Historic Pictures: A Glimpse into Ireland’s Pivotal Moments Now Streaming on the IFI Archive Player
Historic Pictures, a newsreel from 1921, is now available to stream on the Irish Film Institute’s (IFI) Archive Player. This remarkable footage features elected representatives of Southern Ireland who approved the Anglo-Irish Treaty alongside members of the provisional government. Notably, figures such as Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith appear prominently in the front row of this Irish newsreel.
The Anglo-Irish Treaty, signed in London on December 6, 1921, was a landmark agreement that led to the establishment of the Irish Free State. Following a lengthy debate, Dáil Éireann voted to approve the treaty on January 7, 1922, with 64 votes in favour and 57 against.
During this era, newsreels, radio broadcasts, and newspapers were the primary sources through which the public kept up to date with significant events. However, until recently, many of these Irish newsreel stories—filmed by British agencies—had not been held in an Irish archive. In fact, numerous reels had not been publicly available since their initial distribution nearly 100 years ago.
The Irish Independence Film Collection: Preserving a Nation’s Heritage
The Decade of Commemorations presented the Irish Film Institute with a unique opportunity to create The Irish Independence Film Collection. This collection comprises newsreels from Topical Budget and British Pathe, created with the support of the Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht.
As part of this project, the IFI succeeded in repatriating, safeguarding, and sharing these vital visual documents. For the very first time, the material has been centralized in Ireland and made accessible to the Irish public. This undertaking was considered essential to preserve footage that vividly details the political, social, and cultural events that shaped the Irish State.
To ensure the best preservation outcomes, the IFI collaborated closely with the custodians of these archives—the British Film Institute and British Pathe. Recognizing the age and fragility of the nitrate film prints, the IFI convinced both organisations to return to the original nitrate originals and carefully digitize them to HD quality.
The newly digitized footage offers remarkable clarity and detail. Even viewers familiar with this material will find the enhanced visuals reveal elements that were previously indistinct, presenting these historic moments in a whole new light.
Expert Collaboration for Accurate Curation
To add further value to the collection, the IFI enlisted the assistance of the National Museum of Ireland and University College Cork. Their expertise was crucial in curating and cataloguing the content accurately, ensuring that key events, people, and locations—often missed by non-Irish cataloguers—are properly identified and contextualized.
Accessing Ireland’s Film Heritage
As part of the national centenary celebrations, the Irish Film Institute has crafted a project that not only commemorates this momentous period in Ireland’s history but also provides lasting value to the Irish public.
Historic Pictures is available to watch thanks to the Irish Film Institute, which has partnered with IrishCentral to offer a glimpse into their extraordinary collection. You can explore all IrishCentral articles and videos related to the IFI here.
To view more historic Irish footage, visit the IFI Archive Player, the Irish Film Institute’s virtual viewing room. It provides audiences worldwide with free, instant access to Irish heritage preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive. The collection includes documentaries, animation, adverts, amateur footage, feature films, and much more, reflecting Irish culture throughout the last century.
You can also download the IFI Archive Player app for free on iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku.
IrishCentral is proud to have partnered with the IFI to bring you highlights from these remarkable collections.
Originally published in 2023, updated in September 2025.
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/historic-pictures-irish-1921