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A look back at some of the best movies to come out of Ireland

The green on the screen

By
DARA McBRIDE,
IrishCentral.com

Published Friday, January 8, 2010, 3:56 PM
Updated Friday, January 8, 2010, 5:11 PM

 

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The Quiet Man: John Wayne in the film that launched more than a thousand visits to Mayo!
The Quiet Man: John Wayne in the film that launched more than a thousand visits to Mayo!

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What's your favorite Irish movie?

The Quiet Man


Michael Collins


Angela's Ashes


Ryan's Daughter


Ferocious Mel Columbkille Gerard Gibson, bedecked in a bit of tartan kilt and his face painted blue, led the charge across the Curragh Racecourse into ancient battle.

The blue ‘woad plant’ dye on Gibson’s face was his war paint and he was playing the role of the legendary 13th century Scottish hero William Wallace. Rubber arrows flew through the air and plastic swords clashed as extra warriors from the Irish Army Reserve on mechanical horses recreated the historical battles of Wallace with the English at Stirling and Falkirk.

No local seemed to mind the director’s use of poetic license when the Irish switched sides to fight with their Scottish cousins at Falkirk even though they were, in fact, historically, somewhere else. The movie was Braveheart and most of it was filmed on location in Ireland on the plains of Kildare, and in the scenic hills and valleys of Wicklow.

Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle on the island, and the nearby medieval Cistercian Bective Abbey in Co. Meath, also feature in many scenes. Braveheart won five Oscars and made it for heartthrob Mel and those knees that made grown women swoon in the aisles.

The highland desert of Wicklow has captured the imagination and been inspirational for many a film director. There are driving tours and a map that takes you round the sites of three major films that were made in Wicklow (Braveheart, Excalibur and Michael Collins).

The film sites are dotted around the county and you will experience some amazing vistas of barren stark landscapes and verdant valleys, which have been used as backdrops for many fine epics on the silver screen.

The Arthurian landscape of Sally Gap was the setting for the filming of Excalibur, and King Arthur himself tossed the famous sword into the dark and serene lake at Loch Tay.  Ireland’s largest waterfall at Powerscourt near Enniskerry also appears in John Boorman’s Excalibur.

For the recent futuristic movie Reign of Fire, a mock medieval fortress popped up overnight at the site of an old lead mine at Wicklow Gap. Fire breathing dragons roamed through the misty heather only to disappear with the castle overnight without a trace when filming was done.

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11 Comments

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Posted by S.Connolly on Jul 21, 2010, 11:25 AM EDT
Oops...it's An Gorta Mor...sorry about that.
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Posted by S.Connolly on Jul 21, 2010, 11:23 AM EDT
You left out "The Field" a great movie. We need a movie about the "Agor and More" The great starvation. Mary Pat Kelly's book...Galway Bay, would be great on the silver screen.
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Posted by morehouse on Jan 15, 2010, 02:49 PM EST
Great article. Quiet Man has it hands down!
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Posted by May Bradley on Jan 14, 2010, 01:50 PM EST
I believe the film "Waking Ned Devine" was filmed on the Isle of Man.
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Posted by kathkane on Jan 12, 2010, 12:49 AM EST
Great article....but you neglected to mention "Waking Ned Devine. "Wonderful group of Irish actors who gave excellent performances.It made me laugh and cry.The movie was a loveletter to Ireland,it's people and way of life.
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Posted by ciarrai on Jan 11, 2010, 10:36 PM EST
How could you forget "Once"? What a sweet, funny and quirky little film. It also won an Oscar for best song. I was constantly singing that one.
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Posted by derbinma on Jan 11, 2010, 08:40 PM EST
I didn't realize how much Ireland has contributed to the world of great films and the arts.Though I'm not surprised. For anyone who has been to Ireland, it is a magical place you will never forget. No other place in the world will you be welcomed with such warmth. The first time I visited Ireland I knew I had come home.
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Posted by luckysusan on Jan 11, 2010, 11:27 AM EST
This is a good read - but left out was John Sayles' magical "The Secret of Roan Inish" - not to be missed!
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Posted by Fionnuisce on Jan 11, 2010, 11:23 AM EST
OH YES, What happened to Roan Inish a wonderful film. Thanks for the reminder, I only OWN it!
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Posted by mandokeith on Jan 11, 2010, 09:14 AM EST
What about The Secret of Roan Inish?
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Posted by Fionnuisce on Jan 09, 2010, 02:11 PM EST
Well assembled piece - thanks. So many of those films were produced during a time when Ireland was the Canada of Hollywood (California). Even with flights and shifting all the gear and actors, it was a damn site cheaper than actually filming in Hollywood on a soundstage or on locations in the states, and let's face it no where can one find a place as fantastic rugged wild and beautiful as Ireland for recreating the battles in such films such as Braveheart. And of course no one can find a more generous and accomodating people as the Irish. IMHO!!
 


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