Ulster Behind the Headlines

Details

Location

Downpatrick

Year

1970

Date

Length

05min 04sec

Audio

sound

Format

16mm

colour

Source

Courtesy

British Film Institute, Central Office of Information

Rights Holder

British Film Institute

Description

This government film gives us one town's take on The Troubles.

Will level headedness triumph? Hear how the peace and good neighbourliness of Downpatrick contrasts with the violence and tension prevalent elsewhere in Northern Ireland. Listen to the opinions of various professional men as they recount their experience of ‘The Troubles’ so far. The town seems relatively unscathed by the conflict and the overall impression is of a largely integrated and harmonious place. Despite the escalation of violence elsewhere, there is still hope that tensions will not disintegrate this community. Downpatrick’s level head approach is not unique. But will it be enough to ‘cool the hot tempers’ in the years to come?

 

Notes

Filmed in 1970, just two years before the first recorded fatalities in Downpatrick took place when a premature bomb explosion at the racecourse grandstand killed two members of the Provisional IRA. This material was produced by the Central Office of Information and comes from the BFI collection.


Credits

Digitised as part of the BFI's Unlocking Film Heritage project.

Links

×

Please scroll to review and accept our terms and conditions (last updated on ) before viewing the moving images content.

To remember your terms and conditions acceptance, you can register as a site member or allow cookies on your browser.