Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' (1934)
A compact 1934 MGM travelogue capturing the rural charm, historic castles, and coastal beauty of Ireland in just eight minutes.
Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' - Movie Information
- Original Title: Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle'
- Release Year: 1934
- Directed by: Ruth FitzPatrick
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Documentary
- Runtime: 8m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): December 11, 1934 (United States)
- Alternative Titles: James A. FitzPatrick's Traveltalks: Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' (US)
- Production Companies: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- Production Countries: United States of America
Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' - Plot
This Traveltalk visit to Ireland starts with a look at the countryside, with its farms, small villages, and fields with walls and fences built of stone without the use of mortar. We then visit Hope Castle in Castleblayney and end our journey in Galway.
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Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Ruth FitzPatrick
Main Cast
- James A. FitzPatrick
Producers
- James A. FitzPatrick
Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' - FAQs
What is Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' about?
This charming 1934 short documentary takes viewers on a scenic tour of Ireland, showcasing rural countryside, stone-walled farms, and quiet villages. The journey winds through Hope Castle in Castleblayney before concluding in the coastal city of Galway, offering a vivid snapshot of Ireland as it appeared in the early 1930s.
Who directed Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle'?
Ruth FitzPatrick directed this short film, part of the popular MGM Traveltalks series. The series was produced and narrated by James A. FitzPatrick, who brought dozens of international destinations to American cinema audiences throughout the 1930s and 1940s.
Where can you watch Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' online?
You can check current streaming availability for Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' on JustWatch, which tracks all legal viewing options across platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your location and the services you subscribe to.
What is the MGM Traveltalks series?
MGM Traveltalks was a beloved short-film series produced by James A. FitzPatrick from the late 1920s through the 1950s. Each installment whisked cinema audiences to a different corner of the world, combining travelogue narration with location footage. The series earned FitzPatrick the nickname "The Voice of the Globe."
How long is Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle'?
The film runs just 8 minutes, making it a compact but evocative travelogue. Like all entries in the Traveltalks series, it was designed as a short supporting feature shown before the main attraction in American movie theaters during the 1930s.
Is Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle' a historically significant film?
Yes, it holds real historical value. Released in 1934, the film preserves rare footage of rural Ireland during the early years of the Irish Free State. The stone-walled fields, village life, and landmarks like Hope Castle in Castleblayney offer an authentic visual record of the era that is difficult to find elsewhere.
What locations are featured in Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle'?
The film visits several distinct Irish settings: the rural countryside with its distinctive dry-stone walls and farmland, Hope Castle in Castleblayney, County Monaghan, and the western city of Galway. Together these locations paint a broad picture of Ireland's landscape and architectural heritage in the 1930s.
What are similar films to Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle'?
If you enjoy vintage travelogue filmmaking, look out for Serene Siam (1937), Glimpses of Peru (1937), and Czechoslovakia on Parade (1938), all from the same era. For more contemporary documentary travel films, The Irish Pub (2013) and The Endless Summer (1966) offer engaging explorations of place and culture.
More About Ireland: 'The Emerald Isle'
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