. However, not everyone […]

Christmas

Christmas in the City – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 237

6th December 2016

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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

Christmas Morning

6th December 2016

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Directed by Tiernan MacBride, this short film – nominated for a Palme d’Or in 1978 for Best Short Film – is a visual representation of the Irish folk song Arthur McBride and The Sergeant, played and sung by Irish singer Paul Brady. The lyrics tell the story of Arthur McBride (Paul Bennett) and his cousin […]

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 […]

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 […]

1960s-1980s

Puss in Boots Panto – Amharc Éireann: Eagrán 83

5th December 2016

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The legendary Panto Puss in Boots comes to Our Lady’s Hall, Mourne Road, Drimnagh. This amateur production has the whole community busily involved. Locals from Crumlin and Drimnagh offer their spare time and skills to help production, from acting and costume design to set design, electrics and carpentry. This is a play made by the […]

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 […]