Is this Irish pub’s Christmas ad the ‘best this year’?

A local Irish pub has entered the running for the best Christmas advert of 2018 with a self-produced short film about the impact of technology during the festive period.

Gerald Hough, manager of JJ Hough’s Singing Pub in Banagher, Co Offaly, and the short film’s director, made the advert to raise discussion about smartphones and family.

“It’s a social commentary on technology and how it’s not all bad, but also how we can use them to our benefit and improve our lives,” he told the Press Association.

Without TVs or technology to distract them, the locals gather at the JJ Hough’s to talk, laugh and celebrate Christmas together.

The finale sees the elderly man receives his own smartphone for Christmas and take a selfie with the grinning crowd, only to be found sat in the corner at the end, addicted to his device as the credits roll.

“I don’t want people to cast away technology, it’s more about how we can have balance and a bit of harmony between the analogue people and the digital people,” Hough said.

This is the third year in a row Hough, 39, has made a Christmas ad for the pub, the first focusing on a man who lost his presents and the second, Drone Alone, highlighting issues around loneliness at Christmas and how technology might help.

“His music just has a nice melancholic ring to it that goes with these videos,” Hough said.

One person called it the “best Christmas advert this year”.

“Christmas is for spending time with family, friends and loved ones, so be smart this Christmas and put the phones away and create memories that will last a lifetime (not just trending for 5 mins),” they wrote.

“Love it, absolute love the message in the story line. Happy Xmas to u all,” wrote another.

Hough added: “We’re in uncharted territory with some new technologies and we have to learn how to balance this I guess.

“Like anything it’s all about moderation, whether it’s exercise or alcohol.”