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
A Day out in Portrush
Take a trip to the beach and find out what unexpected exotic animals are living on the north coast.
From the collection of:
Overview
After playing on the West Strand in Portrush, take a bracing walk on the blustery shores of Ballycastle then join the Bell family at The Causeway Safari Park. Watch the lazy lions from the safety of the car before getting a closer look at the Indian Bull elephant in his whitewashed enclosure. The safari park was open for visitors from 1970 until it closed in 1997. Today trespassers to the abandoned park can experience a post-apocalyptic world of overgrown ruins.
This home movie is courtesy of Sam Bell.
Related
Watch for free
Family Festival Family Festival
Sponsored film 1951 27 mins Silent Location: Belfast
From Modernist designs inspired by the atomic age to paddling pool picnics, find delight in this silent selection from the Festival of Britain
Watch for free
Jigsaw Factory Jigsaw Factory
News 1962 2 mins Silent Location: Portrush
Take a tour of Portrush's puzzle factory and get a glimpse of the coastal town's architectural icons
Watch for free
The Secret The Secret
Drama 1973 24 mins Location: Portrush
What is the great secret carried by the stranger who emerged through the fog and what will it take to make him part with it?
Watch for free
Curragh to Iona Curragh to Iona
Documentary 1963 24 mins Location: Derry / Londonderry
Join a fearless crew on a spiritual maritime adventure from the shores of Derry to Iona.
Watch for free
Morris Dancing in Portrush Morris Dancing in Portrush
News 1977 9 mins Location: Portrush
Here’s to the handkerchiefs, here’s to the shoes and here’s to the bonny green garters…
Watch for free
Highways of Ulster Highways of Ulster
Travelogue 1950 22 mins Location: Port of Belfast
Hop on board and explore Ulster. The is plenty to to feast your eyes on both sides of the border but "nothing too strenuous", on this entertaining coach tour.
Watch for free
Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A Getting it Back: The Story of Cymande - Q&A
Inside Film 2024 22 mins
The director of a documentary about British funk pioneers Cymande joins the band at BFI Southbank to talk about the film.
Watch for free
The West Case The West Case
Action and Adventure 1923 28 mins Silent Location: Tilbury
Plotting world domination, Devil Doctor Fu-Manchu steals plans for a new aero-torpedo in this earliest surviving thrill-a-minute serial instalment.
Watch for free
Enter the Scala!!! Enter the Scala!!!
Inside Film 2024 16 mins
Filmmakers Jane Giles and Ali Catterall discuss their documentary Scala!!!, revisiting the legendary and inspirational cinema venue and some of the most notorious films that screened there.
Watch for free
Smith Smith
Charity appeal 1939 10 mins
Long thought lost, this Powell-directed promotional short for a veteran’s charity was only rediscovered in 2003.
Watch for free
An Airman's Letter to His Mother An Airman's Letter to His Mother
Documentary 1941 6 mins
A poignant, stirring letter from a recently deceased pilot to his mother is read by John Gielgud.
Watch for free
The NHS75 Celebration The NHS75 Celebration
Short documentary 2023 3 mins
Former Bristol Poet Laureate, Miles Chambers reads a poem specially commissioned for the 75th anniversary of the NHS.