ACE096.3 (00:08:26 - 00:18:25)
Caption: “Extra-curricular music class, St. Joseph’s School, Luton, Bedfordshire.” Girls being coached in accordion-playing. Commentary talks about the Society for the Preservation of Irish Music, Song and Dance, and the numbers of children eager to join the classes. Man leading class of mixed musicians. Music continues over street scenes in Luton. Caption: “Tuesday’s class, the Griffin-O’Loughlin School of Irish Dancing, Richmond, Surrey.” Step-dancing class. Woman’s VO saying that children have to work hard at their dancing if they’re to be any good, and about the expenses involved. Parents sitting nearby. Girl in dancing costume with awards. Caption: “Dress Fitting for Irish Step-dancing costumes, Mrs.Weir’s, Tennyson Rd. Coventry.” Fitting a little girl’s dress. Looking for decorative design in Book of Kells. Caption: “Weekly Céilí. St. Augustine’s Parish hall (R.C.), Hammersmith, W. London.” Costume parade. Man directing participants. Audience. Prizewinners. Woman’s VO talking about this event being a family occasion. Man’s VO talking about coming to the céilí for 25 years and never having witnessed any trouble. Dancing. Commentary describes the atmostphere as being more like Ireland 30 years ago than Ireland now.

ACE096.4 (00:18:25 - 00:28:31)
Night street scenes. Woman’s VO singing Ewan McColl’s Britain’s Motorways. Caption: “St. Brendan’s Club, Coventry, West Midlands.” Singer continues. Scenes in the club. Man sings The Home I Left Behind. Step-dancing. Commentary talks about everyone in the clubs knowing each other and the songs and dances being common property, relating to shared historical and personal experience. Boy sings James Connolly. Caption: “Lucy Farr recalls the Ballinakill Céilí Band. At home, Lewisham, S. London.” Farr playing fiddle. Commentary talks about the band and their music. Farr talks about “the Ballinakill sound”, about the musicians, and relates an anecdote about two of them trying to work out a particular tune.

ACE096.5 (00:28:31 - 00:39:23)
Caption: “Brendan Mulkere records for his Inchecronin label, Silvermore Studios, Chessington, Surrey.” Commentary talks about the dissemination of traditional music through radio, television and recording. Mulkere trying a fiddle. Musicians start playing. Commentary says that fiddler’s style, once that of his local home area, is now entirely personal, having been influenced by playing from all over Ireland. Young banjo player who, commentary says, was born in England and is thus further removed from parochial roots. “Caption: “Saturday night at the Spotted Dog, Willesden, N.W. London.” The Caravelles performing The Rocks of Bawn. Commentary points out that they’ve turned it into a waltz. People dancing. The Wexford Mummers perform a traditional dance. Commentary talks about the history and symbolism of such groups.

ACE096.6 (00:39:23 - 00:49:48)
Caption: “Feis (Irish Step Dancing competition), Brent Town Hall, N. London.” Girl practising. Audience arriving. Commentary says that winners will go on to compete in Dublin. Competitors preparing. MC. Competition. Adjudicator’s VO explains the points to look for, about individual interpretation, and choreography. Prize-giving. Commentary points to the three million children in Britain whose Irish parents are passing on their culture – under threat in Ireland itself – so that it survives in British working class communities. Credits.