Best movies set in Ireland to watch on St. Patrick's Day

Dinner and a movie

If hitting the pub isn’t quite your cup of tea, but you want to join in on the St. Patrick’s Day fun, how about an Irish-themed evening? 


We’ve pulled together 14 flicks ranging from the genuine authenticity of patriotic, all-Irish films to more Hollywood-style movies set on the Emerald Isle. So, after you’ve sat down to a hearty Irish-themed supper and poured yourself a drink, cue up one of these films, and instantly transport yourself across the pond.



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Novel adaptation

Brooklyn (2015)
Storyline: A young Irish woman emigrates to Brooklyn, USA, for new opportunities and romance.

Real Irish actors: Actors Saoirse Ronan, Domhnall Gleeson and Eileen O'Higgins (among many others) star.

Authenticity level: 90 percent (it is called Brooklyn, after all).
Based on a Irish author Colm Tóibín's 2009 novel, Brooklyn.

Angela’s Ashes (1999)
Storyline: A story of a family trying to escape extreme poverty in pre-war Limerick.

Real Irish actors: Actor Joe Breen, opposite Robert Carlyle (U.K.) and Emily Watson (U.K.).

Filmed in: Ireland.

Authenticity level: 100 percent Irish.
Based on an Irish novel, set in Ireland, with a young Irish lead.



Circle of Friends (1995)

Storyline: Drama focused on two girls as they experience life and love while attending University College in Dublin, during the 1950s.

Real Irish actors: Actor Geraldine O’Howe, stars opposite Chris O’Donnell (U.S.) and Minnie Driver (U.K.).

Filmed in: Ireland.

Authenticity level: 75 percent Irish.
Based on a novel by late Irish writer Maeve Binchy, it’s set in Ireland, with a mix of Irish and Hollywood actors.



War of the Buttons (1994)
Storyline: Rival groups of young boys stage daytime battles targeting buttons, shoelaces and underwear.
Real Irish actors: This may just be an all-Irish cast, winning them extra points for authenticity.
Filmed in: Ireland.
Authenticity level: 100 percent Irish.
An Irish interpretation of a French novel, with an Irish cast, set in Ireland.

Historical

The Wind that Shakes the Barley (2006)
Storyline: Story of two brothers torn apart by the anti-British rebellion in the early 1900s.
Real Irish actors: Actors Cillian Murphy, Padraic Delaney and Liam Cunningham.
Filmed in: Ireland.
Authenticity level: 100 percent Irish.
A film with Irish history, scenery, and handsome Irishmen.



Michael Collins (1996)

Storyline: Historical Irish leader Michael Collins, leading the IRA against Britain toward an Irish Free State in the 1920s.
Real Irish actors: Actors Liam Neeson and Stephen Rea, with Julia Roberts (U.S.) and Aidan Quinn (U.S.).
Filmed in: Ireland.
Authenticity level: 100 percent Irish.
Written by Irish writer and filmmaker Neil Jordan, this film is full of patriotism and Irish history, with a handsome and charismatic Irish lead.



My Left Foot (1989)

Storyline: Christy Brown, afflicted with cerebral palsy, learns to write with his left foot and only controllable limb.

Real Irish actors: Actors Brenda Fricker and Daniel Day-Lewis (he has Irish citizenship, that counts, right?)

Filmed in: Ireland.

Authenticity level: 100 percent Irish.
An Irish story, set in Ireland, with (mostly) Irish actors.

Romance

Leap Year (2010)
Storyline: A romantic comedy about an American woman who travels to Ireland to propose to her boyfriend on leap day, as part of old Irish tradition.
Real Irish actors: None hold any lead roles. Stars American actor Amy Adams, opposite Matthew Goode (U.K.).
Filmed in: Ireland.
Authenticity level: 25 percent Irish
A Hollywood romance with quirky Irish folklore and beautiful scenery.



P.S. I Love You (2007)

Storyline: A young widow discovers her late husband has left her letters to help her move on and start a new life for herself.

Real Irish actors: None hold any lead roles. Stars American actress Hilary Swank, opposite Gerard Butler (U.K.).

Filmed in: New York City and Ireland.

Authenticity level: 50 percent Irish.
An adaptation of an Irish novel, this is a back and forth, across the pond romance with beautiful scenery.



The Quiet Man (1952)

Storyline: Romance blooms when an Irish-American boxer returns to his Irish birthplace.

Real Irish actors: Hollywood legend Maureen O’Hara stars opposite John Wayne (U.S.).

Filmed in: Ireland and Los Angeles.

Authenticity level: 75 percent Irish
An Irish romance set in Ireland, with bona-fide Hollywood legends.

Drama

Philomena (2013)

Storyline: Forced to live in a convent and give up her infant son, Philomena embarks on a life-long search to find him. Based on a true story.
Real Irish actors: Lead roles held by Brits Judi Dench and Steve Coogan.

Filmed in: Ireland, England and U.S.

Authenticity level: 75 percent Irish.
An emotional film, based on the real-life story of Philomena Lee's 50-year search for her son.



Albert Nobbs (2011)

Storyline: In late 19th century Ireland, women’s independence isn’t supported. Posing as a man, Albert Nobbs struggles, working as a butler until meeting a handsome young painter, and looks to escape the lie she has woven around herself.

Real Irish actors: None hold any lead roles. Stars American actor Glenn Close, with Mia Wasikowska (AUS) and Aaron Taylor-Johnson (U.K.).

Filmed in: Ireland.

Authenticity level: 75 percent Irish.
An Irish story set in Ireland, with a mix of Hollywood and Irish actors.



The Crying Game (1992)

Storyline: A crime-drama-romance about a British soldier captured by IRA terrorists.

Real Irish actors: Actor Stephen Rea stars opposite Forest Whitaker (U.S.) and Miranda Richardson (U.K.).

Filmed in: England and Ireland.

Authenticity level: 75 percent Irish.
An Irish-British story by Irish writer and filmmaker Neil Jordan, filmed partly in Ireland, with a mix of Hollywood and Irish actors.

Musical theme

Once (2006)
Storyline: Two young musicians meet in Dublin, and together write and perform songs describing their romance.
Real Irish actors: Actor Glen Hansard, stars opposite Markéta Irglová (Czech Republic).
Filmed in: Ireland.
Authenticity level: 100 percent Irish.
An Irish story, set in Ireland, with an Irishman in the lead role.



The Commitments (1991)

Storyline: An Irish band called the Commitments brings soul music to Dublin.

Real Irish actors: Actors Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, and Angeline Ball.

Filmed in: Ireland.

Authenticity level: 100 percent Irish.
Based on an Irish novel, set and shot in Ireland, with Irish actors.

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