Collection
The Bord Fáilte Collection
11 items
Some of the largest collections held by the IFI Irish Film Archive come from Government departments and State and semi state bodies. Apart from their educational and entertainment value in a country that did not have its own television station until 1961, these state-sponsored produced films are noteworthy not only for their high production values and interesting content, but also for the calibre of those involved in their creation. Luminaries of the Irish acting world would often make a appearances, and at a time when the Irish film industry was underdeveloped and opportunities for technical training were limited, important figures such as Louis Marcus, Bob Monks, Colm Ó Laoghaire, George Fleischmann, Gerard Healy and Rex Roberts all found gainful employment in their production.
Films made for Bord Fáilte provide not only a beautiful record of Ireland’s landscape and topography throughout the 20th century, but also serve to illustrate the development of the Irish tourist industry and the image that ‘brand’ Ireland was endeavouring to project, as it marketed itself as an international tourist destination.
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5m 49s
Experience the beauty of the Irish countryside in a horse-drawn caravan.
This 1974 film highlights the many unique experiences that await tourists when they travel through Ireland in a horse-drawn barrel-top caravan. Accompanying three young holiday-makers on their leisurely journey around Ireland, the viewer experiences the country the way it should be experienced, at a slow and gentle pace.Whether it’s cooking over an open fire, stopping for a pint, or a sing-song in a traditional Irish pub, tourists can enjoy a holiday clip-clopping along at their own pace. Just don’t forget to feed your horse.
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14m 33s
Galway old and new, is captured in glorious colour in this 1957 Bord Fáilte (now Fáilte Ireland) tourism film produced and directed by Colm Ó Laoghaire.
Situated on the west coast of Ireland, Galway is one of the largest cities in Ireland and boasts a complex history dating back to medieval times. The film highlights the city’s many wonderful historic buildings and points of interest such as market days, picturesque thatched cottages, the Taibhdhearc Theatre, the Galway Blazers hunting club and the electric atmosphere at the world renowned Galway Races.
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28m 48s
This tourism promotional film was produced in 1982 by Bord Fáilte (now known as Fáilte Ireland) and presents Ireland and its rich history as an attractive holiday destination.
From the bustling streets of Dublin during the St Patrick’s Day Parade, to the serene calm of the River Shannon, this film, directed by Louis Marcus, shows the breadth of choice Ireland has to offer any visitor.
The 1980s were especially difficult times for Ireland. With high unemployment rates resulting in mass emigration, the country relied heavily on tourism to sustain the economy. Films like this one proved a useful tool in promoting the country to foreign travellers as an ideal place to visit, by showcasing the nation’s cultural and natural amenities. With extensive improvements in transportation and local infrastructure, coupled with extensive marketing plans to promote Irish heritage, Ireland quickly became a busy tourist destination in the ‘80s and ‘90s.
Discovering Ireland is part of The Louis Marcus Collection on the IFI Archive Player.
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10m 29s
This silent tourism film made for the Irish Tourist Association (the precursor of Bord Fáilte and Fáilte Ireland) provides a warmly-hued panorama of 1940s Dublin.
Dublin is presented as a city of romance and contrasts which has survived countless changes through a thousand years of history. On this particular day Croke Park was packed to capacity as Limerick took on Kilkenny in the 1940 All Ireland Hurling Final. Going into the city centre, Dublin trams can be seen passing through a busy O’Connell Street, past Nelson’s Pillar (now home to The Spire) towards Bank of Ireland on College Green. The infamous Moore Street Market is a hive of activity, full of busy shoppers looking for a bargain, in complete contrast to the tranquil gardens of Stephen’s Green, where people are sprawled out on sun loungers making the most of a blissfully sunny day. As the film proudly states, “to the visitor, it is a city of pleasure offering every amenity for enjoyment and happiness”.
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10m 54s
An early travelogue made by the Irish Tourist Association (later Bord Fáilte and now Fáilte Ireland) to promote Galway as an attractive tourist destination. The film provides a scenic history of Galway city and its immediate surroundings.
In warmly glowing colours the treasures of Galway city are shown: Eyre Square, the campus of University College Galway, the Church of St. Nicholas and the Galway Races. The film also features remarkable scenes of the thatched cottages in The Claddagh Village, one of the oldest fishing villages in Ireland, located just outside the city walls where the Corrib meets Galway Bay.
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31m 13s
The Irish title translates as One Hundred Thousand Welcomes and that is what awaits the visitor to Ireland in this short film produced by the Film Unit of the National Bus Companies and presented by the Irish Tourist Board.
Opening with a 1916 rebel singalong in 'the smoke-filled atmosphere' of the Dublin’s Abbey Tavern the film then begins a pleasant bus journey winding through a host of sun-washed Irish towns and villages and happens upon a wealth of historic ruins dating back to early Christian times.
Céad Míle Fáilte presents a warm and welcoming country and promotes the joys of exploring it on a comfortable and efficient Irish bus.
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14m 01s
This early example of a state-sponsored promotional film was made in 1936 and showcases the sunny south coast of Ireland and everything it has to offer to a first-time visitor to Ireland.
Made by the Irish Tourist Association, the film briefly visits Cork City showing that from the busy shopping centre of Patrick’s Street, to the Bell tower of Shandon, Cork is an eclectic, vibrant city. It then lingers at the remote outposts of Mizen Head, Garnish, and Dunquin, as the province of Munster is further explored. The viewer discovers the variety of cultural influences the Spanish Armada had on the south of the country, and learns that only a few miles off the shore of Kinsale, Lusitania (the ocean liner destroyed by a German submarine in World War1) sank 20 years prior to this film being made.
A particular treat for audiences is a visit to the Blasket islands, where we see the residents take a boat out to the mainland. Unfortunately, as a result of persistent emigration, the population of the Blaskets declined and was eventually abandoned in 1953 when only 22 inhabitants remained.
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26m 21s
This innovative film made by Colm Ó Laoghaire corresponds the beauty of Irish-made fabrics with the breadth of colour and texture displayed in the Irish countryside.
Commissioned by the Irish tourism board Bord Fáilte to entice visitors to Ireland, this visually-stunning short takes the viewer on a journey through Ireland in 1958 looking at Irish life and landscapes. The work of designer Irene Gilbert and fabrics produced by The Crock of Gold and Gaeltarra Éireann are juxtaposed with scenes of rural beauty all around the country. The film also presents cityscapes in Limerick, Galway and Dublin and exciting activities including the Tóstal Festival, the Spring Show, a hurling match at Croke Park and the Horse Show. The texture and warmth of the visuals are complemented by a soundtrack provided by Radio Éireann Light Orchestra. Irish Gossamer won an award at the Kelowna Film Festival.
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25m 58s
Ireland is beautiful all-year-round but spring is when it really blossoms. Produced by Colm O’ Laoghaire (director of the Amharc Éireann newsreels for Gael-Linn) this film is a celebration of all things Irish and a delightful window on 1950s Eire.
The film focuses on An Tóstal (Irish for “The Pageant”) which was a series of festivals and events established in 1953 to celebrate Irish culture and draw more tourists to the country. The wealth of events and happenings the country are shown. In Dublin President Sean T. O’Kelly launches a parade featuring flower-festooned floats from Aer Lingus while outside The Pale we see Gaelic football and hurling, fly fishing in Lough Corrib, and a traditional music festival in Ennis.
The film was produced in 1957 for Bord Failte Éireann and released in 1958. An Tóstal events were hosted around the country from 1953 until 1958 when they ended everywhere except in Drumshanbo in Co Leitrim where an annual festival still takes place today. The local pride engendered by An Tostal inspired annual clean-up plans which were formalised into the National Tidy Towns Award, which is still going strong.
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28m 56s
This film, aimed at golfing enthusiasts, shows two of Ireland’s most famous golfers Christy O’Connor and Jack B. Carr playing on various golf courses throughout Ireland.
Made by Robert Monks Film Services for Bord Failte Ireland in the 1970s this promotional film highlights the landscape and climate that makes Ireland so suitable for golf. A wealth of golf courses around Ireland are showcased, with the beautiful Irish countryside providing an unmatched backdrop for the game.
J.B Carr represented Ireland in numerous amateur golfing events throughout his long career. In 2007 he was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category followed by Christy O’Connor (or “Wristy Christy” as he was also known) two years later. Both golfers dominated Irish Golf throughout the ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s and were revered as national heroes who famously took on international giants and beat them.
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2m 16s
This beautifully-animated short made in 1956 takes a humorous approach to the promotion of tourism in Ireland.
Next to agriculture, tourism was Ireland’s biggest industry and this short film highlighted its benefits for everyone in Ireland. Made for Bord Fáilte, the Irish tourist board, by Irish advertising agency O’Kennedy-Brindley and British cinema advertising company Pearl and Dean Productions, this quirky animation encourages Irish people to keep their locality tidy and to be welcoming and professional at all times. An amusing scenario contrasts the violent reception given by the Celts to Viking invaders with the warm welcome we now give to visitors. Humour is also used to help visualise the positive impact tourism has on the economy as a whole. It’s not just those in the hospitality industry that benefit from tourism, but a host of other professionals; from bakers , to farmers, to factory workers. The message is that if everyone helps to provide a good experience in whatever area they are in, we will all benefit from those who “return for the hearts they left in Ireland”.