Celebrating Lucan’s Timeless Charm: A Nostalgic Journey with RTE’s Hall’s Pictorial Weekly 1976
View a lovely film clip of Lucan in the RTE Archive https://www.rte.ie/archives/2021/1103/1257666-lucan-locals/
In the opening sequence of “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly,” our small village of Lucan in County Dublin took centre stage, capturing the essence of daily life and the familiar faces that coloured its streets. This nostalgic journey back to 1976 paints a vivid picture of a bygone era in Lucan, where the ordinary became extraordinary on the television screen. At that time there were 12,451 people living in and around Lucan village all of them blissfully unaware that some of them were about to become stars of the small screen.
The journey begins at 15 seconds into the film with a visit to the Coffee House, a beloved local haunt, now demolished. It stood where the road is now up to Laraghcon.
Just five seconds later, a breath-taking view of Lucan Weir and Weir View unfolds, a picturesque spot that holds a special place in the hearts of Lucan’s residents. Its timeless beauty remains etched in the memories of those who frequented it. It hasn’t changed a bit and you should find it well recognisable.
At the 20-second mark, the old public toilet block at the village green makes an appearance. While it may have been a mundane structure, it was a familiar landmark that defined the village’s landscape. We used to sit on the roof for the St. Patrick’s Day Parades, great view.
Mr. Toolan and his son Michael warmly greet the camera at 36 seconds. Their shop in Lucan Village served as a gathering place for locals, a hub of community life.
The 38-second mark captures Seanie Gannon, Paddy Kilduff, and Larry O’Neill, returning from a round of Pitch & Putt at Lucan. Their camaraderie reflects the spirit of the village, where friendships were forged and laughter was abundant.
At 54 seconds, the familiar sight of Mr. Moffet peddling his bike around Lucan, a daily ritual that was a comforting sight for all who resided there.
Sheila and Denise Corrigan grace the screen at 58 seconds, adding a touch of grace and charm to the film.
Mrs. Saunders, wielding her sweeping brush, makes her debut at the one-minute mark. She was a well-known figure, diligently ensuring that the village’s pathways remained pristine.
Also featured are May Muldowney and Mrs Bennett from Arthur Griffith Park.
The Griffeen becomes a backdrop for Sharon Speight and a gang of children, capturing a moment of childhood joy at 1:02 minutes. It also features a young John Kenny of Kennys of Lucan waving and with his well know big smile beaming at the cameras.
The film, lovingly preserved on the RTE website, serves as a poignant reminder of a simpler time. In 1976, “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly” took a snapshot of Lucan’s heart and soul, immortalizing its people and landmarks for future generations to cherish.
Once a week, from June to September, the “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly” film crew embarked on a journey to towns and villages across Ireland. They documented the people and places, returning to RTE to edit the footage and add the iconic theme music. The resulting one-minute film formed the opening sequence for the week’s episode. The chosen location remained a well-guarded secret, adding an element of suspense for viewers nationwide.
On November 17, 1976, this particular episode of “Hall’s Pictorial Weekly” showcased Lucan, allowing its residents to bask in a few minutes of fame. It was an era when communities came together in anticipation of their moment in the spotlight, and Lucan’s timeless charm shone brightly for all to see.
