“Songs of the Emerald Isle,” an Irish travelogue from 1955, is now available to watch for free on the Irish Film Institute’s IFIPlayer. This charming short film presents five much-loved Irish airs and ballads set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Irish landscape.
The film features Bing Crosby singing “How Can You Buy Killarney?” (from his St Patrick’s Day Parade album), John Feeney performing “The Connemara Shore,” and Connie Foley’s rendition of “Lovely Leitrim.” These songs, filled with yearning and nostalgia, are beautifully illustrated with images of Irish Travellers, fishermen, foresters, and farmers. You’ll also see ancient monuments, rich farmlands, seascapes, and the iconic River Shannon.
In Cavan, the Power Dancers and Ulster champion Marie McCluskey perform traditional jigs and reels in a schoolyard, accompanied by an accordion player, capturing the vibrant spirit of Irish folk culture.
Locations featured in the film include Oughterard and Ashford Castle in County Mayo; Fenagh Abbey in County Leitrim; County Galway; Cavan; the River Shannon; and the western coast of Ireland.
This digital copy was created from the sole print of the film preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive collection. The original 16mm print clearly shows signs of love and frequent screenings, with occasional slight picture jumps and audio gaps. The Irish Film Institute hopes these minor imperfections will not detract from your enjoyment of this wonderful piece of Irish heritage.
The video is published with the support of the Irish Film Institute (IFI), in partnership with IrishCentral, to offer a glimpse into the remarkable collection housed at the IFI Irish Film Archive.
To explore more historic Irish footage, visit the IFI Player — the Irish Film Institute’s virtual viewing room that provides free, instant access to Irish heritage from around the world. The archive features documentaries, animation, adverts, amateur footage, feature films, and much more, capturing Irish culture from the last century.
You can also download the free IFI Player apps on iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku for easier viewing.
*Originally published in 2021 and updated in 2025.*
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-film-old-ireland