**“Songs of the Emerald Isle” (1955) – A Charming Irish Travelogue Now Streaming Free**
The 1955 Irish travelogue short film, *Songs of the Emerald Isle*, is available to watch for free on the Irish Film Institute’s IFIPlayer. This delightful film presents five much-loved Irish airs and ballads set against the stunning backdrop of Ireland’s landscapes.
Featuring notable performances, Bing Crosby sings “How Can You Buy Killarney?” (from his *St Patrick’s Day Parade* album), John Feeney performs “The Connemara Shore,” and Connie Foley delivers a heartfelt rendition of “Lovely Leitrim.” These moving songs of yearning and nostalgia blend beautifully with visuals depicting Irish Travellers, fishermen, foresters, and farmers, alongside ancient monuments, rich farmlands, seascapes, and the iconic River Shannon.
In one memorable scene from County Cavan, the Power Dancers and Ulster champion Marie McCluskey perform lively jigs and reels in a schoolyard, accompanied by an accordion player, capturing the spirit of traditional Irish dance and music.
The film’s locations include Oughterard and Ashford Castle in County Mayo; Fenagh Abbey in County Leitrim; County Galway; Cavan; the River Shannon; and the rugged western coast.
This digital copy was created from the sole surviving print of the film preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive collection. The original 16mm print, clearly well-loved and frequently screened, shows signs of wear and tear, including occasional slight picture jumps and audio gaps. The IFI hopes these minor imperfections will not affect your enjoyment of this charming glimpse into mid-20th-century Irish life.
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 archival treasures held by the IFI. You can explore all IrishCentral articles and videos from the IFI [here](#).
For more historic Irish footage, visit the [IFI Player](https://ifiplayer.ie/), the Irish Film Institute’s virtual viewing room that provides free, instant access worldwide to Irish heritage preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive. Discover Ireland’s culture from the last century through documentaries, animation, adverts, amateur footage, feature films, and much more.
You can also download the IFI Player apps for free on iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku to enjoy this unique content anytime, anywhere.
*Originally published in 2021 and updated in 2025.*
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/irish-film-old-ireland