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Dwight Eisenhower in Hillsborough and assorted other scenes

Fishermen enjoy a tranquil day out, motorbikes race on a grass track, Dwight D. Eisenhower visits Hillsborough and much fun is had on a ferry trip.

Sponsored film 1959 5 mins Silent

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Logo for Northern Ireland Screen

Overview

Tranquil scenes of fishermen on edge of the River Erne. The excitement of motorbike racing at Lisahilly, Enniskillen, as bikes thunder around the muddy grass track. Dwight D. Eisenhower, formerly the 34th President of the USA, begins a four-day visit to Northern Ireland on the 21st of August. He's greeted in Hillsborough by assorted dignitaries. Vivid scenes of ferry journey from Warrenpoint.

These colourful rushes are amongst a wealth of footage that was generated by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. This government department had their own staff who documented the region through stills and moving images and the films they created capture various facets of life in Northern Ireland. The department was particularly busy in the mid-1950s to late 1960s, creating films that aimed to sell Northern Ireland as a holiday destination. This material captures Northern Ireland at an interesting time, post-World War Two and pre-Troubles.