**Songs of the Emerald Isle** (1955) — A Timeless Irish Travelogue Now Streaming Free on IFIPlayer
*Songs of the Emerald Isle*, an enchanting Irish travelogue from 1955, is now available to watch for free on the Irish Film Institute’s IFIPlayer. This short film beautifully showcases five much-loved Irish airs and ballads set against the stunning backdrop of the Irish landscape.
Featured performances include Bing Crosby singing “How Can You Buy Killarney?” (from his *St Patrick’s Day Parade* album), John Feeney’s rendition of “The Connemara Shore,” and Connie Foley’s heartfelt “Lovely Leitrim.” These evocative songs of yearning and nostalgia are brought to life with vivid imagery of Irish Travellers, fishermen, foresters, and farmers, alongside ancient monuments, lush farmlands, seascapes, and the majestic River Shannon.
In a charming scene set in Cavan, the Power Dancers and Ulster champion Marie McCluskey perform lively jigs and reels in a schoolyard, accompanied by an accordion player, capturing the vibrant spirit of traditional Irish dance.
**Filming Locations**
The film features picturesque locations including:
– Oughterard, Ashford Castle, County Mayo
– Fenagh Abbey, County Leitrim
– County Galway
– Cavan
– The River Shannon
– The western coast of Ireland
This digital copy was created from the only surviving print of the film, preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive collection. The original 16mm print shows signs of wear and tear—such as occasional slight picture jumps and audio gaps—testaments to its popularity and frequent screenings. The Irish Film Institute hopes these minor imperfections will not detract from your enjoyment of this charming cultural gem.
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**Watch and Explore More Irish Heritage**
The video below is published with the support of the Irish Film Institute (IFI), in partnership with IrishCentral, bringing you a taste of the remarkable IFI archive collection.
You can explore all IrishCentral articles and videos from IFI [here](#).
To watch more historic Irish footage, visit the [IFI Player](https://ifiplayer.ie), the Irish Film Institute’s virtual viewing room that provides 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 from the past century.
For even greater convenience, download the IFI Player apps for free on iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku.
*Originally published in 2021 and updated in 2025.*
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-film-old-ireland