10 Irish Movies for St. Patrick's Day
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With St. Patrick’s Day approaching, Matthew and I can’t help but long for the lush green beauty of Ireland. We’ve both vacationed there more than once and have fallen in love with it: the people, the history, the landscape. But since we can’t be there right now, we’ll settle for the next best thing.
These ten movies will get you in the Irish spirit for St. Patrick’s Day. All of them either take place in Ireland or are about the Irish experience, giving you an inside look into the beauty, culture, and folklore of the Emerald Isle.
On this list, you should be able to choose a movie for even the pickiest movie-lover. We’ve included a couple of animated features that would be suitable for a younger audience if you want the kids to be able to join in. That said, they also provide plenty of entertainment for adults. Also on are list are several romances, perfect for date night, though they are not all comedies, as some lean more towards drama or mystery. A couple of the movies are just straightforward comedies, if you prefer something off-beat, and we’ve made sure to include one crime thriller for those who can’t resist a bit of action.
Song of the Sea (2014)
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Song of the Sea (2014) is an animated adventure about two young Irish siblings. Saoirse is the last of the selkies, creatures of Irish legend that can turn from humans into seals. She and her brother run away from their grandmother’s house on a mission to free fairies who have been trapped in our world. Perfect for a family movie night. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
Waking Ned Devine (1998)
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A laugh-out-loud comedy, Waking Ned Devine (1998), remains an Irish favorite over twenty years later. An elderly man in a small Irish town dies of shock when he finds out he won the lottery. Not wanting the money to go to waste, his fellow townsfolk scheme to claim the money for themselves. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
Once (2007)
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In Once (2007), a street-performer in Dublin meets a Czech immigrant with a fondness for music, who helps him record a demo in hopes of landing a recording contract in London. Along the way, the pair develops an unlikely friendship that threatens to evolve into more. This heart-felt film is one part music, one part romance, one part hard-hitting reality. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
The Secret of Kells (2010)
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The Secret of Kells (2009) is another animated film featuring Ireland’s rich folklore. Brendan, a young Irish boy living in a remote medieval monastery under siege, receives a daunting quest to bring light into the darkness: complete a magical book full of ancient secrets. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
Brooklyn (2015)
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In Brooklyn (2015), a young Irish woman (played by the incredible Saoirse Ronan) immigrates to Brooklyn in the 1950s and must adjust to a new life on her own, away from the people and place she loves. When she gets romantically involved with a local New Yorker, she feels split between two places and two identities, forced to choose between them. This film brings to light immigration as a unique aspect of the Irish experience. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
Leap Year (2010)
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Amy Adams and Matthew Goode star in this hilarious romantic comedy, Leap Year (2010), about a romantically frustrated woman who decides to follow an Irish tradition and propose to her boyfriend on Leap Day. Even if you don’t watch it every fourth year, this movie will get you laughing and eager to visit Ireland. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
Ondine (2009)
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Colin Farrell stars in this drama about an Irish fisherman off the coast of Cork, who finds a nearly-drowned woman in his fishing net. His ailing yet precocious daughter believes the woman to be a selkie, a creature with magical powers who can transform into a seal in water, yet the woman’s true identity remains a mystery. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
The Quiet Man (1952)
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The Quiet Man (1952) is a film classic starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara. After retiring from a career in boxing, an American man decides to return to his birthplace in Ireland. Here he comes head-to-head with a local man over a piece of property, only to find he is the brother of the high-spirited woman he wishes to marry. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
The Crying Game (1992)
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In this high-intensity crime thriller, The Crying Game (1992), a British soldier is kidnapped by IRA terrorists and held in Belfast. He becomes friends with one of his captors, and the lines between sides become blurred. Be prepared for some surprises. This film won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
Sing Street (2016)
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Perfect for anyone who loves a bit of coming-of-age nostalgia, Sing Street (2016) tells the story of a teenage boy growing up in 1980’s Dublin. In order to get away from his troubled family life, he starts a band, hoping to impress the girl he likes, despite having no musical experience. Rent or Buy on Amazon.
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)
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Part comedy, part drama, The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) tells the story of two men who are lifelong friends, and what happens when one of them tries to end their relationship, bringing forth unexpected consequences. Nominated for no less than nine Academy Awards, this movie has been commended for its incredible acting, especially by its lovable donkey.
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