IFI Irish Film Archive

Religion in the Irish Free State

Duration3m 45s AmbassadorIrish Film Institute

Brenda Malone, Curator of Military History at The National Museum of Ireland, examines religion in the nation including the performance by famous Irish tenor Count John McCormack at the 1929 Catholic Emancipation Centenary Celebration in Cashel, the 1932 The Eucharistic Congress in Dublin and the case of Julia Clarke (a woman sentenced to a month in gaol for kissing her boyfriend). This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.

This newsreel features a laughing Julia Clarke who fled Ireland after being sentenced to one month in gaol for kissing her boyfriend. Julia Clarke, from Glasgow, was sentenced by Dundalk Court for kissing her boyfriend on church property at Blackrock, Co. Louth. According to a news article at the time, ‘the local vigilance committee was shocked and the Dundalk Justices were so scandalised that, although Miss Clarke already had returned home to Glasgow, they passed the sentence “with a view to keeping her out of the country for ever”. Her unnamed boyfriend had already appeared before the Court and was ordered to pay a small fine. Ms. Clarke was the first woman sentenced under Eamon de Valera’s ‘Vice Act’. In this newsreel, she doesn’t appear too worried about the sentence. This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.

3m 28s

Fundraising and Manufacturing

Brenda Malone, Curator of Military History at The National Museum of Ireland, explores the 1937 Irish Hospital Sweepstakes Pigeon Derby in Dublin and a 1929 Civic Week Pageant of Industry in Dublin, showcasing over sixty different manufacturers. This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.

1m 42s

The Border

Brenda Malone, Curator of Military History at The National Museum of Ireland, discusses the creation of checks and controls of the Irish Border and the affect it had on the lives of people in the region. She references early footage of border controls, a speech made by Lord Mayor Alfie Byrne and how this is an ongoing issue in Ireland in 2019. This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.

2m 33s

Tourism as an Industry

Brenda Malone, Curator of Military History at The National Museum of Ireland, explores brand Ireland promoted by British Pathé as a tourist destination. Aspects of Ireland's beautiful landscapes are uncovered including Glendalough, The Giant's Causeway, Kerry's Lartigue Monorail and how the sleepy village of Ennis is dealing with the increase of transatlantic flights at Shannon airport. This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.

1m 39s

Rural and Urban Modernisation

Brenda Malone, Curator of Military History at The National Museum of Ireland, discusses the contrasting aspects between rural and urban modernisation in the Irish Free State, from the development of electricity and the Shannon Scheme to potato blight in Connemara and coracle making near the River Boyne. This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.

2m 17s

A Million People Kneel in Worship

The Eucharistic Congress, one of the largest public events to ever take place in Ireland, occurred between the 22nd and 26th of June 1932. As part of the 31st Congress clergy and lay people from all over the world came to celebrate the ‘Holy Eucharist’ in Dublin. The vast scale of the final Congress mass was filmed by many Irish and international filmmakers and newsagencies and showcased the piety of the Irish people. A large crowd gather to pray at Phoenix Park, Dublin, as Michael Joseph Curley, Archbishop of Baltimore begins a mass service. At O’Connell Bridge, on a specially erected altar, Papal Legate, Cardinal Lauri gives benediction. O’Connell Street is thronged with people and political figures Éamon de Valera, newly elected president of the executive council, and Minister Seán T. O’Kelly join the devotions. This film is part of The Irish Independence Film Collection – The Early Irish Free State that explores facets of Irish society after the War of Independence and up to the birth of the Irish Republic.