‘100 Years collection’ of classic programmes…
Colin Farrell’s arrival to Ballykissangel, an early television appearance from Liam Neeson and the first colour TV documentary from BBC Northern Ireland, form part of a collection of programmes marking 100 years of the BBC’s services in the area.
“The collection of BBC Northern Ireland programmes can be found by searching for ‘100 Years’ on BBC iPlayer.” – BBC NI
Starting with the first episode of Ulster Mirror broadcast in 1954 – just a year after television came to Northern Ireland in 1953 – the collection features classic comedy, documentaries, chat shows, children’s TV and music.
The classic comedy, Two Ceasefires And A Wedding, from 1995, is one of a double helping from the Hole in The Wall Gang with another classic episode of Give My Head Peace from 2001, Shoes of The Fishermen, also included.
The legendary broadcaster Gerry Anderson is also featured in the collection with a 1992 episode of Anderson On The Box with guests Josef Locke and Roma Downey and his 1987 documentary, My Derry.
Also included is Fit-Ups, the first BBC Northern Ireland documentary in colour, was shown in 1969 and focused on the Courtney Brothers travelling variety show. Seamus Heaney recites some of his work in a 1970 black and white programme titled, Viewpoint: Door Into The Dark, while Hollywood star and Ballymena native, Liam Neeson presents a 1978 Ulster In Focus programme on trains.
Sinead O’Connor and U2 feature on an episode of Whistle Test from 1987– in the same week the band released The Joshua Tree.
007 himself, Roger Moore, is a guest on The John Daly Show from 2001, while a black and white documentary from 1957, Rathlin: The Island Betwixt and Between, takes a look at life on the island. An episode of the classic children’s series, Why Don’t You? from 1981 is also available.
The collection also includes a special interview hosted by BBC Radio Ulster presenter Stephen Rainey talking to historian Robert JE Simpson titled Introducing BBC Northern Ireland’s Centenary Collection discussing the collection of programmes marking 100 years of Beeb services in Northern Ireland.
