"Irish Gossamer" is now available to stream for free from the Irish Film Institute's IFI Archive Player.
Commissioned by the Irish tourism board Bord Fáilte to entice visitors to Ireland, this visually stunning short by Colm Ó Laoghaire takes the viewer on a journey through Ireland in 1958 looking at Irish life and landscapes.
The work of designer Irene Gilbert and fabrics produced by The Crock of Gold and Gaeltarra Éireann are juxtaposed with scenes of rural beauty all around the country.
The film also presents cityscapes in Limerick, Galway, and Dublin and exciting activities including the Tóstal Festival, the Spring Show, a hurling match at Croke Park and the Horse Show.
The texture and warmth of the visuals are complemented by a soundtrack provided by Radio Éireann Light Orchestra.
"Irish Gossamer" won an award at the Kelowna Film Festival.
"Irish Gossamer" is a part of the Irish Film Institute's Bord Fáilte Film Collection.
The Irish Film Institute's Bord Fáilte Film Collection
Some of the largest collections held by the IFI Irish Film Archive come from Government departments and State and semi-state bodies.
Apart from their educational and entertainment value in a country that did not have its own television station until 1961, these state-sponsored produced films are noteworthy not only for their high production values and interesting content, but also for the calibre of those involved in their creation. Luminaries of the Irish acting world would often make a appearances, and at a time when the Irish film industry was underdeveloped and opportunities for technical training were limited, important figures such as Louis Marcus, Bob Monks, Colm Ó Laoghaire, George Fleischmann, Gerard Healy and Rex Roberts all found gainful employment in their production.
Films made for Bord Fáilte provide not only a beautiful record of Ireland’s landscape and topography throughout the 20th century, but also serve to illustrate the development of the Irish tourist industry and the image that ‘brand’ Ireland was endeavouring to project, as it marketed itself as an international tourist destination.
"Irish Gossamer" is published here thanks to the Irish Film Institute (IFI), who IrishCentral has partnered up with to bring you a taste of what their remarkable collection entails. You can find all IrishCentral articles and videos from the IFI here.
To watch more historic Irish footage, visit the IFI Archive Player, the Irish Film Institute’s virtual viewing room that provides audiences around the globe free, instant access to Irish heritage preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive. Irish Culture from the last century is reflected through documentaries, animation, adverts, amateur footage, feature films, and much more. You can also download the IFI Archive Player App for free on iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku.
IrishCentral has partnered up with the IFI to bring you a taste of what their remarkable collections entail. You can find all IrishCentral articles and videos from the IFI here.
