This film is part of Free

Ireland Welcomes O'Leary V.C.
In Dublin the newsreel cameras capture a hero’s welcome for a decorated Irish Guardsman.
Overview
A simple newsreel story that reminds us history is never simple. Decorated Irish Guardsman Michael O'Leary enjoys a hero's welcome in Dublin, captured in footage filmed with the rough immediacy of the present tense. Within a year, Dublin's Easter Rising would begin the historic chain of events leading to a newly independent nation - forever changing the meaning of images like these.
Cork-born O'Leary was one of the most celebrated Irish war combatants, having won the Victoria Cross for singlehandedly taking two German barricades on the Western Front. As suggested here, he and his story were used for recruiting purposes in Ireland, but following independence the British war service of the likes of O'Leary quickly came to be seen as an awkward irrelevance at best. Ireland today is looking afresh at the complex place of World War I in her national story and films like this have their part to play in this fascinating process.
Related

Patrol in the Desert Patrol in the Desert
Non-Fiction 1915 3 mins Silent
Shades of Lawrence of Arabia in a worn but often beautiful film of WWI desert exercises in Egypt.

Outposts of Empire Outposts of Empire
Non-Fiction 1915 1 mins Silent
British troops try to coax and cajole their pack animals on to a military supply train, but they're stubborn as mules...

Anti-German War Cartoons Anti-German War Cartoons
Trick film 1915 5 mins Silent
Follow the lightning-quick hand of the artist behind a series of comic cartoon sketches poking fun at the enemy during WWI.

Preston and District Roll of Honour, 6th, 7th, 5th Series Preston and District Roll of Honour, 6th, 7th, 5th Series
Non-Fiction 1915 14 mins Silent
A rare surviving WWI memorial film, featuring poignant images of men killed or injured serving in the armed forces.

Little Pippin Little Pippin
Drama 1915 14 mins Silent
An abandoned baby girl is found in an apple barrel and adopted by a humble grocer in this sentimental wartime fiction.

In Ancient Sussex In Ancient Sussex
Non-Fiction 1915 7 mins Silent Location: Chichester
Attractive travelogue exploring famous old Sussex landmarks, taking in views including Chichester, Lewes, Arundel and Bosham.

Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode Daniel Craig in Conversation with Mark Kermode
Inside Film 2025 44 mins
Daniel Craig talks to Mark Kermode about his acting career, from his early role in Love is the Devil through to the Luca Guadagnino directed Queer.

New Perspectives: Fish Tank New Perspectives: Fish Tank
Short documentary 2025 4 mins
Adam Smith of Northumbria University explains why Andrea Arnold's coming-of-age story, about a girl who uses dance to escape, is his favourite film on BFI Player.

New Perspectives: Pusher New Perspectives: Pusher
Short documentary 2025 5 mins
Noah Ball of Northumbria University explains why you should seize the chance to watch Nicolas Winding Refn's debut.

Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A Twin Peaks star Kyle MacLachlan on working with David Lynch - Q&A
Inside Film 2025 38 mins
Kyle MacLachlan talks to BFI CEO Ben Roberts about working with David Lynch on the legendary series Twin Peaks.

On Falling - Exclusive Q&A On Falling - Exclusive Q&A
Inside Film 2025 30 mins
Writer-director Laura Carreira talks to Nia Childs about her debut feature, On Falling.

Layla - Exclusive Q&A Layla - Exclusive Q&A
Short interview 2025 27 mins
Writer, director and performer Amrou Al-Kadhi talks to Rico Johnson-Sinclair about their debut feature.