Hall's Pictorial Weekly in Ballymahon, Co. Longford, Ireland 1979

Ballymahon and the people of the town are the stars of this opening sequence to 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly.

People in Ballymahon are going about their daily business, collecting groceries, delivering bread, and sweeping the streets when the 'Hall's Pictorial Weekly' film crew visit. Some people are happy to pose of wave to the camera while the local cats scavenge in the bins.

Once a week from June to September, the ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ film crew would arrive at a town or village in any county in Ireland. They would film the people and the place and return to RTÉ where the footage was edited and put to music.

This short film of around one minute’s duration formed part of the opening sequence for that week’s episode. As it was not advertised as part of the television listings in the RTÉ Guide or newspapers, people watched in the hope it was the turn of their town or village to have its moment of fame.

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 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.

This episode of ‘Hall’s Pictorial Weekly’ was broadcast on 21 March 1979.