Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive is a free public access resource for teachers, students, historians and anyone who has an interest in moving images. Spanning from 1897 to the present day, the films in the Digital Film Archive cover all aspects of life in Northern Ireland and includes everything from dramas to documentaries, newsreels and features, animation to amateur footage.
This film is part of Free
Northern Ireland Welcomes American Visitors
Tourists are wisked away from their cruise ship to take in some of Northern Ireland's iconic sites.
In partnership with:
Overview
In the 1950s, Northern Ireland was a popular stop-off point for American tourists. Many arrived on grand ocean liners, such as the RMS Caronia. Here we see these visitors being shuttled around in gleaming buses, exploring the grounds of Parliament Buildings, Stormont and being greeted with traditional hospitality in Bangor.
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.
Related
Watch for free
Seaway To Northern Ireland Seaway To Northern Ireland
Sponsored film 1969 22 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Welcome aboard the Ulster Queen; as excited holidaymakers travel from Liverpool to Belfast. From the mythological to modern discover what awaits those who cross the Irish Sea.
Watch for free
Benson and Hedges Fishing Festival Benson and Hedges Fishing Festival
Sponsored film 1976 15 mins Location: Enniskillen
With £5,000 pounds at stake who will you put your money on?
Watch for free
Song of Ulster Song of Ulster
Sponsored film 1986 26 mins Location: Newcastle
Embark on a musical tour of Ulster. Enjoy diving-board hi-jinks and cruise along a sun-dappled Lough Erne. Let song and landscape tell you the story of each county.
Watch for free
The Quiet Land The Quiet Land
Sponsored film 1974 23 mins Location: Lough Erne
A rare portrait of Northern Ireland in a time of conflict as “a land where the pace of life is more friendly, where everybody cares and nobody minds”.
Watch for free
Sport in Northern Ireland Sport in Northern Ireland
Sponsored film 1971 26 mins Location: Glenariff
Celebrate sports of all seasons from the Ulster Grand Prix to homespun horseshoe throwing. There is plenty for all tastes and a few surprises to stretch any definition of ‘sport’.
Watch for free
Lough Erne and District Lough Erne and District
Sponsored film 1958 9 mins Silent Location: Lough Erne
Fishing, boating and exploring amidst the shores and islands of Lough Erne
Watch for free
Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A Starve Acre - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 24 mins
Daniel Kokotajlo talks to Nia Childs about Starve Acre, his folk horror about a couple digging deep into grief in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.
Watch for free
Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A Sky Peals - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2024 30 mins
Sky Peals director Moin Hussain and lead actor Faraz Ayub talk to Tomisin Adepeju about their magic realist drama.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell Inside the Archive: The Early Films of Michael Powell
Documentary 2024 42 mins
Documentary exploring the BFI National Archive’s role in rediscovering and remastering the early films of Michael Powell.
Watch for free
Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels Inside the Archive: The Riviera Revels
Short documentary 2024 12 mins
Bryony Dixon, curator of silent film at the BFI national archive, explores the origins of a series of comic travelogues, and Michael Powell's involvement in making them.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Oldboy New Perspectives: Oldboy
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Discover why Dan George of Northumbria University believes everyone should experience Oldboy at least once.
Watch for free
New Perspectives: Wings of Desire New Perspectives: Wings of Desire
Short documentary 2024 4 mins
Trixie Parkin-Christie of Northumbria University offers fresh insight into why Wings of Desire remains essential viewing.