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
Dots and Whips
Learn the language of lace from the devoted women keeping the highly skilled art of Carrickmacross Lace alive
From the collection of:
Overview
Meet the women whose devoted work is keeping alive the skill of Carrickmacross lace. Learn the history and language of lace through the demonstrations captured in this film by Roy Spence. Drawing inspiration from their surroundings this craft is a rewarding addition to their varied lives and a valuable contribution to the future. The Lace Guild of Northern Ireland continue to pass on these lace making skills to a new generation at the Ulster Folk Museum.
As rural ways of life were engulfed by an ever more industrialised North the Ulster Folk Museum was born from a 1958 act of parliament. It continues to create a lively world of artefacts to preserve disappearing traditions for future generations. Visitors can experience the buildings, tools and crafts of the past from the weaver’s loom to the blacksmith's forge. Twin brothers Roy and Noel Spence have been making films for over fifty years; with subjects including crafty leprechauns, creatures from outer space, and the undead. You can enjoy many of these fantastical creations and more of Roy’s craft documentaries on BFI Player. This film is courtesy of Roy Spence and is held in the Irish Film Archive.
Related
Watch for free
Tie and Dye Tie and Dye
Cinemagazine 1970 3 mins
A snazzy intro to the ancient textile-dyeing technique taking the 70s fashion world by storm.
Watch for free
Time on the Wing Time on the Wing
Sponsored film 1969 33 mins Location: Darlington
Everything you always wanted to know about North East homing pigeons (but were afraid to ask).
Watch for free
Make-do-and-mend Make-do-and-mend
Animation & Artists Moving Image 1945 1 mins
A wartime family look on in amazement as their old clothes offer useful advice on how to make their clothing coupons go further.
Watch for free
To Cane a Trout To Cane a Trout
Promotional 1974 34 mins Location: River Aln
Quiet reflection on angling and the craft of elegant cane rods from the famous Hardy Brothers of Alnwick.
Watch for free
Pipe Dreams Pipe Dreams
Amateur film 1965 3 mins Location: Wakefield
A once common object in many households becomes transformed into a quirky dancing troupe in this simple homespun animation.
Watch for free
Model Clipper Sailor Model Clipper Sailor
Current affairs 1965 2 mins Location: Plymouth
Former shipwright turns his talents to model-making.
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
Summer Holiday Summer Holiday
Home movie 1961 8 mins Silent Location: Carrickfergus
Join the Carrey family as they entertain each other during a summer adventure around the north of Ireland.
Watch for free
The Haunted School The Haunted School
Amateur film 1955 9 mins Silent Location: Stormont
School boy antics take a supernatural turn in this silent slapstick ghost story made by pupils in a Belfast boarding school.
Watch for free
Seventh Angel Seventh Angel
Amateur film 1962 10 mins Location: Belfast
It was a day like any other for Percy Faith until he hears a voice he’ll never forget.
Watch for free
Ulster Heritage Ulster Heritage
Documentary 1961 16 mins Silent Location: Ballymoney
A jaunty guide to life and industry in Ulster which focuses on a Northern Irish farming family.
Watch for free
Ulster To-day Ulster To-day
Sponsored film 1967 18 mins Location: Irish Sea
From ancient crafts to state of the art computer production discover how "Ulster is not just yesterday, it is also tomorrow". Forget hindsight and enjoy this industrial dream.
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.