Entertainment


The best Irish movies of all time - SEE VIDEOS

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The hardest working band in the world - The Commitments
The hardest working band in the world - The Commitments

5. "In the Name of the Father"

Oscar-nominated film based on the real-life experiences of Gerry Conlon, the alleged leader of the Guildford Four. Daniel Day-Lewis stars as Conlon, a Belfast man wrongly imprisoned for the 1974 IRA bombing of a pub in the U.K. Nominated for seven Academy Awards including Best Picture, In the Name of the Father shows one man's 15-year struggle for his innocence and for truth.

 4. "The Field"

A story about an Irishman's love of his land from director Jim Sheridan. Bull McCabe (played by Richard Harris, who was nominated for an Oscar for the role) is a farmer in Ireland's rural west. When his field is threatened to be sold to an outsider, Bull will do anything in his power to stop it from happening. An unforgettable film about the conflict between "old" and "new" Ireland.

3. "My Left Foot"

A true story about an Irishman who overcomes his disability to become an amazing painter, poet and writer. Another film from Jim Sheridan, the film documents the extraordinary life of Christy Brown (Daniel Day-Lewis), a working class Irishman born with crippling cerebral palsy. With the encouragement of his mother, played by Brenda Fricker, Christy learns to write and draw with his only functional limb - his left foot. Both Day-Lewis and Fricker won Academy Awards for their roles.

2. "The Quiet Man"

A beloved classic starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara. A romantic drama from director John Ford, "The Quiet Man" tells the story of Sean Thornton, a retired American boxer who relocates to Ireland to reclaim his family's farm, and Mary Kate Danaher, the fiery Irishwoman he falls in love with. Though its portrayal of Ireland may be a bit outdated, the film is a genuine tribute to Eire, and both an American and Irish favorite.

1. "The Commitments"

Legendary Irish film about a group of down-and-out Dubliners who form a soul band. Jimmy Rabbitte has dreams of creating the ultimate soul group, and succeeds in bringing together a bunch of talented, eclectic characters. But eventually personalities clash, and the survival of the band is threatened. This adaptation of the Roddy Doyle novel featured a relatively unknown cast at the time, but was welcomed with critical acclaim and a successful box office run.


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31 Comments

15 - 31 | See all comments

How is it that "A Love Divided" didn't make this list?
I remember as a kid seeing a great Irish movie called Shake Hands with the Devil despite being warned off by the parish priest. A great cast, James Cagney, Robert Redgrave and a very young Richard Harris
Did anyone see An Everlasting Piece? That was hilarious!
A Man of No Inportance should at least make the top 20...any movie that Albert Finney is in is A-1
Disagree. "The Quiet Man," should be #1!
Disagree. "The Quiet Man" should be #1.
PS: My personal favourite is Into the West.
No Angelas Ashes or Wind that Shakes the Barley?
Other contenders: "Dancing at Lughnasa" and "The Hanging Gale."
The downside on Waking Ned Devine -- the movie was filmed on the Isle of Man
Quixotic: You won't get a "better understanding" of Irish history by watching "Michael Collins". The movie's treatment of the anti-Treaty side in the Irish Civil War is utter nonsense.
I would second Ryan's Daughter, if only for the haunting music and beautiful beaches. Or better still, My Left Foot, for Day-Lewis' performance. As regards the worst ever, that's easy. The piece of garbage known as The Commitments. An utterly talent-free zone.
Didn't see this listed in either best or worst. Maybe it has too many plots to carry through, but thoroughly enjoyed "The Boys and Girls of County Clare"
PS)Notable mentions should also include The Butcher Boy and Breakfast on Pluto. Bit too bog gothic for most family viewing but still very valid and very Irish.
I think Into the West is a really great Irish family movie which covers a lot of Irish social issues as well as Irish mythology. And someone mentioned Frankie Starlight which I had forgotten and now need to see again, I loved it.




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