IFI Irish Film Archive

The Border

Year2019 Duration1m 42s AmbassadorIrish Film Institute

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.

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.

6m 16s

Mr. Alfred Byrne Lord Mayor of Dublin

In this sound newsreel the Lord Major of Dublin, Alfred (Alfie) Byrne, discusses Anglo-Irish relations and the prospect of a United Ireland in this speech from 1936. Seated comfortably in an armchair in a garden and wearing his mayoral chain of office, Mayor Alfie Byrne assures Pathé Gazette viewers that there is no serious animosity between the North and South of Ireland and recommends removal of the border (which he refers to as a ‘festering sore’). He criticises the abusive political language of both unionists and republicans as, according to him, it ‘will not bring prosperity’, and finishes his speech by expressing his dream of a border-free Ireland in the near future. Alfred Byrne was a working politician who served ten times as Lord Mayor of Dublin. 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 45s

Religion in the Irish Free State

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.

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.

3m 53s

Irish Republic Proclaimed

This newsreel shows enthusiastic celebrations on the streets of Dublin as legislation creating the Irish Republic is passed. On 18th April 1949, The Republic of Ireland Act came into force. It declared that Ireland may officially be described as the Republic of Ireland and that the President of Ireland had the executive authority of the state in its external relations. This momentous event in Irish history is documented in this newsreel from with a collection of dignitaries including President Seán T O’Kelly and his wife, Lord Mayor of Dublin John Breen, Maud Gonne and Éamon de Valera, arriving at St. Mary’s Pro-Cathedral Dublin, for the ceremony. Crowds of people gather on O’Connell Street as the Irish Republic flag is hoisted and a salute is fired on top of the GPO. Celebrations continue as the Irish Army march by, along with Irish pipers, howitzers and armoured cars. 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.