Christmas Time on Tory Island, Co. Donegal, Ireland 1981

The islands of Ireland have their own unique traditions at Christmas time.

Christmas time is special, but there’s something really special about Christmas on an island. Pádraic Ó Catháin presents 'Cuairt Nollag ar Thóraigh', a filmed report of a visit to Tory Island off the coast of Donegal.

Is dócha go bhfuil draíocht áraid ag baint leis an Nollaig chuile áit, ach is mó ná sin, draíocht a bhaineas le Nollaig ar oileán.

The summer visitors have gone and the fishing boats are tied up for the winter. In some respects how people celebrate Christmas here has not changed for generations.

Unlike their counterparts on the mainland, the children don’t visit Santa Claus, or go on shopping trips to big stores. Instead, the pupils of Scoil Thóraigh National School get into the Christmas spirit by making their own decorations for their classroom, with help from their teachers.

While there is much talk these days about the encroaching commercialism of Christmas, this hasn’t happened on Tory yet. Children look forward to Christmas just as much as they have ever done.

'Fáilte: Christmas Time on Tory Island / Cuairt Nollag ar Thóraigh' was broadcast on 25 December 1981.