Collection

Ireland 1924-1930

23 items

51s

300,000 at Demonstration

300,000 people attend a demonstration at a Ulster Loyalist meeting in Omagh. A man is seen giving a speech on a podium to the huge crowd, some carrying Union flags and others with signs with place names on such as Ballycawley and Clocher. The termloyalistwas first used in Irish politics in the 1790s to refer to Protestants who opposedCatholic Emancipationand Irish independence from Great Britain.Upon thepartition of Irelandin 1921, six of the nine counties in the province ofUlsterdid not join the newly independentIrish Free State(later theRepublic of Ireland) and remained a part of theUnited Kingdom.

41s

Armistice Day Dublin

In this newsreel from November 11th 1924, 50,000 people gather at College Green in Dublin to honour the 35,000 Irish soldiers who died fighting in World War One. As wreaths are being laid out in front of a memorial, and men bow their heads to the 16th Irish Division, we are told a spontaneous rendition of “God Save The King” is sang as the Union Jack is raised over Parliament House (now Bank of Ireland).

1m 02s

Curragh Stable Lads Strike

The early 1920s were a turbulent time for Ireland. Following the War of Independence and The Civil War, Ireland experienced a severe economic depression. Farmers in the west of Ireland were the most severely hit with poor harvest prospects and little to no employment prospects. One industry that was still thriving during these difficult economic times was Horse racing. In 1922 differences were briefly put aside during the Civil War to find the winner of the 1922 Irish Derby. Horse racing was still proving to be financially fruitful, however the downturn in the home economy had encouraged owners to reduce training fees. In this newsreel from the Curragh in 1924, the impact of the downturn in the economy is shown as stable boys sit on fence striking after having their wages cut.

1m 26s

Dublin Calling

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 (it would later move to the GPO in 1928). The name 2RN, is said to be inspired by the last three syllables of the song, “Come Back to Erin”.

46s

His Grace, The Archbishop of Dublin

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 huge crowd of people gather outside the church.

46s

Impressive Religious Ceremony

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 to help prevent consumption (a term once used to describe diseases like TB) amongst the poor. Here the bishop walks around the building with other clergymen sprinkling holy water as a crowd of people watch from a porch beside the door.

51s

Ireland’s Great New Harbour

In this newsreel William T. Cosgrave opens the new Harbour in Waterford, December 1929. President Cosgrave delivers a speech and cuts the ribbon to the applause of the crowd. Between 1926 and 1929, the Irish Government carried out a review of all ports in Ireland. The harbour was crucial for Waterford as shipbuilding was a major business for the city as well as for exporting timber, oat, bacon, butter and livestock.

33s

Irish President in America

In January 1928, President William T. Cosgrave visited the US and Canada, showcasing Ireland’s achievements on many radio broadcasts and events. This newsreel shows him arriving at 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 York he narrowly survived a train crash. William Thomas Cosgrave succeeded Michael Collins as Chairman of the Irish Provisional Government from August to December 1922 and then served as President of the Irish Free State from 1922 to 1932.

2m 06s

Longford Memorial

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 obelisk. Two Victoria Cross recipients can been seen with their medals on their chests. The Victoria Cross medal was the highest and most prestigious award for acts of valour and gallantry in the field of war, given to armed forces of some Commonwealth countries and previous British Empire territories.

42s

Pictures of Mr. de Valera

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 died one month after this photo call was taken on July 15th 1927).

1m 15s

Remembrance Day Bray

November 1924, a day of remembrance in Bray. This newsreel shows a crowd of people lining up to show gratitude to the 200 people from Bray who died in World War 1. A moment’s silence is observed before veterans, women and children decorate the base of the memorial with wreaths. This was one of the first memorials of the Free State and was unveiled by Lord Powerscourt.

1m 04s

Solving Boundary Question

This newsreel from December 11th 1924, 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 delicate issue and the Irish Boundary Commission was set up and met on numerous occasions between 1924 and 1925 to discuss the exact delineation of the border between the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. On December 3rd 1925 the final agreement on the border was signed.

1m 59s

The New Cork

Following the devastating destruction caused to Cork city during The War of Independence, this newsreel from 1927 presents a “New Cork”. 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 jobs in the city. The majority of the banks and churches remained unaffected by the troubles and still stand tall as some of the most architecturally beautiful structures in the Rebel County. The slightly jittery footage from this newsreel was possibly acquired by placing the camera on top of tram as it passes through the city.

32s

Unique Boxing Event

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.

1m 54s

"Irish Catholic Ceremony at Castle / Cashel of the Kings"

This newsreel shows the Catholic Emancipation Centenary Celebration which took place at the Rock of Cashel in June 1929. This was the first time mass was celebrated on the Rock in 300 years. Count John McCormack, a famous Irish tenor can be seen performing to the enormous crowd during the Mass. The Rock of Cashel comprises five buildings, the oldest of which, the Round Tower, dates from the early 12th Century. The outstanding Romanesque chapel, named after King Cormac, dates from the same period, while construction on the largest building on the site, the Cathedral, began in the 1290s.

1m 23s

Over Sixty Manufacturers

Over sixty Dublin manufactures take part in the Civic Week Pageant of Industry in September 1929. The Parade makes its way through O’Connell street, Corporation Fire engines and brands like “Jacob’s Biscuits” and “Guinness” trucks entertain the crowds as they pass through on floats and trucks. The first Irish Civic week Pageant launched in September 1929 at the Mansion house. The aim of the week was to give Dubliners a sense of pride and make them aware of various activities of Dublin people. Various events in addition to this pageant were organised including art exhibitions, theatre shows and a Military tattoo.

42s

The Seat of All The Trouble

This newsreel shows the first images of the 'much debated' Ulster border wall. A member of the Royal Ulster Constabulary stands guard, looking over the dry stone wall in Belleek, County Fermanagh. Another stands guard at the top of a turret under an Irish National Flag. The border wall was a delicate issue and the Irish Boundary Commission was set up and met on numerous occasions between 1924 and 1925, to discuss the exact delineation of the border between the Irish Free State and Northern Ireland. On December 3rd 1925 the final agreement on the border was signed.

1m 01s

The GPO Reopens After 13 Years

This newsreel marks a momentous occasion in Irish history, the formal reopening of the GPO on O’Connell Street. President William T. Cosgrave stands alongside T.D.s and Senators on a platform in front of the newly rebuilt General Post Office. The President addresses the huge crowd that has gathered and the tricolour is raised. Following the devastating destruction of the Easter Rising 13 years before, only the front façade and portico remained, everything else was left in ruin. The rebuilt GPO had much of its internal layout altered and was nearly doubled in size. The GPO is more than just a place of business it is also a symbol and a reminder of the events that touched the lives of generations of Irish citizens.

3m 37s

Connemara’s Appeal

Following the War of Independence, the Civil War and economic depression, Ireland was in a ruinous state. Between 1923 and 1924, wages were cut by 16%, the old age pension was reduced by 10% and a seven day working week was introduced. For farmers, especially in the west of Ireland, harvests were particularly poor and animal stocks died in large numbers due to hunger related diseases and turf, the main fuel resource could not dry due to the wet damp weather. By the beginning of 1925, hundreds of thousands of people were in dire need. In this newsreel we get a glimpse of some of the struggles people in Connemara (considered one of the most impoverished regions) experienced. The conditions were so dire that, even with government aid grants of £500,000, these conditions resulted in many deaths and widespread suffering.

46s

The Shannon Scheme

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 Clare, produce electricity across the country. The Shannon Scheme was officially opened on 22nd July 1929. One of the largest engineering projects of its day, it served as a model for large-scale electrification projects worldwide. Operated by the Electricity Supply Board of Ireland, it had an immediate impact on the social, economic and industrial development of Ireland.

38s

Preparing for the Electricity Era

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 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 Clare, produce electricity across the country. The Shannon Scheme was officially opened on July 22nd 1929. One of the largest engineering projects of its day, it served as a model for large-scale electrification projects worldwide. Operated by the Electricity Supply Board of Ireland, it had an immediate impact on the social, economic and industrial development of Ireland.

3m 56s

President Cosgrave

In this newsreel from November 1930, President William T. Cosgrave speaks to the camera (for the first time with sound) addressing Ireland and “her status and International affairs”. In this heavily edited newsreel (an exclusive to Pathé) he talks about the international and economic struggles that face everyone at this time, as well as Ireland being slightly detached from the world due to its rural economic situation. William Thomas Cosgrave succeeded Michael Collins as Chairman of the Irish Provisional Government from August to December 1922 and then served as President of the Irish Free State from 1922 to 1932.

1m 37s

Ireland Healing Her Wounds

October 1925, 3 years after the “Battle of the Four Courts’’ , when it was nearly destroyed by shellfire in a republican outbreak, Ireland’s main courthouse building is rising from its ashes as work is carried out to rebuild and repair it to its former glory. Following the War of Independence, much of Dublin city centre was destroyed with many buildings having been completely demolished.