Last Friday when I first announced that I would be dedicating several posts to the “All Things Irish” theme many people made comments regarding The Quiet Man. This led me to think about all of the wonderful Irish-themed films I have viewed over the years. I thought I would share a few of my favorites so that you may perhaps have an Irish film viewing party on your own. All Things Irish Reel to Reel.
All Things Irish Reel to Reel
1.The Quiet Man~ A hands-down favorite. I think that this was John Wayne’s best movie and I adore Maureen O’Hara.
An Irish Actor
10. Far and Away tells the story of Irish immigrants seeking their fortune in 1890s America.
Update: You overwhelmingly said to add Leap Year to the list.
Wild Mountain Thyme on Netflix is also good.
Please let me know in the comments what your favorite is.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day to one and all!
Laura
You need to see ONCE- which is great- and the song won the Oscar in 2007.Top of the Mornin to you
Laura, this is a really cool post. I LOVE watching movies and I really value recommendations. I haven’t seen any of these (can you believe it???!!) and I can’t wait to check them off my list. Thank you for a fun Irish post! 🙂
August Rush is one of my all time favorite movies! I’ll have to check on the movie with the little people for my kids. My youngest one plays violin, so he might like it. Celtic music is neat!Thanks for the great post!-Kim
I was surprised at how many of these I had seen! I had never thought of them as a category!I can’t say I have a favorite but I do enjoy them all!
I am trying to have the library get a copy of The Quiet Man as I have never seen it and thought it would be fun for St. Patty’s! I enjoy movies– Have seen a few of the others. Enjoyed Mondays blog too!–the thatched roofs especially the one with the intricate design on it! Can’t wait to see what else Irish you blog about! :o) Karyl(Carol)
Well, I must really be out of things. I haven’t heard of any of these movies! I did enjoy PS I Love You which takes place partly in Ireland and I love those Irish accents!Lorrie
I love me some Sean Connery too! I’ll have to get some of the movies out at the library. I have seen most of them, but would love to see them again.Thanks for Sharing!
Thanks for sharing such a great list!
Laura, I love this post! I’m going to jot down the ones I haven’t seen. I’ve enjoyed every single one that you’ve mentioned that I’ve seen: <>My Left Foot<>, <>The Commitments<> {I’ve got the DVD and the soundtrack is phenomenal}, I’ll always think fondly of <>Circle of Friends<>, <>The Secret of Roan Inish<> I saw about oh, 15 years ago or so and was utterly enchanted. <> The Matchmaker<> was darling – love Garafalo.Have you seen <>Evelyn<> with Pierce Brosnan? And of course the film <>Angela’s Ashes<>, which I think did a beautiful job living up to the book.You’ve got me thinking movies now!
Thanks for the recommendations! I’ve added “The Quiet Man” and “Finian’s Rainbow” to my Netflix queue. I like the idea of watching Irish-type movies this month!
I haven’t seen any of these movies either. Thinking of Irish actors just one name popped in my mind: James Nesbitt, he played in ‘Cold feet’ BBC comedy series and I liked him a lot in his role of Adam. Only one Irish actor, oh no, that cannot be, so I googled and found Pierce Brosnan, I didn’t know he was Irish. I thought he was one of the most handsome James Bonds. Btw I thought Sean Connery is Scottish??? But of course English isn’t my native language so I’m not very good in accents. Fun post, thanks for inspiration!
Thanks for sharing your Irish movies, Laura.My Dad’s family came out from Ireland many years ago, so it is lovely to find out more about your beautiful Country.The only movie I have seen is The Commmittments and I used to love the music also. I agree Sean Connery is a handsome man, and he seems to get more distinguished with the years.I will have to see if I can find some of these movies.HugsCarolyn
I have seen a couple of these films 🙂 The commitments is one of them :-)I love the song “mustang Sally” it really gets me in the mood of having FUN! 🙂 I haven’t been able to get in on your blog for a couple of days 🙁 wonder why??Monica
Really enjoying your Irish posts, Laura – especially the thatched cottages, love them too much. This time of year, I always wish the movie Brigadoon was Irish instead of Scottish so it could be included on these kinds of lists! I’ll pretend it is and add it to my own list anyway 🙂
You have great taste! I just bought Darby O’Gill and the Little People for this years St. Patrick’s day celebration. The kiddos don’t do well watching The Quiet Man. I love when John Wayne is pulling Maureen O’Hara behind him. She is so beautiful and he is such a mans man. he he Hugs, Bobbi Jo
Okay there are more than a couple here that I have never seen… Gotta look them up! Thanks~Liz
Thank you for the hug, I so needed it!Oh so many favorites on your list! The Quite Man is my favorite John Wayne Movie! Darby O’Gill was watched in our home once a year when it came on The Wonderful World of Disney. The Secret of Rhon Innish was just about worn clean through on an old VCR tape my daughter watched it so much. Even though it is not an Irish film, I loved August Rush!Great list! Thanks for sharing.
We picked up a copy of Jimmy Stewart’s “Pot o’ Gold” somewhere inexpensive and it turned out to be quite a gem! It’s a fun addition to our St. Patrick’s Day celebrations. LOVE The Quiet Man.
I love the book “Circle of Friends”. I forgot about the movie-I think I’ll go get it at the library. I’ll have to check out the “Matchmaker” too!
Ok, so I did not know that it was Sean Connery in the Darby O’Gill movie…I loved that movie when I was kid! I have not seen any of the other ones, but I have to get the John Wayne one(I can’t believe my hubby hasn’t made me watch it yet,lol)
I have seen every one of these flicks! Great post. I can’t believe you named so many! Angela’s Ashes- they were Irish, right? Good movie.
Laura, What a list! I’ll have to check on a couple of them in honor of St. Paddy’s Day. I am anxiously awaiting for “The Tudors” to be back, as well. I used my postcard in my new blog. Come see.~ Sue
“The Snapper” is a great Irish movie, as is “Waking Ned Devine.” Also not to be missed is “In America” which is tale of a poor Irish family searching for a better life.
I am an Irish girl! Before I turned gray had deep dark, wavy red hair. Maiden name was Collicot, which was originally Caldecoat. Have photos of Irish ancestors first generation in the US citizens. They were a humble, homely bunch, but oh, the incredible photos. …and I love “The Quiet Man” !Blessings ~ Eileen @ Star’s Fault
What a fun post! I love those old movie posters. “Circle of Friends” is one of my all-time favorite novels. I’ve read it several times over the last 10 years or so. I’m watching the first season of “The Tudors” right now–I’m behind because I don’t get the cable channel it’s on, sadly. I think Rhys-Meyers (sp?) is brilliant as King Henry. I was sad to hear he went back to rehab recently. He’s so talented.
You really need to watch “Waking Up Ned Devine”. It is a hoot!Whereas “Angela’s Ashes” is realty of a previous time in Ireland when unemployment and poverty rampant.I loved my visit to Ireland in 1999and am anxious to visit again.Brenda in Canada
Liam Neison and Pierce Bronson….spelling is off but you know what I mean…Only if George Clooney was from Ireland…well he’s close enough 🙂
Liam Neison and Pierce Bronson….spelling is off but you know what I mean…Only if George Clooney was from Ireland…well he’s close enough 🙂
I love Sundays (more time to read) & I LOVE this post. I am a huge fan of the “Matchmaker”. I have watched that movie too many times to count which makes me incredibly lame. Weird enough, now my daughter Em attends the same high school as Janeane Garofalo! 2nd up is the “Quiet Man”. Don't we all want someone tall, strong & quiet?!My husband loves the Commitments & he had that movie poster hanging in his condo when I met him. Ever since my trip to Dublin 13 yrs. ago today actually, I have been hooked on Ireland. I even married a man although he is not Irish, he's Celtic (Scottish!). Thanks for the fun! P.S. -Yes, you must watch “Waking Ned Devine”
Mmmmm … you forgot two of my very favourites. Into The West, and Waking Ned Devine! Into the West is a great tale about two young brothers, and a magical horse, set against the plight of trying to settle Irish Travellers, and Ned Devine is just hysterically delightful. Especially love those two, and the beautifully filmed Secret of Roan Inish as well. A few other favorites are:
When the Sky Falls … with Joan Allen as Veronica Guerin
In America … an Irish family relocating in the US
Frankie Starlight … with Gabriel Byrne (based on Chet Raymos' book 'The Dork of Cork')
Some Mother's Son … Helen Mirren
The Field
Evelyn … with Pierce Brosnan
The Button Wars … all wonderful films!
I used to live in Ballydehob, Co. Cork
An adaptation of James Joyces “The Dead”, directed by John Heuston, starring his daughter Angelica Heuston and Ireland's finest actor Donal Mc Cann, is my favourite Irish film.
There is also the first film in the Irish language “Poitin”, by Bob Quinn.
The animated “Secret of Kells” released in the U.S. this year is really beautiful.
There is also a film set in Belfast made by Carol Reed who made “The Third Man”, but I forget the title!
Another film set in Belfast is “Hunger” by Steve McQueen (not the actor!)
“Barry Lyndon”, by Stanley Kubrick.
“Rocky Road to Dublin”, by Peter Lennon.
There are some quality Irish films out there but unfortunately they are sometimes not given the distribution they deserve.
Thanks
John
I enjoyed your very informative post and what a cut play on words in your post title, clever. I see several movies here I wanted to see ant forgot about. I'm adding them to my “to watch” movie list. Happy Spring Laura.
~Emily
the French Hutch
Yes, my fav is The Quiet Man and coming in second is The Secret of Roan Inish. I was disappointed to see that of all the many many channels we get, no one was playing either one yesterday. 🙁 Kit
Ha ha…NeNe ranks Mr. Rhys Meyers as her #1!!!
🙂
The R. PEAculiar
What a great list! I am going to have to check them out!
I do have a question — I'm new here and I'm in love with the adorable green cottage in your header. Is that your house? Do you have a post about it so I can see more pictures? It's SO CUTE!
Best
~Angela~