CRs Video VaultsCork actor James N Healy takes a look at the history of Cork accents through the ages.
There’s one thing about us in Cork. We have a beautiful accent.
Cork man James Healy disputes that Dublin view that the Cork accent goes up and down. He does acknowledge that there is more than one accent in Cork but they are all Cork. He says that the Cork accent was started by Saint Finbarr when he came down to Cork from the west of Ireland in the sixth century to build a church. A Scandinavian touch was added to the accent with the arrival of the Danes a few centuries later. Then came the Welsh Normans. After that, the English would arrive for the summer season and add their bit to the vocal cocktail that is the Cork accent. In the 18th century, the French Huguenots arrived contributing the “harsh, shrill side of our accent”.
The accent ranges from the sound of the Cork street trader to the fruity tones of the Montenotte.
In its extreme form, it’s probably like somebody trying to eat a hot potato while giving a confidential message at the same time.
There is also the “Roches Stores” accent but the most genuinely Cork accent is probably that of Blackpool, the living quarters of the Celts who clustered around the northside of the old city. To hear a genuine accent, visit an old Blackpool pub.
This is somewhat nasal, spoken out of the corner of the mouth and with a sense of irony.
This episode of ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ was broadcast on 21 October 1972.
Frank Hall’s amusing and satirical series began on 29 September 1971 with the full title “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator” which became known as “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly”.
The series allowed Frank Hall to follow his own interest in the lives of viewers throughout the country. Regarded as RTE’s flagship comedy show, it featured satirical sketches on current news stories and popular culture, as well as parody songs, comedy sketches, re-edited videos, cartoons and spoof television formats. The show ran for 9 series until 1980.
A Guide to The Cork Accent, Ireland 1972CRs Video Vaults2023-04-08 | Cork actor James N Healy takes a look at the history of Cork accents through the ages.
There’s one thing about us in Cork. We have a beautiful accent.
Cork man James Healy disputes that Dublin view that the Cork accent goes up and down. He does acknowledge that there is more than one accent in Cork but they are all Cork. He says that the Cork accent was started by Saint Finbarr when he came down to Cork from the west of Ireland in the sixth century to build a church. A Scandinavian touch was added to the accent with the arrival of the Danes a few centuries later. Then came the Welsh Normans. After that, the English would arrive for the summer season and add their bit to the vocal cocktail that is the Cork accent. In the 18th century, the French Huguenots arrived contributing the “harsh, shrill side of our accent”.
The accent ranges from the sound of the Cork street trader to the fruity tones of the Montenotte.
In its extreme form, it’s probably like somebody trying to eat a hot potato while giving a confidential message at the same time.
There is also the “Roches Stores” accent but the most genuinely Cork accent is probably that of Blackpool, the living quarters of the Celts who clustered around the northside of the old city. To hear a genuine accent, visit an old Blackpool pub.
This is somewhat nasal, spoken out of the corner of the mouth and with a sense of irony.
This episode of ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ was broadcast on 21 October 1972.
Frank Hall’s amusing and satirical series began on 29 September 1971 with the full title “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator” which became known as “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly”.
The series allowed Frank Hall to follow his own interest in the lives of viewers throughout the country. Regarded as RTE’s flagship comedy show, it featured satirical sketches on current news stories and popular culture, as well as parody songs, comedy sketches, re-edited videos, cartoons and spoof television formats. The show ran for 9 series until 1980.Hurdy Gurdy Man - Donovan, Nigel Kennedy & Brixie, 1991CRs Video Vaults2024-10-21 | Nigel Kennedy, Brix Smith and Donovan perform 'Hurdy Gurdy Man'.
Violinist Nigel Kennedy joins former member of the Fall and his current girlfriend Brix Smith and singer songwriter Donovan to perform a rendition of his song 'Hurdy Gurdy Man’. They are accompanied by members of the Dublin Blues Band.
The threesome got together after Brix Smith had covered the Donovan song.
Gay Byrne introduces the performance saying,
This is very electronic indeed. Wait until you hear these sounds.
This episode of The Late Late Show was broadcast on 8 February 1991. The presenter is Gay Byrne.Paddys Lamentation - Mary Black & De Dannan, 1986CRs Video Vaults2024-10-20 | Mary Black & De Dannan play an emigration song as part of their set at the National Stadium in Dublin.
De Dannan played the National Stadium in September 1985 and the recorded concert was broadcast in February 1986 as part of the Festival Folk series.
The musicians include Johnny (Ringo) McDonagh, Frankie Gavin, Máirtin O'Connor, Alec Finn, Caroline Lavelle, Dolores Keane and Mary Black.
De Dannan perform an emigration song about a man who decides to head to America in search of a better life. Introducing 'Paddy's Lamentation’ Mary Black says the emigrant finds that things are hot in America but there not as hot as he expected.
This episode of ‘Festival Folk’ was broadcast on 10 February 1986. The programme was produced and directed by Ian McGarry.
'Festival Folk' televised concerts from the National Stadium featuring well-known folk singers and musicians.
The first episode in the eleven part series of ‘Festival Folk’ was televised on 9 December 1985. The three programmes featuring De Dannan were broadcast on 10, 17 and 24 February 1986.Halls Pictorial Weekly in Oola, Co. Limerick, Ireland 1979CRs Video Vaults2024-10-19 | The people of the village of Oola in Limerick are the stars of this opening sequence to 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly'.
Some of the Oola residents are not to keen on the camera, as they seek shelter behind hedges, duck into a shop, or simply wheel their bicycles away in the opposite direction.
Surrounded by hills from which its name is most likely derived, Oola, in Irish ‘Na h-Úlla’ or ‘Úlla’ is in the barony of Coonagh. It is situated on the main Limerick to Waterford Road near the Tipperary border. Oola Castle, a sixteenth century ruined tower house, stands not far away.
The village is approximately eight kilometres from Soloheadbeg, site of the first action of the War of Independence on 21 January 1919.Warwick Davis interview, Ireland 1988CRs Video Vaults2024-10-19 | Eighteen year old actor Warwick Davis is the star of his fifth film Willow.
'Willow' is a fantasy movie directed by Ron Howard and written by George Lucas. Warwick Davis plays the title character Willow Ufgood, three foot and four inches in height.
He describes how he ended up getting his first acting role at the age of eleven playing Wicket W Warrick, an Ewok in the film Return of the Jedi.
They saw immediately how short I was and said you're perfect for the part. They didn't care if I could act or not. It was just my height.
In 'Willow' the audience actually gets to see Warwick's face his roles up to this have often involved him wearing elaborate costumes.
This episode of 'Kenny Live' was broadcast on 10 December 1988. The presenter is Pat Kenny.Ray & Dave Davies of The Kinks interview, Ireland 1994CRs Video Vaults2024-10-18 | The Kinks founders Ray and Dave Davies on how the band has endured despite their sometimes feisty relationship.
The brothers Ray and Dave Davies formed the influential rock band The Kinks in London in 1963. They joined the actor, writer, director, and Monty Python member Terry Jones and the New York-based performance artist Penny Arcade as guests on ‘The Late Late Show’.
Ray and Dave Davies have a complex relationship. Over the years they have regularly come to blows.
You beat each other up so much, in the end there’s nothing else to do but to make a truce.
The Kinks have released 24 albums in a recording career spanning three decades. Ray Davies thinks they have managed to keep the band together because,
We're amateurs at heart.
Dave Davies interjects,
Ray's an amateur, I'm a professional.
Pressed by Terry Jones on what he means by amateur Ray Davies explains,
It's that aspect of our music that is doing it for fun.
Dave Davies adds,
Also not to take things too seriously.
The Kinks 1970 hit song ‘Lola’ was almost banned by the BBC for its reference to Coca-Cola. Ray Davies changed the offending lyric to cherry-cola. The more controversial subject at the time of cross-dressing went unnoticed.
It genuinely ended up as a love song.
Hearing ‘Lola’ had a huge impact on Penny Arcade as a 19-year-old,
When it came out, for the gay population, it was like, wow, look here's social commentary in rock and roll that includes everybody.
Tongue firmly in cheek Ray Davies agrees,
Well, I'm a very serious social commentator.
This episode of ‘The Late Late Show’ was broadcast on 14 October 1994. The presenter is Gay Byrne.Sarah - The Revenants, 1999CRs Video Vaults2024-10-18 | The Revenants are the musical guests on The Late Late Show.
The Revenants are on The Late Late Show to perform the song 'Sarah', the first single from their second album 'Septober Nowonder'. The band have just been nominated for three Heineken Hot Press Awards including best songwriter and best album.
Following The Revenants performance presenter Pat Kenny adds,
We can see why they're the hottest band around.
The lineup included former Stars of Heaven frontman Stephen Ryan on vocals and guitar, Don Ryan on keyboards, Chris Heaney on drums, Conor Brady on guitar and Naeem Bismilla on bass.
This episode of 'The Late Late Show' was broadcast on 1 October 1999. The presenter is Pat Kenny.The Lartigue Monorail from Listowel to Ballybunion, Co. Kerry, Ireland 1964CRs Video Vaults2024-10-17 | A monorail system which operated between Listowel and Ballybunion could be an inspiration for solving the traffic problem of some of the world's major cities.
From 1888 to 1924 the steam powered Lartigue monorail operated between the town of Listowel and the seaside resort of Ballybunion, a distance of ten miles.
Carrying passengers, freight and livestock it was developed by the French engineer Charles Lartigue in the nineteenth century. It consisted of pannier-like wagons whose wheels ran on both sides of a single rail mounted on A-shaped trestles.
Damaged during the Civil War the decline of the Lartigue line was hastened when it was made not made part of the Great Southern Railways a company created by the Irish Government in 1925.
Keeping transport history alive for another generation is Michael Ash, who presents a model of the Lartigue to the joint principals of the Boys’ National School Listowel, Bryan MacMahon and Michael Caine. His next project will be a working model of the monorail.
The school already has in its possession a bell used on the first Lartigue, and principal Michael Caine welcomes the gift of the model to the school, which he describes as,
A most excellent model of a unique railway.
It is also a valuable resource for the teaching of local history, as many of the pupils’ ancestors worked on the monorail. One boy Paddy Fitzgerald has donated a collection of train tickets issued to passengers on the Lartigue dating from the early days of its operation up to 1909.
Principal Bryan MacMahon has very happy memories of journeys of travelling to Ballybunion on the monorail. He explains to the boys how hard the guard had to work to ensure the passengers sat on the right seats, as the pannier wagon system meant discrepancies in weight would cause the wagons to tip over.
This led to some very amusing situations.
This report for ‘Newsbeat’ was broadcast on 7 December 1964.Turf Cutting & Sean Nós Singing Sisters of Kilcummin, Co. Galway, Ireland 1989CRs Video Vaults2024-10-16 | Nan, Nora and Sara Grealish reflect on their childhood and growing up in Connemara.
Nan (Áine), Nóra and Sarah Ghriallais were born and raised in Muiceanach Idir Dhá Sháile in the Connemara Gaeltacht, a region known for its song, dance and music.
The sisters are renowned singers and have won multiple singing competitions at Oireachtas na nGael, Oireachtas na Gaeilge and Corn Uí Riada. Nan in particular is famed for her distinctive singing style.
Coming from a family of thirteen children, their parents Máire Cheaitín and Pádhraic Griallais were both singers and the home was where they learned sean nós songs and how to sing them. As Nan puts it
We had the sean nós from the cradle...it just came automatically.
Like their contemporaries and generations before them, the Griallais sisters emigrated to Boston in search of work when they finished school. Nan and Sarah also spent time in England. All three returned to raise their families here in Connemara.
Their father was a boatman who brought turf to the Aran Islands and further afield. After school, the sisters worked together to harvest turf and carry it up to the lorry which would transport it to the boat. Their only brother was among the younger children of the family, so the girls grew up doing jobs on the farm and at home. As Nóra explains,
Anything that had to be done, we had to do it.
Growing up in this remote part of the west in an era when an abundance of food was not a given, Nan recalls that their father’s profession meant that his large family always had enough,
We were never hungry.
This episode of 'I Live Here' was broadcast on 21 January 1989. The producer was Anne McCabe.
'I Live Here' is a series of documentaries about well known people who have a strong attachment and commitment to their home places and how the people, personalities and physicality of their native landscapes influenced in their lives and work.
First broadcast on 21 January 1989, it consisted of twenty programmes aired over twelve months.Bono Meets Fans in Boston, USA 1987CRs Video Vaults2024-10-16 | Fans wait outside U2's hotel in Boston. Bono signs autographs and chats with some of them before being driven to a rehearsal.
Reporter Pat Kenny speaks with U2 fans outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Boston. The fans are gathered there hoping to see the band.
One young woman wants to give Bono a sketch done by a friend. She talks about what U2 and their music mean to her.
Bono comes out of the hotel and speaks with some fans. He signs autographs for girls who have come from Montreal to see the band. Bono takes a photograph of the girls with their camera.
The young woman gives Bono the framed sketch and tells Bono she hopes he finds what he is looking for. Bono is driven away in a limousine.
Pat Kenny talks to the girl who gave Bono the drawing and she is quite overcome with the experience.
Note: The clip shown here is edited from rushes for the 'Today Tonight' report on the success of U2 in America.
'Today Tonight' reported from the USA where U2's album 'Joshua Tree' had just gone to the top of the American charts and the band were on a successful tour. Reporter Pat Kenny spoke to U2 and their manager at their Boston concerts.Life in The Connemara Gaeltacht, Ireland 1969CRs Video Vaults2024-10-15 | Tusicint nua ar an nGaeltacht. A look at modern life in the Connemara Gaeltacht.
For many people, the Connemara Gaeltacht is associated with summer holidays, and tourists are well catered for in villages like An Spidéal.
Teacher Pól Ó Foighil moved to Cois Fharraige from County Tipperary seven years ago and is the founder of Coláiste Lurgan, a Irish language summer school in Indreabhán. He is aware that people need to make a living twelve months of the year, and creating secure employment starts with improving basic infrastructure, such as local water schemes.
Gan usice ní féidir linn dul áith ar bith.
At Rosmuc a Gaeltarra Éireann factory employs thirty people. It is powered by electricity from the ESB Screebe turf-burning power station.
Pádraic Ó Catháin a lecturer in University College Dublin grew up in this area. He shows An Cheathrú Rua, the largest village in the Conemara Gaeltacht which has its own dance hall, bank, national school and comprehensive school.
People here make a living from many jobs, and while living standards in general have improved, he is not happy with modern house building styles which bear little resemblance to traditional Connemara cottages,
Tá na sean-nósanna imithe anois, fiú amháin na tithe.
This episode of 'Gaeltacht’ was broadcast on 13 March 1969. The commentator is Annraoi Ó Liatháin.
'Gaeltacht' was a series of programmes looking at life in the Gaeltacht in the late 1960s. Over the course of a year producer and director Colm O Laoghaire and a film crew visited eight Gaeltacht areas. These are An Rinn (Ring) in Waterford, Bhaile Bhuirne agus Cúil Aodha (Ballyvourney and Coolea) in Cork, Corca Dhuibhne (Corkaguiny) in Kerry, Conamara (Connemara) in Galway, Oileáin Árann (Aran Islands) in Galway, Iorras (Erris) in Mayo, Anagaire, An Fál Carrach, Croithlí, Gaoth Dobhair agus Rann na Feirste (Annagary, Falcarragh, Crolly, Gweedore and Rannafast) in Donegal and Ráth Chairn (Rathcairn) in Meath.
'Gaeltacht' was first broadcast on 13 February 1969.President de Valera Greets President Kennedy, Dublin City, Ireland 1963CRs Video Vaults2024-10-14 | President de Valera makes a speech formally welcoming President Kennedy to Ireland and President Kennedy replies.
Addressing him in both Irish and English, de Valera welcomes him as the first citizen of The United States, as the representative of the country of in which many Irish people sought refuge and found a home, and as a distinguished Irishman.
In his response, President Kennedy highlights the many reasons for accepting the invitation to visit Ireland, including the global role of the Irish diaspora, his admiration for President de Valera and the historic role the Irish have played as soldiers and churchmen. President Kennedy finally points to the generosity of his own country in welcoming immigrants from so many different countries.An Cailín Gaelach (The Irish Girl) - Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Paddy Glackin & Dáithí Sproule, 1989CRs Video Vaults2024-10-13 | Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Paddy Glackin and Dáithí Sproule perform 'An Cailín Gaelach'.
Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill performs the traditional Irish song 'An Cailín Gaelach' (The Irish Girl) accompanied by Paddy Glackin on fiddle and Dáithí Sproule on guitar.
The song is a traditional Irish ballad telling a tale of unrequited love. A young man approaches a woman, speaking to her in Irish. She declines his advances in English.
D'fhiafraigh mé dithe go ciúin 's go céillí 'An nglacfaidh tú póg uaim a stór mo chroí?' D'oscail sí a beilín 'gus labhair sí Béarla 'S é duirt sí 'Pray sir, and let me be'
The song ends with the young man lamenting how an Irish girl would appreciate all that he has to offer. The young man represents the traditional old way of life, whereas she represents the modern English-speaking ways.
Renowned collector of traditional music Seán O Boyle collected this song from Áodh Ó Duibheannaigh in Ranafast, County Donegal in the 1930s. Since then, the song has become a staple in the traditional Irish music canon.
This episode of 'Iris '89’ was broadcast on 15 July 1989. The presenter is Bríd Óg Ní Bhuachalla.
The Irish language series 'Iris' (meaning ‘journal’ or ‘magazine’) was first broadcast on 19 February 1985.
Presented by Michael Davitt and Maireád Ní Nuadháin it featured a wide range of topics. Its main focus was on issues affecting Gaeltacht communities and Gaeilgeoirí but it also contained reports on the arts, traditional music and current affairs.
Reporters were Maireád Ní Nuadháin, Michael Davitt, Eamon Ó Muirí, Pat Butler, Eoghan Ó Tuairisc, Breandán Ó Tuairisg, Áine Ní Ghlinn and Brídóg Ní Bhuachalla.
The series was produced by Cian Ó hEigeartaigh and Tony MacMahon, Brian Mac Lochlainn, Aindreas Ó Gallchóir, Michael McCarthy, Gerry Murray, Donall Farmer, Mícheál Ó Conaola and Tish Barry. ‘Iris’ ran until 1990.Are You a Male Chauvinist? Ireland 1990CRs Video Vaults2024-10-12 | Despite advances made by the women's rights movement, stereotypical male chauvinism is alive and well in Ireland.
For decades the women's movement in Ireland has fought for rights and equality. While attitudes in 1990 are more enlightened, the age of equality remains an aspiration. Stereotypical male chauvinism is alive and well on Irish streets, in the workplace and in the schools and universities.
Some men on Grafton Street in Dublin are not happy with the impact the women's rights movement is making on their lives. One man is convinced it has had a detrimental effect on his mother. Another sees the problem for men started when women started to patronise the lounge bar in pubs.
Chauvinism is rampant in the workplace where there are deep seated attitudes regarding which professions that should be done by men and which are for women.
Chauvinism still makes women secretaries and men mechanics.
Up until 1974 it was accepted that married women would leave their jobs as soon as they became married.
Women will no longer put up with an attitude that says your life basically involves going to school, working for a couple of years and rearing a family after that.
A rubgy player thinks women have no right to be at work and definitely have no place running for the position of President of Ireland. A woman's place is in the home,
It's been the way of the world for years, why should it change now all of a sudden.
Gender attitudes are formed early and some school children have clear ideas about gender and work. One boy is clear his father should not do housework because
It seems like a girl’s job.
Students in University College Dublin (UCD) are debating the motion 'That Sid the Sexist is alive and well and living in UCD’. Some of the male students at UCD believe women’s liberation has turned women into militants prepared to attack men on any issues. One student feels men cannot win because,
When you give them they want they say you are being patronising and if you don’t they say you are discriminating.
Another UCD student fears that in striving for equality, women have lost their sense of humour.
This episode of ‘Scratch Saturday’ was broadcast on 10 November 1990.What Makes A Person Attractive? Ireland 1991CRs Video Vaults2024-10-11 | What makes women attractive to men and men attractive to women?
Journalist and contributor to 'The Gay Byrne Show' Mary Finnegan, poet and professor of modern literature at Trinity College Dublin Brendan Kennelly, author, agony aunt and columnist Pat Rees and journalist Jonathan Philbin Bowman discuss attraction and what makes a person attractive.
Laura, a caller to the show, is keen to make public what she finds attractive about panellist Brendan Kennelly,
His voice and the leprechauns in his eyes.
She recently spotted the poet off Grafton Street but was too shy to make herself known to him. A very flattered Brendan Kennelly encourages her to speak to him on the next occasion Laura sees him.
Mary Finnegan and Pat Rees discuss the 'macho man' stereotype which typifies men as rude and domineering.
Mary Finnegan loves,
Well adjusted, well mannered, courteous men.
She praises a man who displays the qualities of an old fashioned gentleman. However she does not expect him to be overly involved in minutiae of her life.
Mary Finnegan is quite capable of changing a puncture by herself and if a man is threatened by her self sufficiency she considers him paranoid and he is not attractive to her.
Pat Rees is equally unimpressed by macho man behaviour.
I was never one to be hit over the head with a club and be dragged away by my hair.
She believes men can show weakness or vulnerability. She loves the concept of the 'new man' who rejects sexist attitudes and the traditional male role.
I love the man who is not frightened to eat quiche, who can have feminine qualities and still be manly.
Pat Rees concedes there is a fine line between having these admirable qualities and being a wimp.
This episode of ‘The Late Late Show’ was broadcast on 3 May 1991. The presenter is Gay Byrne.Clannads Máire Brennan interview, Ireland 1987CRs Video Vaults2024-10-11 | As Clannad prepare to release their 10th album album, singer Máire Brennan reflects on the Donegal band's international renown.
Ahead of the release of Clannad's album 'Sirius' Máire Ní Bhraonáin (Máire Brennan) joins Aonghus McAnally on 'Evening Extra'.
Formed in Gweedore in the early seventies, Clannad have since then taken their unique style of music into album bestsellers on both sides of the Atlantic.
Máire tells Aonghus about Clannad's rise to fame and fortune following the success of the television drama series 'Harry's Game', to which the band provided the theme music.
The main thing about the Gaelic language, as far as when we use Gaelic... we use it as a form of music as well, 'cos the sound of it is so good.
Clannad also received a British Academy of Film and Television Award (BAFTA) in 1985 for the music to the ITV television series Robin of Sherwood. Máire reflects on how this win was one of the highlights of their career.
Their success has afforded the band the opportunity to collaborate with other artists. The forthcoming album 'Sirius' features guest performances from Bruce Hornsby and Steve Perry.
This episode of 'Evening Extra' was broadcast on 26 October 1987. The presenter is Aonghus McAnally.Recording Connemara Folklore in Letterfrack, Co. Galway, Ireland 1990CRs Video Vaults2024-10-10 | Folklore from Galway is being collected and recorded in Letterfrack for preservation and broadcast on local radio.
'Súil Thart' presenter Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill visits the Connemara West Centre in Letterfrack, County Galway, which houses several community initiatives include a FÁS (Foras Áiseanna Saothair) scheme to collect local folklore. Project director Erin Ní Ghiobúin explains that they have applied for a radio licence and are building up a collection of local material while they wait.
Inside the studio, Bob Charlton and Roz Coyne are working on a programme about the deaths of unbaptised babies. In studio Erin Ní Ghiobúin records an interview with Molly Fitzgerald from Carna.
Chuaigh Molly Fitzgerald go Meiriceá lena cara nuair a bhí sí on-óg. Déanann sí cur síos ar an dturas agus cad a tharla ina dhiaidh sin sa mhír seo.
Good Irish girl, he said. Off you go.
This edition of 'Súil Thart' was broadcast on 26 May 1990. The reporter is Nuala Ní Dhomhnaill.
Connemara Community Radio began legally broadcasting as a community-based and run radio station on 1 July 1995.Frank Kellys Favourite Programmes on RTÉ, Ireland 1969CRs Video Vaults2024-10-09 | What is your favourite programme on RTÉ?
Filmed in Dublin City Centre, actor Frank Kelly plays four members of the public responding to the question,
What is your favourite programme on RTÉ?
The first is a doctor who is far too busy to watch television but,
Most of my patients watch 'The Late Late Show'.
The next man interrupted getting into his car on St Stephen's Green states,
I like a good comedy programme like '7 Days'.
A man walking down Duke Street carrying a bunch of flowers gives his response to the question,
Mainly current affairs like 'Wanderly Wagon.'
Finally, a man locking his car outside a newsagent struggles to recall an RTÉ programme. Then he spots the name on the shopfront behind him,
Would you believe 'Newsbeat’, I got it!'
'Newsbeat' was a half-hour feature programme ran on television from Monday to Friday from September 1964 to June 1971. Reporting on stories from around the country, 'Newsbeat’ covered affairs of the day with contributions from print journalists and RTÉ News staff.
A 'Newsbeat' report broadcast on 8 October 1969.Gavin Friday interview, Ireland 1987CRs Video Vaults2024-10-09 | This week's surprise host on 'Saturday Live' is Eamon Dunphy with guest Gavin Friday.
'Saturday Live' was a weekly chat show with a different guest presenter each week. Eamon Dunphy, a former professional footballer now journalist and broadcaster, presents this programme and introduces his first guest, Gavin Friday, formerly of Dublin band 'The Virgin Prunes'.
Gavin Friday chats to Eamon Dunphy about the punk ethos of The Virgin Prunes.
Punk was an honest expression for a lot of kids.
Other guests on this edition hosted by Eamon Dunphy included Colm Tóibín, John Giles, and Anthony Cronin.
This episode of 'Saturday Live' was broadcast on 31 January 1987. The presenter is Eamon Dunphy.President of Ireland Éamon de Valera on the Threat & Potential of Television & Radio, 1961CRs Video Vaults2024-10-08 | President of Ireland Éamon de Valera launches the new Irish television service and addresses the audience in both Irish and English.
Never before was there in the hands of men an instrument so powerful to influence the thoughts and actions of the multitude.
President Éamon de Valera is the first person to speak on Ireland's television station. Addressing the audience in Irish and English, the President outlines his hopes and fears for television.
"As I have said, I am privileged in being the first to address you on our new service, Telefís Éireann. I hope the service will provide for you all sources of recreation and pleasure, but also information, instruction, and knowledge.
I must admit that sometimes when I think of television and radio and their immense power I feel somewhat afraid. Like atomic energy, it can be used for incalculable good but it can also do irreparable harm. Never before was there in the hands of men an instrument so powerful to influence the thoughts and actions of the multitude.
A persistent policy pursued over radio and television apart from imparting knowledge can build up the character of a whole people, inducing sturdiness and vigour and confidence. On the other hand, it can lead through demoralisation to decadence and dissolution.
Sometimes one hears when one urges higher standards in information and recreational services, that one must give the people what they want and the competition, unfortunately, leads in the wrong direction and so standards become lower and lower.
Now it is you the people who will ultimately determine what the programmes in Telefís Éireann are to be. If you insist on having presented to you the good and the true and the beautiful you will get these.
And I for one will find it hard to be convinced that good taste cannot be cultivated. I would find it hard to believe for example, that a person who views the grandeurs of the heavens or the wonders of this marvellous mysterious world in which the good God has placed us will not find more pleasure in that than in viewing, for example, some squalid domestic brawl or a street quarrel.
I feel sure that full use will be made of the immense repertory which is now at our disposal. Apart altogether from the wonders of nature we have the great achievements of man himself, masterpieces of architecture, engineering, sculpture, painting and who in looking at these or hearing the great musical compositions of great composers will want to descend to anything lower.
I have great hopes of this new service. I am confident that those who are in charge will do everything in their power to make it useful for the nation. And that they will bear in mind that we are an old nation and that we have our own distinctive characteristics and that it is desirable that these should be preserved. I am sure that they will do their part. And as I have said it is for the public now to do theirs.
I wish all those in charge God speed. And I wish all of you a very happy new year."A Tour of Raytown - Ringsend, Dublin City, Ireland 1988CRs Video Vaults2024-10-07 | Shay Healy reports from Ringsend, locally known as 'Raytown' on the back of the fishing tradition of the area.
Nationally, Ringsend is probably best associated with the site of the Electricity Supply Board's (ESB) generating station at Poolbeg. Before it was Poolbeg, the ESB station was known as The Pigeon House.
The Pigeon House was named after a man called John Pidgeon, who was the caretaker and watchman when the Great South Wall was being built along the south shore of the River Liffey.
Ringsend gets its name from the Gaelic 'Rinn-Ann'. Shay Healy meets up with Ringsend local and expert on the area "Lyrics" Murphy, who provides a history of the area, the fishing tradition and the strong sense of community.
Ringsend was traditionally a Protestant town whose residents were referred to as the English people, in comparison to Irishtown which was a ghetto for the Irish Catholics. According to Lyrics, the Protestants moved out of Ringsend for Sandymount when they prospered. Lyrics also describes some of the many characters that lived around Ringsend and their unusual nicknames including "Shave the Corpse", "One More Bucket", and "Salty Feet".
The most endearing feature of Ringsend for Lyrics is the sea.
It gives you a long vision, more so than the inner-city people.
'The Dublin Village: Ringsend' was broadcast on 17 June 1988. The reporter is Shay Healy.De Bharr na gCnoc (Over The Hills) - Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich, 1986CRs Video Vaults2024-10-06 | Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich accompanied by harper Janet Harbison gives a performance of the slow air 'De Bharr na gCnoc'.
Traditional singer Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich accompanied by harp player Janet Harbison perform the slow air known as ‘De Bharr na gCnoc’ (‘Over The Hills’). The air is to a song by Cork poet Seán Clárach Mac Domhnaill.
And being a Jacobite song it is both a love and a patriotic song from the 18th century.
Hailing from the west Kerry Gaeltacht, Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaoich is an RTÉ and Radio na Gaeltachta broadcaster. She is a founding member of the all female band Macalla.
Janet Harbison from Dublin was the first harpist to tour the world with Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann. In 1986 she was appointed Curator of Music at the Ulster Folk Museum.
‘The Mountain Lark’ is a series featuring traditional music and song filmed at the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann headquarters in Monkstown, County Dublin. The series aims to showcase the best of traditional Irish music, song and dance from around the country. First broadcast on 29 April 1985 it ran for four series.
This episode of ‘The Mountain Lark’ was broadcast on 9 December 1986. The presenter is Seosaimhín Ní Bheaglaioch.Pádraig Ó Dugáin on Life with Clannad, 1987CRs Video Vaults2024-10-06 | Founding member of Clannad Pádraig Ó Dugáin talks music, success and working with U2.
Clannad's Pádraig Ó Dugáin talks to Cursaí about the success of Clannad's single 'Theme from Harry's Game', a track from the 1986 album 'Magical Ring'. He also talks about working with U2 frontman Bono on 'In a Lifetime', a collaborative project.
This episode of 'Cursaí' was broadcast on 25 February 1987.
The reporter is Philip King.A Walk Along The River Liffey From Wicklow to Kildare, Ireland 1963CRs Video Vaults2024-10-05 | Following the River Liffey from Blessington in County Wicklow through to the County of Kildare.
Exploring life along the River Liffey in Wicklow and Kildare before it reaches Dublin.
This week our tour takes us down the Liffey from above Blessington, round by Ballymore, through Kilcullen, out across the Curragh of Kildare, back again to Drochead Nua, and so by Sallins to Celbridge and Leixlip where the Liffey finally leaves Kildare.
The River Liffey loses its mountainy character at Ballysmuttan Bridge and begins to flow smoothly through the Glen of Kilbride. From there, the river moves through the slopes of Seefin Mountain through the woods and down into Blessington.
Blessington, the first town of consequence on the river's course.
Just outside Blessington is the site of a busy cattle mart. Farmers travel from miles around to the sales ring.
The Liffey flows down to the next town which is Ballymore Eustace. At the Church of St John, some of the few relics of Ballymore Eustace historic past can be found.
The great 11 foot Celtic cross standing on the north side of the church.
Following the River Liffey again from the New Bridge of Harristown, this bridge is new in name only as it was built by members of the La Touche family in 1788.
This episode of 'Mountain and Meadow' was broadcast on 2 October 1963. The presenter is JB Malone and the programme was produced by James Plunkett.Dylan Moran interview, Ireland 1998CRs Video Vaults2024-10-04 | Dylan Moran discusses Navan, the Irish in London, and a distrust of estate agents.
Award winning comedian Dylan Moran like fellow funny man Tommy Tiernan comes from Navan.
Perrier Award winning comedian. He's become a rave in Britain.
He describes Navan as a very odd place that is so devoid of culture that if you do not make your own, you world just die.
Navan is the kind of place where your imagination is a fairly crucial tool to get through the day.
While no stranger to performing as a stand-up comedian, Dylan Moran has recently made his acting debut as Ian Lyons in the BBC comedy 'How Do You Want Me?'. The series tells the story of a couple who move from the city to the country. Dylan Moran has lived in urban and rural locations and has some thoughts on both.
In the city, you could be walking around with a cat hanging out of your lip and nobody would really notice.
Dylan Moran is planning to move back to Dublin having lived in London for a number of years. He has some interesting observations about the Irish in London and how they stick together. He is having trouble finding a house to buy in Dublin.
You can't buy anything. We found a deep fat fryer in a skip in Clondalkin and we're going to move in there.
This episode of 'The Late Late Show' was broadcast on 27 February 1998. The presenter is Gay Byrne.Land Speculation & Property Investment in Co. Kerry, Ireland 1969CRs Video Vaults2024-10-03 | Questions over who is keeping check on the purchase of land in Kerry and how it will be developed.
The Land Act of 1965 requires that non-Irish citizens may not acquire any interest in non-urban Irish land without the consent of the Irish Land Commission. In Kerry 1,371 acres of prime tourism land is owned by 149 non-nationals.
There seems to be a communications gap between the Department of Lands and the Department of Industry and Commerce.
It does not appear that a stringent check is kept on all transactions made through Industry and Commerce.
It has not been established if hotels or chalets are being built on these pieces of land. On a piece of barren land just outside Sneem, a new motel has been built by a Dutch man who has settled in the area. Two years ago, another Dutchman built a hotel nearby on a site of 22 acres. There is still no record of the ownership in the land register. Between Kenmare and Sneem, planning permission has been granted for the construction of eleven chalets. However, no record exists in the Land Commission or Department of Industry and Commerce for permission for the sale of the land in the first place.
Engineer Tadhg O'Sullivan puts those with suitable land in touch with potential buyers from overseas. He does not like being referred to as, a speculator and sees himself as having a more advisory role in the transactions.
A government spokesman says that county councils have no say in the matter of land acquisition and it is a matter for the Land Commission.
They've no control over the acquisition of land by foreigners.
Conrad Bowersma owns a number of plots of land in the Kerry region. He pays for potential Dutch investors to come to the are in the hope of attracting further investment.
We like the people, we like the country, we like the quietness here. That is what was very attractive to us.
This episode of 'Seven Days' was broadcast on 30 September 1969. The presenter is John O'Donoghue.Kris Kristofferson plays Siamsa Cois Laoi Festival, Cork City, Ireland 1985CRs Video Vaults2024-10-02 | The Mayor of San Francisco visits Cork and Kris Kristofferson flies in to perform at Siamsa Cois Laoi.
Report shows: Mayor Dianne Feinstein and party arriving at Cork City Hall. They are greeted by Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Wallace. General views party talking and drinking at reception.
Kris Kristofferson signing hotel register, talking with hotel staff.
Siamsa Cois Laoi at Páirc Uí Chaoimh
The Wolfe Tones perform 'Some Say The Devil Is Dead' and Kris Kristofferson performing 'Me An Bobby McGee'
The reporter is Tom MacSweeney.Are There Too Many Cars in Dublin City? Ireland 1969CRs Video Vaults2024-10-01 | Free parking, more car parks or ban motorists from the city centre? What is the solution to Dublin's growing traffic problem?
Dublin City centre faces the challenge of a growing number of cars on the road and the growing need for places to park.
Today, the inner city needs thirty six thousand spaces to park its cars. By 1985, it will need sixty thousand.
Dr Wilbur F Smith, an American traffic expert, believes that there is a lack of regulation of parking on Dublin streets.
Raymond O'Donoghue, Area Secretary for Ireland of the Automobile Association (AA), recently wrote about the problems of congestion and parking in the magazine 'Drive'. He is critical of a Dublin Corporation plan to introduce meters on the principle of making a person pay for a system of restricting parking. He believes a free parking scheme should have been tried like the Paris disc system and advocates for an increase in off-street parking in the city.
Our street system was never designed to carry its present traffic volume.
Minister for Transport Mr Kevin Boland believes that there is no magic answer to the traffic problem in Dublin. The minister believes says that the only way to reduce city centre traffic is to discourage motorists from driving into Dublin.
Raymond O'Donoghue warns against restricting or banning traffic from the city centre. He believes that the solution is to build appropriate off-street parking to accommodate the cars.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 13 November 1969. The reporter is Cathal O'Shannon.Kris Kristofferson interview, Ireland 1993CRs Video Vaults2024-09-30 | Although he has many strings to his bow Kris Kristofferson sees himself primarily as a songwriter.
After graduating with a degree in literature from Pomona College in California, Kris Kristofferson spent a stint as an Airforce pilot before gaining a foothold in the world of music and acting.
Literary fellow, specialised in the poetry of Blake, Captain in the American Forces, A Star Is Born, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid, Convoy, Jane Fonda, Barbra Streisand, Ellen Burstyn, Gene Hackman, many others, Sunday Morning Coming Down, Me and Bobby McGee, For The Good Times, Help Me Make It Through The Night, Loving Her Was Easier...
He recalls one of his most moving concerts taking place in Dublin and describes the Irish audiences as kindred spirits and better than anywhere in the world.
It was a typically Irish audience.
Kris Kristofferson sees himself firstly as a songwriter rather than a singer. He says that thanks to people like Bob Dylan, many other songwriters make a living interpreting their songs. Kris Kristofferson was given his first break in the music industry by Johnny Cash who he describes as "a spiritual guide". He was working as a janitor in a studio where Johnny Cash was recording. Johnny Cash invited Kris Kristofferson on stage at the Newport Folk Festival in 1969. Since that night, he never had to work for a living again.
Johnny Cash was a very mythic character at that time.
This episode of The Late Late Show was broadcast on 5 February 1993. The presenter is Gay Byrne.Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves - Gavin Friday, 1987CRs Video Vaults2024-09-30 | This week's surprise host on 'Saturday Live' is Eamon Dunphy with guest Gavin Friday.
'Saturday Live' was a weekly chat show with a different guest presenter each week. Eamon Dunphy, a former professional footballer now journalist and broadcaster, presents this programme and introduces his first guest, Gavin Friday, formerly of Dublin band 'The Virgin Prunes'.
Gavin Friday performs 'Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves' a musical adaptation of an Oscar Wilde poem.
This episode of 'Saturday Live' was broadcast on 31 January 1987.
The presenter is Eamon Dunphy.Irish Dance on Inis Mór, The Aran Islands, Co. Galway, Ireland 1989CRs Video Vaults2024-09-29 | Young Irish dancers performing in the Aran Islands sunshine.
For this episode of 'Bibi' an outside broadcasting unit travelled to Inis Mór the largest of the Aran Islands. Presenter Bibi Baskin was joined by guests who discussed life on the island. Young dancers perform on the quay in Cill Rónáin.
'Bibi' broadcast on 21 Spetember 1989. The presenter was Bibi Baskin.
'Bibi' was a chat show presented by Bibi Baskin and produced by Justin Nelson. Each programme explored an element of Irish life through a person or an issue in both English and Irish. 'Bibi' was first broadcast on 13 October 1988. It ended on 17 March 1992 with a Saint Patrick's Day Special from Australia.Womens Soccer in Waterford City, Ireland 1967CRs Video Vaults2024-09-28 | The numbers of women playing soccer in Waterford is on the rise as the game grows in popularity.
Shop girls, office girls, factory girls and mothers are all playing football in the newly established women's league in Waterford City.
They play the men's game with only a few modifications to the rules.
The game is played with a few adjustments on the men's game. Each match is 20 minutes a side, teams can have two substitutes at any time and the players must wear rubber shoes. Teams train two nights a week and are coached by a manager appointed to each team by the ruling committee.
There's no doubt they enjoy the games.
The league for women is run by men through a sub-committee of the supporters' club at Waterford Football Club to which all the women belong. To date, there are 22 teams of 11 players.
Waterford soccer has always had a great support from women.
Women's support for football has grown as a result of the popularity the World Cup tournament last year. The real problem in Waterford is that there just are not enough football pitches.
One of the organisers Pat Sheridan dismisses any claims that women's football is just a gimmick and says it is a very serious business. Apart from the eleven-a-side league, there are also plans to introduce a five-a-side league. Pat also encourages the players to have boyfriends as it means there will be greater attendance at the games.
This episode of 'Newsbeat' was broadcast on 19 April 1967. The reporter is Bill O'Herlihy.The Bard of Salford - John Cooper Clarke interview, Ireland 1986CRs Video Vaults2024-09-27 | Performance poet John Cooper Clarke talks about the challenge of writing and performing in working men's clubs.
John Cooper Clarke chats about his background in the nightclub scene and his association with punk, a movement which he found to be a very literary. He cites the New York punk scene and French symbolist poetry of the late 19th century, and the work of Patti Smith and Tom Verlaine as influences on his work.
Writing does not come easily,
I'd do anything rather than write a poem
he says referring to
The horror of the blank white space
John Cooper Clarke takes to the studio floor and provides the audience with a taste of his new, previously unperformed work titled 'Back at the Scandal School'.
This episode of 'TV GAGA' was broadcast on 9 January 1986. The presenter is Liam Mackey.Producing And Printing A Newspaper, Dublin City, Ireland 1979CRs Video Vaults2024-09-26 | How an edition of The Evening Press is produced from writing the reports to distributing the final newspaper.
At The Evening Press, telex machines are constantly printing out news and sports stories which come in from all over the world. Correspondents from around the country telephone in their stories to the copy takers who type up the reports.
On an evening paper, time is the big enemy so reporters phone in their stories from the scene.
The news editor assigns stories to reporters. When the stories are written, they are sent to sub-editors before going to print. The sub-editors check grammar and spelling and often cut the story to fit the allocated space in the paper. They also mark instructions for the linotype operators when using pictures in stories.
The editor, deputy editor and the news editor hold regular meetings every day to monitor how the process is going and make any necessary editorial changes.
On an evening paper, the news can change dramatically within a couple of hours.
The linotype operator types the story onto a special keyboard which selects letters and drops them out for use. While the system has been superseded by computers, many newspapers still use the old system because of the cost of modernisation. Implementing new technology is also a concern for trade unions who are worried about workers being replaced by machines. The letters are used as moulds for the lead type slugs which are assembled to make up a page of the paper.
One of the talents for this job is to read upside down and backwards.
The next stage in the production process is called making a matrix. This involves creating a mould of the type on the page. This is done for every page of the newspaper. The matrix mould is used to make the lead plates which actually print the newspaper.
The papers are churned out at the rate of thirty thousand an hour.
This episode of 'Youngline' was broadcast on 1 February 1979. The reporter is Conor McAnally.The Thalidomide Scandal in Ireland, 1974CRs Video Vaults2024-09-25 | The thalidomide drug was sold as a sedative and to alleviate nausea during morning sickness in pregnant women. It soon became apparent that it caused malformation in newborn babies.
The German manufactured thalidomide drug, sold under the brand name of Softenon in Ireland
The drug was introduced to the Irish market in early 1959.
TP Whelehan Son & Co Ltd based in Finglas, Dublin were the Irish agents for thalidomide. They sold it in tablet and syrup form predominantly under the brand name 'Softenon'.
The drug was labelled as safe and went on sale over the counter without a prescription in chemist shops throughout Ireland. It was also stocked in dispensaries, surgeries, hospitals and maternity homes.
It was administered as a sedative to teething infants and of course Softenon gave many a pregnant woman a good night sleep.
Sales of the drug rocketed and in 1961 alone over 51,000 bottles of thalidomide syrup was sold in Ireland. In late 1961, Dr Widukind Lenz, now a professor at the University of Münster, was the first to raise alert over the dangers of taking the drug during pregnancy. He witnessed an epidemic of malformation in new born babies that had broken out in the Federal Republic of German which he believed had been caused by the mothers of the affected children taking thalidomide while pregnant.
Following the report, Chemi-Grünenthal, the German company that created and marketed thalidomide, acted. On 27 November 1961, they withdrew thalidomide from the market. The West German ministry and the media reacted promptly warning women not to take the drug. Chemi-Grünenthal issued instructions to their agents around the world.
Withdraw thalidomide immediately.
This episode of 'Seven Days' was broadcast on 7 June 1974. The reporter is Nick Coffey.Steeplejack Angela Collins interview, Ireland 1975CRs Video Vaults2024-09-24 | Sean Duignan reports from the air traffic radar antenna on Mount Gabriel on Mizen Head, County Cork, where he meets one of if not the only female steeplejack in Ireland, Angela Collins.
Angela Collins talks about the her work, how it has expanded, the dangers of the job, and her hopes to pass on the business to her children. Some of the men who work with Angela talk about what it is like to have a female boss in a predominantly male industry.
Asked the question;
"Did you ever think you'd wind up as a steeplejack working for a woman?"
One man describes Angela as "quite good" at her job.
Angela employs 28 steeplejacks working on various projects throughout Ireland, Europe and the Middle East.
A 'Newsround' report broadcast on 19 October 1975.A Walk through Navan, Slane & Newgrange in Co. Meath, Ireland 1963CRs Video Vaults2024-09-23 | A trip through County Meath visiting Navan, Slane and Newgrange.
Starting at Navan, located at the confluence of the Rivers Blackwater and Boyne, we take the road to Donaghmore to the site of Donaghmore monastic settlement.
The round tower here has a carving of the crucifixion over the doorway, and like all round towers served many purposes including that of lookout post, enabling the monks to see,
The approach of the marauding Danes up the Boyne.
The ruins of nearby Dunmore Castle which overlook the river date from the fifteenth century and was at one time the seat of the D’arcy family until destroyed by fire during the 1798 Rebellion.
Passing the imposing gates of Slane Castle to Slane bridge, the poet Francis Ledwidge comes to mind,
The Blackbird of the Boyne must have stood and watched the water.
Finishing at the Newgrange passage tomb which is at present being excavated and reconstructed by archaeologists, the huge Kerbstones can be seen,
Richly carved with designs that have not seen the light of day for many generations.
This episode of ‘Mountain and Meadow : Regal Boyne’ was broadcast on 10 July 1963. The presenter is by JB Malone.
‘Mountain and Meadow’ was a series of six programmes broadcast from July to August 1962. Presented by the well-known hill walking enthusiast JB Malone, it followed routes of walks in the Dublin and Wicklow countryside.
A second series of ‘Mountain and Meadow’ was broadcast from July to October 1963 and covered counties Meath, Wicklow, Westmeath, Kildare, Kilkenny, Roscommon, Waterford and Tipperary. Both series were produced by James Plunkett.
In an article in the RTV Guide of 6 July 1963 the second series promises to be a record on film of a journey which can be made on foot or by car, in the course of one day and aims to include
“Those simple and eternal things that make up the beauty and charm of Ireland.”Vincent O’Brien - Master Irish Racehorse Trainer, Co. Tipperary, Ireland 1974CRs Video Vaults2024-09-22 | ‘The Master of Ballydoyle’ profiles Vincent O’Brien (1917 - 2009), who was one of the world’s foremost racehorse trainers.
Racing journalist Noel Reid looks back on Vincent O’Briens’ career and discusses with him the various victories he has had.
O’Brien’s achievements include training six horses to win the Epsom Derby, winning three Grand Nationals, achieving the title of British champion trainer twice, and training the only British Triple Crown winner since the 2nd World War.
‘The Master of Ballydoyle’ was first broadcast on 27 June 1974.A History of Donnybrook Fair, Dublin City, Ireland 1978CRs Video Vaults2024-09-21 | A song about a fair with a reputation for brawling and carousing held at Donnybrook in Dublin.
The fair in Donnybrook was established in 1204 by the Normans to thank the citizens of Dublin for their help in building the walls of the city. Held on land in Donnybrook next to the river Dodder, it endured for centuries and was a permanent and popular fixture in the city calendar every August.
The fair was well known throughout Ireland, and over time gained a certain amount of notoriety. During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, the well-to-do residents of Donnybrook and members of the upper classes frowned on the entertainment, customs and behaviour of the fair and the people who attended it.
Writer and broadcaster Seán J White explains, the gentry at that time become evangelical in religion, and
They wanted to impose this evangelism particularly on the lower classes.
Donnybrook Fair is well documented in travelogues of the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. The festival was a popular destination for tourists in Ireland during the summer months. They describe a chaotic atmosphere where the rules governing day to day life were absent.
Others ate, screamed, shouted and fought.
Frank Harte sings the nineteenth-century ballad ‘The Humours of Donnybrook Fair’ which paints a colourful picture of the event.
There are dogs a-dancing and wild beasts a-prancing
With neat bits of painting, red, yellow and gold
Toss players and scramblers and showmen and gamblers
Pick-pockets in plenty, both of young and old
There are brewers and bakers and jolly shoemakers
With butchers and porters and men that cut hair
There are mountebanks grinnin’, while others are sinnin’
To keep up the humours of Donnybrook Fair.
This episode of ‘The Humours of Donnybrook’ was broadcast on 20 December 1978. The presenter is Ciarán Mac Mathúna.
‘The Humours of Donnybrook’ was a series of traditional Irish music programmes presented by Ciarán Mac Mathúna and produced by Peter Canning.Love’s A Game - Paul Hayes & The Bottles, 1982CRs Video Vaults2024-09-21 | Paul Hayes And The Bottles perform on 'Non Stop Pop'.
Introducing Paul Hayes and The Bottles, presenter Gerry Ryan says;
I said early on that we were going to have something unusual on the show tonight and indeed they are.
Following their performance of the song 'Love's A Game', Gerry Ryan adds,
I think it's quite reassuring at this time in this country we have a band that have the nerve to do something like that.
This episode of 'Non Stop Pop' was broadcast on 10 November 1982. The presenter is Gerry Ryan.
The pop and rock series ‘Non Stop Pop’ began on 23 January 1982 with RTÉ Radio 2 DJ Gerry Ryan making his television debut. It was produced and directed by Conor McAnally.Gavin Friday on Shay Healys ‘Nighthawks’, Ireland 1988CRs Video Vaults2024-09-20 | Gavin Friday and the Man Seezer infuse the words of Oscar Wilde with some dark musical cabaret.
Gavin Friday and The Man Seezer perform ‘Each Man Kills The Thing He Loves’ for ‘Nighthawks’ customers. The song is the title track from Gavin Friday’s first collaboration with The Man Seezer. It is an excerpt from Oscar Wilde’s poem ‘The Ballad of Reading Gaol’ set to music composed by the two.
Recorded in New York during the summer, the album was produced by Hal Willner. Gavin Friday enjoyed working in the city.
The energy, the city, the vibe, it was the only place you could have made this record.
This type of music seems far removed from the days of The Virgin Prunes. Did he ever think he’d end up performing songs that are more Berlin cabaret than post punk?
I wouldn’t say so, I mean the Prunes dabbled in theatrics and the avant-garde, but this is far more musical.
Gavin Friday’s long association with Bono has been documented in Eamon Dunphy’s recent biography of U2. Bono still calls him when he needs to get a perspective on things. That’s because they’ve been friends for many years, but it goes both ways,
A man of words and wisdom, I think he sees me, as he is.
Describing these new songs as an expression of how he sees the world, Gavin Friday believes,
That’s what real music should be about, it’s how you see things, what you express things. Your visions.
‘Nighthawks’ was a programme that was set in a bar café where the presenter Shay Healy was also the proprietor. The content was a mixture of comedy sketches, interviews, music performances and music videos. ‘Nighthawks’ was broadcast between 1988 and 1992 and went out three nights a week.
This episode of ‘Nighthawks’ was broadcast on 7 December 1988. The presenter is Shay Healy.The Life of Irish Actress Peg Woffington, Ireland 1975CRs Video Vaults2024-09-19 | A Leading actress of the Georgian era, Peg Woffington started as a child street singer in Dublin and went on to become the darling of the London stage.
Peg (Margaret) Woffington was born in Dublin in 1714. Her father died when she was a child, and she helped support her mother and sister by selling watercress and singing on the streets of Dublin.
Discovered by the French performer and acrobat Madame Volente Peg made her stage debut at the age of ten in a juvenile production of ‘The Beggar’s Opera’ by John Gay.
From this time onwards she worked her way up, playing small parts at first and dancing between the acts in a theatre on Aungier Street. Her big break came in the spring of 1737 when the actress who was in the role of Ophelia in Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’ did not turn up. Peg persuaded the theatre’s management that she knew the part, and could play it. That night she was very favourably received, and her reputation as an actress in her native city grew, but
She had her eye on wider horizons.
Making her way to London, she was taken under the wing of actor and dramatist Charles Macklin (born in 1690 on the Inishowen Peninsula, County Donegal), who was based in the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane.
It was rare for a play to have a lengthy run in Georgian London, as the public’s demand for fresh entertainment meant new plays were performed much more regularly than they are today.
And while there is no complete record of plays in which Peg performed, she did act in at least one of Macklin’s plays during her career, ‘Henry VII’, and it is highly likely that she starred in another of his works, ‘A True Born Irishman’, as she became renowned for her ability as a comedic actress,
That’s the kind of part Peg loved to play, something with a bit of humour in it.
Peg was also much in demand for what were called ‘breeches parts’, where women played men on stage.
During her successful career, Peg divided her time between the Drury Lane and Covent Garden theatres in London and her native Dublin, where she was
Greeted with tremendous enthusiasm.
Held in high esteem by the London elite, she was elected a member of the Beefsteak Club, an exclusive and all-male dining and debating club.
Her high public profile meant she was frequently the subject of much society gossip, and her status as an independent woman was a rarity, as in Georgian times.
Even the ladies of the land had very little freedom, and depended upon their husbands for just about everything.
Theatre was her vocation, and she was known on both sides of the Irish Sea for her professionalism,
The show must go on, whatever happened.
This episode of ‘Irish Men And Irish Women: Peg Woffington’ was broadcast on 25 September 1975. The presenter is Ronnie Drew.
‘Irish Men And Irish Women’ was a television series about notable people in Ireland’s history, described by producer Joe O’Donnell as
Mainly unsung heroes...not unknown, but outside the orthodoxy of our national pantheon.
RTÉ Guide, 19 September 1975
First broadcast on RTÉ Television on 25 September 1975, it ran for three series until 1977.In The Big House - Cypress, Mine!, 1988CRs Video Vaults2024-09-19 | Cork band Cypress, Mine! perform their latest single.
Cypress, Mine! perform their new single 'In The Big House' for 'Borderline' came ahead of the release of their album 'Exit Trashtown' in May.
The lineup includes Ciaran O'Tuama on vocals, Ian Olney on guitar, Denis O'Mullane (Skoda) on bass and Mark Healy on drums.
Cypress, Mine! were managed by Tony O Donoghue who went on to become an RTÉ sports broadcaster.
This episode of 'Borderline' was broadcast on 2 February 1988. The presenters are Ronan Johnson and Maria Doyle.
'Borderline' was first broadcast on Saturday 11 October, 1986. The Saturday morning programme featured bands, newcomers getting their first break and the latest in pop videos, fashion, film and video making. There was a live phone in, celebrity guests and a participating studio audience. Presenters included Aonghus McAnally, Ronan Johnston and Majella Nolan.U2 Premiere Rattle and Hum in Dublin City, Ireland 1988CRs Video Vaults2024-09-18 | At the Dublin premiere of 'Rattle and Hum' U2 play to fans waiting outside the Savoy cinema in O'Connell Street.
Thousands of fans wait outside the Savoy cinema in Dublin where the premiere of the film 'Rattle and Hum' is taking place. Terence Trent D'Arby is one of the invited celebrities and has quick word for the camera.
Bono addresses the crowd from a balcony and the band perform an acoustic version 'When Love Comes to Town'.State Aid - At The Window, 1987CRs Video Vaults2024-09-18 | From Shannon in County Clare, At The Window perform their debut single.
At The Window are a new wave trio with a lineup of Eamonn Lenihan on bass and vocals, Nick Knight on guitar and Paul Lehane on drums.
The band perform their debut single 'State Aid' and are due to play the Underground in Dublin.
It's called 'State Aid'. They're called 'At The Window'.Mariah Carey interview, Ireland 1999CRs Video Vaults2024-09-17 | American singer and songwriter Mariah Carey talks about her Irish heritage and how she became a star.
Mariah Carey grew up in Long Island, New York. Her father is half African American and half Venezuelan while her mother Patricia is Irish. Mariah had to learn to understand herself as an interracial person and when she was a child she used her music to channel her emotions.
Patricia, a singer and a vocal coach knew from an early age that her daughter was a talented singer and was always supportive of her dream of becoming a successful recording artist.
Mariah was singing from the age of four and writing music and meeting musicians from the age of 13. Some of the songs on her first album ‘Mariah Carey’ were written while she was still at school. When she was recording this album, many of her classmates were starting college, unsure of what they wanted to do in life.
I feel like I've been singing my whole life, like there’s never been a time that I didn't know that I wanted to sing.
When Mariah was 17 years old when she made her first demo tape and at 18 was on the verge of a deal with Warner Brothers as a solo artist. Some musicians who used Mariah’s vocal talents on their recordings recommended her to the singer Brenda K Starr and Mariah became one of her backing singers.
Brenda was very supportive of Mariah’s burgeoning singing career and brought her to a record executives' gala, where the head of Sony Music, Tommy Mottola took her demo tape. He was so impressed with what he heard he tracked down Mairah through Brenda's managers and signed her immediately.
Mariah subsequently married Tommy but realises she married too young. She admits to being a control freak about her music but would prefer if she did not have to be.
The episode of ‘Kenny Live’ was broadcast on 13 March 1999. The presenter is Pat Kenny.Ireland Vs Romania Football - Italia 90 FIFA World Cup, 1990CRs Video Vaults2024-09-17 | Ireland’s soccer team have won their way through to the last eight in the World Cup. In Genoa this evening they beat Romania in a heart-stopping penalty shoot-out.
Report shows highlights of the match showing shots at goal from both teams and the final penalty shoot-out.
Interview with Manager Jack Charlton, Packie Bonner, goalkeeper David O’Leary and Dave O’Leary.
The reporter is Vere Wynne-Jones.Public Libraries in County Tipperary, Ireland 1964CRs Video Vaults2024-09-16 | Library services in Tipperary and now include a mobile library services for rural towns and villages.
625,000 books are borrowed from Tipperary libraries each year. Lending patterns indicate that in south Tipperary non-fiction is more popular than fiction, which is more popular in north Tipperary. County librarian Dan Kinane explains that the library plays an important part in community affairs. In the education sector there are over 126 libraries in national schools and 6 in secondary schools.
Dermot Foley, Director of An Chomhairle Leabharlanna (The Library Council), describes it as a state appointed body with the job of advising the minister on library services throughout the country. The council also advises local authorities on best practice.
Dermot Foley says that Tipperary has a reputation for enthusiastic readers, and points to a government initiative to put books in schools as being imperative to creating a culture of reading. He also points to the remarkable work that the mobile library can do in bringing books to people in rural areas. Libraries are becoming centres for self-education as well as formal education.
Jack Murphy, Chairman of the Libraries Committee, talks about value for money offered by library services.
This episode of 'On the Land' was broadcast on 13 December 1964. The reporter is Ted Nealon.Irelands Sports Review Of 1990CRs Video Vaults2024-09-15 | A look back at this year’s major sporting events.
Report shows footage of Ireland winning the 1990 Dunhill Cup golf tournament.
Footage of Cork winning the All-Ireland Senior Hurling and Senior Football Championships.
Bray Wanderers Football Club winning the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) Cup.
Footage of racehorse trainer, Jim Bolger, who set a new all-time Irish training record.
Lester Piggott wining the 1990 Breeders’ Cup Mile.
To camera Colm Murray.
In-studio interview with John O’Brien, RTÉ’s Executive Producer, on Italia ’90.
Highlights from some of Ireland’s 1990 Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) World Cup matches.The Rose of Allendale - Johnny McEvoy, 1984CRs Video Vaults2024-09-15 | Johnny McEvoy performs the folk song 'The Rose of Allendale'.
The Offaly singer-songwriter Johnny McEvoy and his band played the National Stadium in Dublin in September 1983.
The song 'The Rose of Allendale' was written by Charles Jeferys with music by Sidney Nelson in the early 1830s.
The concert was broadcast as part of the series 'Festival Folk' on 22 February 1984.
'Festival Folk' broadcast a series of concerts from the National Stadium featuring well-known folk singers and musicians. The first episode in this series was broadcast on 11 January 1984 with the RTÉ Guide publishing a preview on 6 January 1984.Hot Air Ballooning Championship in Boyle, Co. Roscommon, Ireland 1991CRs Video Vaults2024-09-14 | Jo-Maxi reports from the 21st Irish Hot Air Ballooning Championship held in Lough Key Forest Park in Boyle, County Roscommon.
Onlookers are thrilled by the spectacle of floating balloons, which includes one shaped like a Club Orange can.
It’s supernatural really, it’s just brilliant.
The event has an international flavour, attracting balloonists from all over the world including Tim Bryon from Connecticut in the United States of America. He is part of a group of 10 people who have brought their own custom made balloons and baskets to the event. These can be collapsed down for air transportation and stowed as luggage. Tim estimates a balloon costs £10-15,000 to buy. However, they are cheaper to make and this also gives you an opportunity to design your own creation.
The Tiernan Brothers from Boyle were lucky enough to go up in a balloon and David was allowed to control the burner which enables the balloon to rise. He was lifted up to see over the basket and from his vantage point could see
All these small people taking pictures at ya.
Balloonist John explains that ballooning is;
"Basically flying lighter than air, it's romantic, beautiful."
He controls the height of the flight, and the wind tells him what direction he’s going in.
You go with the wind, you become part of the wind, like a bubble floating, it’s as simple as that.
This edition of ‘Jo-Maxi’ was broadcast on 17 October 1991.