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
Holywood May Queen and Maypole dance (1958)
A flamboyant jester leads the way as crowds of children flock to celebrate Holywood's May Queen
From the collection of:
Overview
The crowned with flowers a graceful May Queen glides through Holywood with her delighted young attendants. A bemused crowd watch the jester skip and kick her way to the Maypole. Flanked by a large crowd she leads the Maypole Dance in front of the passive May Queen. Despite the absence of sound the children’s enthusiastic performances are delightful to watch. Before the speeches begin catch a glimpse of the Victoria Bar whilst people watch the festivities from High Street.
These rushes are amongst a wealth of footage that was generated by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board. This government department had their own staff who documented the region through stills and moving images and the films they created capture various facets of life in Northern Ireland. The department was particularly busy in the mid-1950s to late 1960s, creating films that aimed to sell Northern Ireland as a holiday destination. This material captures Northern Ireland at an intriguing time, post-World War Two and pre-Troubles.
Related
Watch for free
Dust on the Bible Dust on the Bible
Documentary 1989 52 mins Location: Belfast
Encounter Belfast's very own manic street preachers in this powerful documentary.
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
Sodom and Begorrah Sodom and Begorrah
Amateur film 1967 14 mins Location: Holywood
Amusing fantasy of the adventures of a priest who finds his new parish in the grip of the most blatant depravity
Watch for free
Blossom and Birds Blossom and Birds
Sport 1958 12 mins Silent Location: County Antrim
Ulster plays to the camera in these delightful scenes by the Northern Ireland Tourist Board.
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.