Christmas in Full Swing in Belfast, Dublin & Cork City. Ireland 1979

In Dublin, Belfast and Cork the shops are packed with people purchasing gifts for Christmas.
Santa at Clerys department store in Dublin is a busy man as children tell him what they would like to get for Christmas. Among the most requested items are tree houses, Evel Knievels and Sindy dolls.
It's standing room only in the great Christmas crush.
Mr Keane the general manager at Clerys says this is the best and busiest Christmas the store has experienced in ten years. Today alone, the store expects to take in between £200,000 and £230,000. He predicts revenue on Saturday will reach £300,000.
Street traders on Henry Street are also busy but not willing to reveal how much they will make.
In Belfast, there were queues at the security gates which seal off the main shopping district. Retailers are happy with the level of trade and believe it will continue to improve in the coming days. Electronic gadgets such as video games are the big sellers this year.
In Cork, Patrick Street has no Christmas lights for the first time in years due to the high cost. Despite the lack of a Christmas atmosphere, business in the shops remains brisk.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 December 1979.

[@eibhlinnichrualoai]

Thank you so much for these memories ❤

[@CosmicTeapot]

I love how the store Santa couldn't be bothered to change his regular voice for the kids 😂

[@theeggtimertictic1136]

My brother got Evel Knievel ... big let down ... Didnt live up to the advert hype at all. I did love my Sindy though 😊

[@UlrichMcBeardface]

Evel Knievel never overcame that vicious cycle

[@brianquigley1940]

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