6 Irish films to watch this St. Patrick’s Day
Looking for a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day that doesn’t involve drinking green beer and wearing a sequined hat? Why not snuggle into the comfiest couch you own and watch some of these wonderful Irish films?
1. Once
This 2007 film is a pure delight to behold. Simultaneously an inspiring musical and tender love story, Once features mesmirising performances from Markéta Irglová and Glen Hansard, and unforgettable music. The film won an Academy Award for its signature tune, “Falling Slowly”, and was reimagined as an award-winning Broadway musical in 2012.
2. In the Name of the Father
A co-production between Irish, British, and American creative forces, this 1993 courtroom drama is based in the true story of four people falsely convicted of the 1974 Guildford pub bombings. In the Name of the Father is captivating, with standout performances from lead Daniel Day-Lewis, and from Emma Thompson.
3. Sing Street
Hailed by some as the best original musical of 2016 (over the beloved La La Land), Sing Street follows the exploits of a boy growing up in 1980s Dublin. As a way to escape his troubled family life, and in an effort to impress the girl he likes, Robert Lawlor starts a band. The rest is pure, musical joy.
4. The Crying Game
This thriller explores nationality, sexuality, gender, and race, with the perfect backdrop of the Northern Ireland conflict setting the scene. Considered one of the greatest British films of all time, The Crying Game explores a member of the IRA, who has a brief but impactful encounter with a soldier. To say more risks ruining the film, and that would be a shame.
5. Brooklyn
This endearing romance from 2015 solidified Saoirse Ronan as a bona-fide star, reminding the world why she earned her first Oscar nomination at the age of 13 (in Joe Wright’s Atonement). Ronan’s Eilis immigrates to Brooklyn from her small Irish town, hoping to find employment. After arriving in Brooklyn, Eilis finds work, studies bookkeeping, and meets a charming young suitor, but misses her beloved sister. A true love letter to both Ireland and Brooklyn, this film is a delight you shouldn’t pass by.
6. The Secret of Kells
If you’re looking for a way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with your grandchildren, this charming animated film might just be the perfect way to do it. With a cast of characters that includes a brave monk and a fairy, and a captivating setting of a fort-like monastery and a gorgeous forest, The Secret of Kells is sure to join the ranks of your family’s favourite animated classics.
Which of these Irish gems is your favourite?