RTE Closedown 1961

RTE Closedown used form 1961 to 1966, officers Lieutenant James (Jim) Mortell and James Foran raising the national flag with a guard of honour at Collins Barracks, Dublin, shots of Nelson’s Pillar and the GPO on O’Connell Street, Dublin; St Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, Co. Cork; children entering Colaiste Mhuire in Mullingar; RTÉ mast at Donnybrook, Dublin; the ESB turf burning [power station at Ferbane, Co Offaly; Verlome dock yards in Cork; Ardnacrusha power station on the Shannon; a fishing trawler in Howth; a tractor harvesting near Saggart, Co Dublin; a CIE train; and an Aer Lingus DC-10 taking off at Dublin airport.The musical arrangement was by Brian Boydell and produced by Gerard Victory. The national anthem was the first thing shown on the opening night of television. Produced on 35mm film the images were photographed by Michael Monaghan and the piece was directed and edited by William F Harpur. This version of the national anthem was broadcast at closedown of each day’s transmission and was used until 1966.