**Historic Pictures: A Glimpse into Ireland’s Past Through the IFI Archive Player**
“Historic Pictures,” a newsreel from 1921, is now available to stream on the Irish Film Institute’s (IFI) Archive Player. This fascinating footage shows images of the elected representatives of Southern Ireland who approved the Anglo-Irish Treaty alongside members of the provisional government. Among those featured in the Irish newsreel are notable figures Michael Collins and Arthur Griffith, prominently positioned in the front row.
The Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed in London on December 6, 1921. Following a lengthy debate, Dáil Éireann voted to approve the treaty on January 7, 1922, with the final count standing at 64 in favor and 57 against.
At the time, newsreels, radio, and newspapers were the primary ways for the Irish public to stay informed about major events. However, until recently, many of these Irish newsreel stories—originally filmed by British agencies—were not housed in an Irish archive and had been unavailable to the public since their first distribution nearly 100 years ago.
### The Irish Independence Film Collection
The Decade of Commemorations provided the Irish Film Institute with a unique opportunity to create *The Irish Independence Film Collection*. This collection comprises Topical Budget and British Pathé newsreels, supported by the Department of Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht.
As part of this project, the IFI successfully repatriated, safeguarded, and shared these vital visual documents—centralizing them in Ireland for the first time and making them accessible to the Irish public. It was essential for the IFI Irish Film Archive to secure the highest quality copies of this remarkable historical material, which vividly details the political, social, and cultural events that shaped the Irish State.
To ensure the best preservation outcome, the IFI collaborated closely with the custodians of these collections, including the British Film Institute and British Pathé. Recognizing the age and fragility of the original newsreels, IFI persuaded both organizations to revisit the original nitrate film prints and meticulously digitize them to HD quality.
The result is stunning: the newly digitized footage offers unprecedented clarity, allowing even those familiar with this material to see details that were previously indistinct in a whole new light.
### Curating and Cataloguing with Expert Assistance
To further enhance the collection’s value, the IFI enlisted help from the National Museum of Ireland and University College Cork. Their expert staff contributed to curating and cataloguing the content, ensuring that information about important events, people, and locations was accurate—correcting details originally missed by non-Irish cataloguers.
### Celebrating the Centenary and Preserving Irish Heritage
As part of the national centenary celebrations, the Irish Film Institute has created a project that not only honors this momentous period in Ireland’s history but will also have lasting value for the Irish public.
*Historic Pictures* is published here thanks to the Irish Film Institute, with whom IrishCentral has partnered to bring you a taste of this remarkable collection.
You can explore all IrishCentral articles and videos related to the IFI [here](#).
### Explore More Historic Irish Footage
To watch more historic Irish footage, visit the IFI Archive Player—the Irish Film Institute’s virtual viewing room that provides free, instant access to Irish heritage preserved in the IFI Irish Film Archive.
Irish culture from the last century is reflected across documentaries, animation, adverts, amateur footage, feature films, and much more.
The IFI Archive Player App is also available to download for free on iPhone, Android, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Roku, making it easy to enjoy Irish history wherever you are.
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*Originally published in 2023, updated in September 2025.*
https://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/historic-pictures-irish-1921