WATCH: Vintage footage shows how Ireland ushered in springtime in the 1950s

“Ireland in Spring” highlights Fáilte Ireland's (formerly Bord Fáilte) efforts in the 1950s to attract and welcome visitors to Ireland

If the unpredictable weather is getting you down you can perk up knowing that we’re (finally!) we're here! Spring has arrived.

And where else is better to ring in the new, mild season than Ireland?

In 1957, Fáilte Ireland (formerly Bord Fáilte) produced the below video, which has been preserved by the Irish Film Institute, to highlight springtime in Ireland.

The IFI writes: “Ireland is beautiful all year round but spring is when it really blossoms. Produced by Colm O’ Laoghaire (director of the Amharc Éireann newsreels for Gael-Linn) this film is a celebration of all things Irish and a delightful window into 1950s Eire.

“The film focuses on An Tóstal (Irish for “The Pageant”) which was a series of festivals and events established in 1953 to celebrate Irish culture and draw more tourists to the country. The wealth of events and happenings in the country are shown. 

“In Dublin, President Sean T. O’Kelly launches a parade featuring flower-festooned floats from Aer Lingus while outside The Pale we see Gaelic football and hurling, fly fishing in Lough Corrib, and a traditional music festival in Ennis. The film was produced in 1957 for Bord Failte Éireann and released in 1958. 

“An Tóstal events were hosted around the country from 1953 until 1958 when they ended everywhere except in Drumshanbo in Co Leitrim where an annual festival still takes place today. The local pride engendered by An Tóstal inspired annual clean-up plans which were formalized into the National Tidy Towns Award, which is still going strong.

"To see more of The Bord Fáilte Film Collection, click here."

The video below is published with thanks to the Irish Film Institute (IFI), who IrishCentral have 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 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 Player Apps 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.

* Originally published in 2020, updated in 2024.