Collection
Christmas Crackers
20 items
Christmas is a time for nostalgia and reminiscence about years gone by. This delightfully varied collection will trigger all sorts of memories of Christmases past.
Once again this collection of films from the IFI Irish Film Archive is a gift from us to all those who are home and those who are thinking of home. We hope it makes you feel a little closer to the people and places you yearn for.
With thanks to the filmmakers who so generously agreed to be part of the collection. This programme is kindly supported by Culture Ireland.
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6m 44s
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 MacBride (Paul Bennett) and his cousin (Paul Wilson) who fight off a recruiting sergeant (Godfrey Quigley) when he tries to enlist them in the British army. The song itself is an old Irish anti-war song, and it is reported to have originated around 1840. It has been performed by many artists over the years including Bob Dylan.
Tiernan MacBride was the son of politician Seán Mac Bride and grandson of revolutionary Maud Gonne. MacBride was a key figure in the establishment of many prominent film related organisations including the first Irish Film Board. The Library at the IFI is named after him in honour of his many years as a passionately engaged board member of the Irish Film Institute.
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59s
The moving crib on Parnell Square is a popular Dublin Christmas tradition.
Is traidisiún a bhfuil dúil ag daoine ann um Nollaig i mBaile Átha Cliath é an mainséar beo ar Chearnóg Parnell.
Produced by Gael Linn, Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) is Ireland’s first long-running indigenous newsreel series. It was distributed to cinemas throughout the country to promote the Irish language. Between 1956 and 1964, 267 editions of the newsreel were produced for cinema exhibition.
With kind permission of Gael Linn.
Léirithe ag Gael Linn, ba í Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) an chéad sraith dhúchasach de nuachtríleanna fadbhunaithe in Éirinn. Dháiltí iad ar phictiúrlanna ar fud na tíre leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Idir 1956 agus 1964, léiríodh 267 eagrán de na nuachtríleanna le taispeáint sa phictiúrlann.
Le caoinchead ó Gael Linn.
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13m 00s
A young boy teeters on the brink of innocence as Santa chokes on a Christmas snack, expires, and is buried in the garden pond. This deadpan Cork-set comedy, directed by renowned playwright and screenwriter Enda Walsh (Disco Pigs, Hunger), sees an early exploration of the kind of domestic dysfunction that appears in his later works for stage and screen. The cast includes Oscar Cotter (as Kevin) and Rose O’Neill and Jack Healy as his Mammy and Daddy.
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16s
This short advertisement for Odlum’s cream flour, featuring the Odlum's owl, tells how their flour makes the best Christmas cakes and pies, while Santa sits laughing at the end of the table.
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3m 52s
December 1963: Dublin is humming with excitement as crowds gather to see the Christmas lights and partake in some festive shopping.
Mí na Nollaig 1963: Tá muintir Bhaile Átha Cliath lán sceitimíní agus na sluaite ag bailiú le chéile chun soilse na Nollag a fheiceáil agus siopadóireacht na féile a dhéanamh.
Produced by Gael Linn, Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) is Ireland’s first long-running indigenous newsreel series. It was distributed to cinemas throughout the country to promote the Irish language. Between 1956 and 1964, 267 editions of the newsreel were produced for cinema exhibition.
With kind permission of Gael Linn.
Léirithe ag Gael Linn, ba í Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) an chéad sraith dhúchasach de nuachtríleanna fadbhunaithe in Éirinn. Dháiltí iad ar phictiúrlanna ar fud na tíre leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Idir 1956 agus 1964, léiríodh 267 eagrán de na nuachtríleanna le taispeáint sa phictiúrlann.
Le caoinchead ó Gael Linn.
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16m 00s
Orla Walsh’s irreverent nativity tale of a woman who seeks divine intervention when she thinks she is
pregnant but is unsure who the father is. Filmmaker Orla Walsh has made several short dramas, some serious, some comedic and all foregrounding women’s issues viewed through a feminist lens. Here she addresses the serious issue of unplanned pregnancy but with a bold and humorous tone. She is well served by her cast which includes Stella Feehily, Paul Roe and Conor Mullen.
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47s
The freezing annual Dublin Swimming Club Christmas swim is underway at the Clontarf Baths.
Tá snámh reoite bliantúil ag Club Snámha um Nollaig Bhaile Átha Cliath ar siúl ag Folcadáin Chluain Tarbh.
Produced by Gael Linn, Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) is Ireland’s first long-running indigenous newsreel series. It was distributed to cinemas throughout the country to promote the Irish language. Between 1956 and 1964, 267 editions of the newsreel were produced for cinema exhibition.
With kind permission of Gael Linn.
Léirithe ag Gael Linn, ba í Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) an chéad sraith dhúchasach de nuachtríleanna fadbhunaithe in Éirinn. Dháiltí iad ar phictiúrlanna ar fud na tíre leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Idir 1956 agus 1964, léiríodh 267 eagrán de na nuachtríleanna le taispeáint sa phictiúrlann.
Le caoinchead ó Gael Linn.
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16s
This short advertisement promotes the Macardles 6-pack of beer as a take-home beer for the Christmas season. The advertisement shows a series of still images depicting people enjoying Macardles at Christmas.
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3m 08s
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. The streets were lit up with a canopy of fairy lights and each shop window was adorned with gifts and decorations. Shoppers bustled through Moore Street and Henry Street ready to snatch up a bargain as the children gazed at the classic toys and goodies on display.
Produced by Gael Linn, Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) is Ireland’s longest-running indigenous newsreel series. It was distributed to cinemas throughout the country to promote the Irish language. The first 36 issues were produced as single-topic films which were released monthly, followed in 1959 by weekly, multi-story newsreels featuring a broad range of topics, from hard news stories to lighter magazine-style items. Between 1956 and 1964, 267 editions of the newsreel were produced for cinema exhibition.
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18m 00s
Karen (Nora-Jane Noone), a young single mother in border town Newry, is numbed by routine and her mundane existence as a supermarket shelf stacker. Amusement arcade slot machines have become her secret thrill and addiction. Her eight-year-old daughter Laura (Tina Maxwell) dreams of Christmas presents and sunny exotic family holidays, adding further pressure to Karen’s struggle to cope. As Karen’s close relationships begin to fracture, her decisions become more irrational. With Christmas looming, a desperate hope for a big win sees her life spiral out of control.
Cathy Brady has mastered the art of the short film form. Small Change, like her other films, captures a fully realised character in crisis, and positions her within a wholly convincing, humdrum world. Brady’s collaboration with Nora-Jane Noone continues in her debut feature Wildfire. This film is part of F-Rated: Short Films by Irish Women.
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59s
Mr and Mrs Carr brave the cold waters at Balscadden Bay as onlookers cheer them on, in awe of this chilly Christmas tradition.
Thug an tUasal Carr agus a bhean chéile aghaidh ar uisce fuar Bhá Bhaile Scadán agus lucht féachana á spreagadh, agus iad faoi gheasa ag an traidisiún fuar seo um Nollaig.
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15m 00s
A fictional story of a young woman who unexpectedly returns home to Dublin for Christmas. She has been in London for ten months but reveals little about her new life.
Sandra feels alienated from her family and they are clearly resentful about her sudden and unannounced return. The atmosphere is laden with tension, in stark contrast to traditional depictions of happy families at Christmastime, a contrast which is underscored by the harmonious sounds of Cantique and The Voice Squad. Sandra is reminded of the difficulties which forced her to leave home. Faced with renewed hostility, she chooses not to disclose the truth of her new life and after a brief and unhappy stay, she returns to London and a life of grinding hardship.
This film is part of F-Rated: Short Films by Irish Women.
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11s
This short advertisement from Macardles wishes viewers a Merry Christmas ‘with the best take home beer.’
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1m 08s
A fun-filled toy fair kicks off in Dublin where visitors are allowed a sneak preview of Christmas stock.
Cuireadh tús le haonach bréagán spraíúil i mBaile Átha Cliath áit a dtugtar réamhamharc do chuairteoirí ar stoc na Nollag.
Produced by Gael Linn, Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) is Ireland’s first long-running indigenous newsreel series. It was distributed to cinemas throughout the country to promote the Irish language. Between 1956 and 1964, 267 editions of the newsreel were produced for cinema exhibition.
With kind permission of Gael Linn.
Léirithe ag Gael Linn, ba í Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) an chéad sraith dhúchasach de nuachtríleanna fadbhunaithe in Éirinn. Dháiltí iad ar phictiúrlanna ar fud na tíre leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Idir 1956 agus 1964, léiríodh 267 eagrán de na nuachtríleanna le taispeáint sa phictiúrlann.
Le caoinchead ó Gael Linn.
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13m 00s
This short drama captures the excitement of Dublin city centre on Christmas Eve when travellers return home, the streets are filled with last-minute shoppers and there is always the chance of an unexpected encounter. A young man (Vinny Murphy) and woman (Cindy Cummings), once romantically involved, bump into each other on Grafton Street. Old memories are revisited over pints in the Stag’s Head and later, old passions reignite. This short drama made by Hugh Linehan (now Irish Times Arts and Culture Editor) was warmly nostalgic upon release and is even more so now. At a remove of nearly 30 years it is a pleasure to see Dublin streets and Dublin characters in the early ’90s when Brown Thomas was on the other side of the Grafton Street and Switzers Christmas window was as magical as can be.
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9m 12s
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 captures a rare honesty and authenticity thanks to Hickey’s location recording of the unscripted conversation between the swimmers. The film follows one club member on his bicycle journey through the Dublin Docklands, Ringsend and Irishtown and along the South Wall to the Half Moon Club which is located mid-way down the pier. He joins fellow club-members for a winter swim – and later they participate in the chilly, annual Christmas Day race.
The Half Moon Swim club was founded in 1898 and continues to uphold a long-standing winter sea swimming tradition on the Great South Wall to the present day.
With kind permission from Barry Lyons.
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16s
This short advertisement promotes Player’s No. 6 cigarettes as a gift for all your friends at Christmas.
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17s
This advertisement advises the public not to forget the bread sauce for Christmas dinner by depicting a disappointed man having Christmas dinner without it.
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1m 31s
Dubliners prepare for Christmas and visit Pim Brothers & Co department store to ride on ‘the magic gondola’ and visit Santa in his grotto.
Muintir Bhaile Átha Cliath ag ullmhú don Nollaig agus cuairt tugtha acu ar shiopa ilrannach Pim Brothers & Co chun dul ar an ‘ghondala draíochta’ agus cuairt a thabhairt ar Dhaidí na Nollag ina uaimh.
Produced by Gael Linn, Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) is Ireland’s first long-running indigenous newsreel series. It was distributed to cinemas throughout the country to promote the Irish language. Between 1956 and 1964, 267 editions of the newsreel were produced for cinema exhibition.
With kind permission of Gael Linn.
Léirithe ag Gael Linn, ba í Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) an chéad sraith dhúchasach de nuachtríleanna fadbhunaithe in Éirinn. Dháiltí iad ar phictiúrlanna ar fud na tíre leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Idir 1956 agus 1964, léiríodh 267 eagrán de na nuachtríleanna le taispeáint sa phictiúrlann.
Le caoinchead ó Gael Linn.
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43s
Oscar-winning actor Dame Margaret Rutherford visits Trinity College to help promote the launch of charity Christmas cards.
Thug an t-aisteoir Oscar-bhuaiteach, Dame Margaret Rutherford, cuairt ar Choláiste na Tríonóide chun cabhrú le seoladh cártaí carthanachta na Nollag a chur chun cinn.
Produced by Gael Linn, Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) is Ireland’s first long-running indigenous newsreel series. It was distributed to cinemas throughout the country to promote the Irish language. Between 1956 and 1964, 267 editions of the newsreel were produced for cinema exhibition.
With kind permission of Gael Linn.
Léirithe ag Gael Linn, ba í Amharc Éireann (A View of Ireland) an chéad sraith dhúchasach de nuachtríleanna fadbhunaithe in Éirinn. Dháiltí iad ar phictiúrlanna ar fud na tíre leis an Ghaeilge a chur chun cinn. Idir 1956 agus 1964, léiríodh 267 eagrán de na nuachtríleanna le taispeáint sa phictiúrlann.
Le caoinchead ó Gael Linn.