Hall’s Pictorial Weekly in Abbeyfeale, Co. Limerick, Ireland 1977

Scenes from the historical market town of Abbeyfeale in County Limerick. The opening sequence for this episode of 'Hall’s Pictorial Weekly' features a number of the inhabitants of Abbeyfeale in County Limerick. The main road through the town is a hive of activity with people going about their daily business, including a bread deliveryman making a stop-off at a shop. His van bears the name Bácús Uí Néill. Due to the fine weather, a number of passers-by are eating ice-creams and a little girl and boy sitting together on a step offer their Super Spilts to an easy-going Labrador dog. A close up of an advertisement in a window shows the entertainment on offer in The Geraldines Lounge in Railway Road over the coming weekend. The Reverend William Casey Memorial in the Market Square is also featured a number of times. Father Casey was parish priest in Abbeyfeale from 1887 to 1903 and helped tenant farmers fight against their landlords. This episode of ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ was filmed on 10 September 1977. It was broadcast on 19 September 1977. The producer/director is John Condon. Frank Hall’s amusing and satirical series began on 29 September 1971 with the full title ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly Incorporating the Provincial Vindicator’ which became known as ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’. The series allowed Frank Hall to follow his own interest in the lives of viewers throughout the country. Regarded as RTÉ’s flagship comedy show, it featured satirical sketches on current news stories and popular culture, as well as parody songs, comedy sketches, re-edited videos, cartoons and spoof television formats. The show ran for nine series until 1980.