Shooting Ireland: The American tourism market and promotional film.

Abstract

The 1950s emerges as a key decade in the development of modem Irish tourism. This paper explores the interplay of romantic and nostalgic images of Ireland with the opening of the Irish tourist market to a wider audience through the medium of film. Irish American influence is clearly seen in the projection of a traditional, rural lifestyle. Though dominant culturally, mid‐century Irish American visitors tended to belong to the ‘visiting friends and relations’ category, less lucrative than the general vacation market. The early promotion of ‘non‐genealogical’ American tourism can be seen to extend to European markets later. Ironically, American finance and advice tended to confirm pre‐inde‐pendence places, tastes and activities rather than nationalist alternatives.

Key index words:

• Film
• tourism
• Irish American