Letter from Northern Ireland

An English visitor vividly recalls all the sights and excitement of her memorable holiday in Northern Ireland.

This enchanting visual 'letter' home creates a rich tapestry of the delights Northern Ireland has to offer. Get caught in the spell of the icons of Ulster's landscape be it the imposing Slemish Mountain, ancient monuments, or journey by car along the dramatic Antrim Coast road. Enjoy the thrill of the TT Race or the thundering hooves at the Royal Down Race Course and Balmoral show. If you prefer a more leisurely pace there are many pleasurable ways of doing absolutely nothing.

This film comes from the collection of National Museums Northern Ireland. The Northern Ireland Tourist Board had their own staff that 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 like this 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.