The 1970s travelogue "Golf in Ireland" is now available to stream for free via the Irish Film Institute's IFI Archive Player.
The short film, aimed at golfing enthusiasts, shows two of Ireland’s most famous golfers - Christy O’Connor and Jack B. Carr - playing on various golf courses throughout Ireland.
Made by Robert Monks Film Services for Bord Fáilte Ireland in the 1970s, the promotional film highlights the landscape and climate that make Ireland so suitable for golf.
A wealth of golf courses around Ireland are showcased, with the beautiful Irish countryside providing an unmatched backdrop for the game.
J.B. Carr represented Ireland in numerous amateur golfing events throughout his long career. In 2007, he was elected into the World Golf Hall of Fame in the Lifetime Achievement category followed by Christy O’Connor (or “Wristy Christy” as he was also known) two years later. Both golfers dominated Irish Golf throughout the ‘50s, ‘60s, and ‘70s and were revered as national heroes who famously took on international giants and beat them.
"Golf in Ireland" is a part of the Irish Film Institute's Bord Fáilte Film Collection.
The Irish Film Institute's Bord Fáilte Film Collection
Some of the largest collections held by the IFI Irish Film Archive come from Government departments and State and semi-state bodies. Apart from their educational and entertainment value in a country that did not have its own television station until 1961, these state-sponsored produced films are noteworthy not only for their high production values and interesting content, but also for the calibre of those involved in their creation.
Luminaries of the Irish acting world would often make appearances, and at a time when the Irish film industry was underdeveloped and opportunities for technical training were limited, important figures such as Louis Marcus, Bob Monks, Colm Ó Laoghaire, George Fleischmann, Gerard Healy, and Rex Roberts all found gainful employment in their production.
Films made for Bord Fáilte provide not only a beautiful record of Ireland’s landscape and topography throughout the 20th century, but also serve to illustrate the development of the Irish tourist industry and the image that ‘brand’ Ireland was endeavouring to project, as it marketed itself as an international tourist destination.
"Golf in Irleand" is published here with kind permission from Fáilte Ireland and thanks to the Irish Film Institute (IFI), who IrishCentral has partnered up with to bring you a taste of what their remarkable collection entails. You can find all IrishCentral articles and videos from the IFI here.
To watch more historic Irish footage, visit the IFI Archive Player, the Irish Film Institute’s virtual viewing room that provides audiences around the globe free, instant access to Irish heritage preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive. Irish Culture from the last century is reflected through documentaries, animation, adverts, amateur footage, feature films, and much more. You can also download the IFI Archive Player App for free on iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku.
IrishCentral has partnered up with the IFI to bring you a taste of what their remarkable collections entail. You can find all IrishCentral articles and videos from the IFI here.
