The people and village of Bruree are the stars of this opening sequence for 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly'.
Bruree, (in Irish Brú Rí meaning '(the) abode of kings') is situated on the river Maigue in south County Limerick. It served as an alternative seat for the Kings of Munster from ancient times until the end of the twelfth century. The Irish bardic poets met here twice a year up until 1746.
In modern times the best known person from Bruree is Éamon de Valera. Born in the United States he was brought back here by his mother at the age of three, and was raised by his grandmother, aunt and uncle.
Tractors seem to be the main vehicles passing through the village today, and the bus to Cork city makes a stop. Two local men taking a cigarette break look over at the camera, while one lady who has been shopping heads home with her groceries.
This episode of ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ was broadcast on 17 January 1974.
Once a week, from June to September, the ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ film crew would arrive at a town or village in any county in Ireland. They would film the people and the place and return to RTÉ where the footage was edited and put to music.
This short film of around one minute’s duration formed part of the opening sequence for that week’s episode. But no-one knew which location had been chosen, and it was not advertised as part of the programme billings in the RTÉ Guide or newspapers.
So with this in mind, people the length and breadth of the country tuned in religiously, in case it was the turn of their town or village to have its few minutes of fame.
