More Christmas TV Past

Here are some more clips from our Christmas past as covered by RTÉ Television, including "The Late Late Toy Show." Children give their account of the birth of Jesus, the Royal Showband go shopping and Irish troops celebrate the occasion in the Middle East. Watch some hardy souls go for a Christmas Day swim and see live turkeys being sold the old-style way at a country market. Also featured are reports on emigrants departing from Knock and what Christmas was like for the elderly and homeless in 1960s Ireland.

"You Can Sleep In My Stable With The Donkeys And The Horses"

Pupils of St Ronan's National School, Clondalkin, give their account of the birth of Jesus.

"Oh Pray For Me Dear Ireland, And All Thy Beggars Too"

Christmas is often a time when television highlights the plight of those less fortunate in society. In this report from 1969, Cathal O'Shannon talks to the wandering bard and musician Francis Kendall-Husband. The homeless Francis talks about his experiences of Christmas in the west of Ireland.

Showband Stars Shopping Spree

Brendan Bowyer and members of the Royal Showband go shopping in Dublin's city-centre accompanied by dancing girls.

Peace On Earth, Goodwill Toward Men

John Skehan visits Irish troops serving with the United Nations in Cyprus and the Holy Land. Soldiers and their wives talk about their lives away from home and spending Christmas in the Middle East.

Celebrities Murder Christmas Carol

A number of celebrities sing carols out of tune, much to the amusement of Grafton Street shoppers.

Turkey Market

Getting the turkey for Christmas dinner was once far removed from picking up a frozen bird at the local supermarket. Have a look at the Christmas turkey trade at this country market, where live turkeys are brought to town in donkey-drawn carts and weighed on site.

Tears As Emigrants Leave Ireland After Christmas Break

Christmas in Ireland is a time for family gatherings. In periods of high emigration, this often meant thousands returning home for the holidays. After Christmas, there would be a mass departure. Jim Fahy reports from Knock Airport as thousands of those who had been home for Christmas leave Irish shores again.

Late Late Toy Show 1981

Gay Byrne demonstrates the toys Major Morgan, UFO and a model minibus from Sony that plays vinyl records! In keeping with the traditions of "The Late Late Toy Show," there are children from the Billie Barry School and some dreadful jokes from Gay.

Alone For Christmas

Thousands of people are alone for Christmas. A survey carried out in Offaly in 1964 found that 20% of people over the age of 65 were living alone. "On the Land" visited three of these men, who talk about their circumstances and how they will spend Christmas in the following clip. Dr Reeves, the county medical officer, and nurse Cathleen O'Hara also discuss the plight of the elderly.

Christmas Swim

Another tradition is taking to the sea on Christmas morning at the Forty Foot and Clontarf in Dublin.

"When It's Christmas, You Are Supposed To Give Baby Jesus a Love"

Children at school in Stanhope Street talk about the birth of Jesus and sing some carols for reporter Siobhan Cleary.

Gardaí Target Christmas Tree Theft

Garda Sergeant John Molloy of Rathfarnham tells reporter John Ross about efforts to stop the theft of Christmas trees from Dublin forests.

Lighting Up For Christmas

Householders across the country adorn their houses with a vast array of Christmas lights and decorations.

Christmas at a Time of Recession

8 December was traditionally the day when the Irish did their Christmas shopping. Caroline Erskine reports from Dublin city-centre on Christmas shopping at a time of recession and the prevailing demand for snooker tables.

Kilmore Carols

Six Wexford men keep up a 300-year-old tradition of singing 16th and 17th century Christmas carols in an unusual style.

"Just Dying to See Everybody"

As Irish emigrants return home for Christmas, their joy is tempered by the harsh reality of being separated from their families for the rest of the year. Jim Fahy speaks to passengers arriving at Knock Airport.

Christmas Shopping in New York

Due to a strong Irish economy and a weak US dollar, many people travel to New York to do their Christmas shopping. RTÉ News joins Mary Foran and Maureen O'Grady in their hunt for a bargain.

"The Wrapping Paper: 5 For 20"

Aonghus McAnally visits Henry Street, Dublin, at Christmas and talks to traders and shoppers. He gets a lesson in selling wrapping paper and meets Brigid Ward, who is keeping up a family tradition of selling wax flowers.

"Dear Santa, I Hope You Are Well..."

In a short piece of film made for "Newsbeat" in 1967, a young girl wanders through Dublin streets at Christmas while we hear her telling Frank Hall about her letter to Santa.

"Zig is Very High on the Naughty Things List"

Here is a "Den" Christmas special with Ray D'Arcy, Zig and Zag. Patrick the Postman delivers a letter to Zig from Santa with some bad news.