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Best Irish movies of all time

Be sure to add these to your Netflix queue!

By
Meghan Sweeney,
IrishCentral.com Staff Writer

Published Friday, March 5, 2010, 4:49 PM
Updated Friday, March 5, 2010, 4:49 PM

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A scene from "The Commitments"
A scene from "The Commitments"

Check out the photo gallery of the best Irish movies of all time

10. "Waking Ned Devine"

Charming comedy set in a tiny, rural Irish town. When lottery winner Ned Devine is found dead - lottery ticket in hand and all - the townsfolk ban together to fool the authorities into thinking Ned is alive so they can receive the cash and share it. Starring Ian Bannen and Fionnula Flanagan.

9. "Once"

A beautiful, romantic, original musical set in the streets of Dublin. Glen Hansard of The Frames plays a street musician who meets fellow musician and Czech immigrant (Marketa Irglova). Together they work through pain, the past and new love through captivating music. Hansard and Irglova won the Oscar for Best Original Song (2007).

8. "The Crying Game"

The controversial film that put Irish director/screenwriter Neil Jordan on the map. Set in rural Ireland and bustling London, IRA member Fergus (Stephen Rea) develops a friendship with his captive, Jody (Forest Whittaker), and the kidnapping goes horribly wrong. Fergus then flees to London, where he seeks out Jody's girlfriend, Dil. An intense and thorny plot ensues.

7. "The Snapper"

Endearing Roddy Doyle novel-turned-screenplay. An unwed 20-year-old named Sharon Curly shakes up a working class Irish community when she becomes pregnant and refuses to name the father. Though full of quick wit and sarcastic banter, the dramedy has its touching, "family values" moments. Starring Colm Meaney and Tina Kellegher.

6. "Intermission"

A dark comedy with an Irish star-studded cast. "Intermission" follows the lives of a handful of dysfunctional characters whose choices all unwittingly affect each other's lives. Set in Dublin, the film takes on the grand themes of life, love and the law. Starring Cillian Murphy and Colin Farrell.

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Posted by MalcomAC on Mar 20, 2011, 12:52 AM EDT
"The Boxer" with Daniel Day Lewis and Emily Watson, even though they're a wee bit old for the parts.
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Posted by eithnep on Mar 17, 2011, 10:39 PM EDT
what about "shake hands with the devil starring james cagney ,a story about the IRA and filmed entirely in ireland ,a wonderful movie,and "Raggedy Boy" a movie about the abuse of young boys by priests , hard to watch but an important film and on a lighter note a romantic comedy "Leap Year" enjoyable
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Posted by bobkelly on Mar 17, 2011, 04:26 PM EDT
I also like War of the Buttons, and Hunger
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Posted by lirosa2 on Mar 17, 2011, 10:57 AM EDT
Dancing At Lughnasa, This Is My Father, both terrific!!
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Posted by wrywott on Mar 16, 2011, 01:45 PM EDT
Would like to see "War of the Buttons" on the list. Was a very enjoyable movie. Just finished watching " The Field" with Richard Harris. Excellent !!!!!
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Posted by PatsyAnn on Mar 16, 2011, 04:27 AM EDT
The "Quiet Man" is a classic of course, I believe the fight scene is the longest on film. The last scene in "Waking Ned Devine", could never be duplicated!! I've read all Maeve Binchey's books, so I liked "Circle of Friends" with Minnie Driver and Chris O'Donnell. "Da" was a good movie, although sad. I rented it for my "Da" about a year before he died. Can't forget "Finian's Rainbow", which didn't seem real, but was entertaining. "How are things in Gloccamorra"??
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Posted by springs1 on Mar 15, 2011, 06:53 PM EDT
What about "A Man of No Importance"....any movie with Albert Finney starring in it is worth a box of popcorn...
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Posted by forflann on Mar 14, 2011, 06:00 PM EDT
dimdimob The Quiet Man, John Ford's masterpiece, the only Republic film ever made in technicolour or out side the US. Ford, an Irish-American bought the movie rights in 1933, for $300. The Informer made I believe in the '30s also a master-piece. Fine choices both!
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Posted by texasmonica on Mar 14, 2011, 01:43 AM EDT
Gracias for the info on the Best Irish movies, I have seen atleast 2 and I will look to see if I can find the others and watch 'em. Any other recommendations?
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Posted by dimdimob on Mar 13, 2011, 11:11 PM EDT
The Quiet Man, no doubt. Also how many people have ever seen The Informer? A good choice.
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Posted by theresadaly1 on Mar 13, 2011, 08:02 PM EDT
The Wind That Shakes the Barley should be here. Who made this list?
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Posted by Lagavulin on Mar 13, 2011, 12:49 PM EDT
I'd also suggest "The Boys & Girl From County Clare. Love Irish movies.
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Posted by donnacregg on Feb 17, 2011, 07:30 PM EST
These are all such great movies. I heard about a movie coming out called White Irish Drinkers about an Irish family in the 70s. I love the trailer, it looks really intense. http://www.whiteirishdrinkersthemovie.com/
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Posted by IrishLass127 on Sep 11, 2010, 06:14 PM EDT
I own four of these so I totally agree. :-)
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Posted by ladyjane on Sep 09, 2010, 07:07 PM EDT
I thought "Intermission" was so full of foul language and casual sex that I couldn't finish watching it. The resto the list I've seen and enjoyed although the violence in some was kind of hard to take.
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Posted by tbernardq on Sep 09, 2010, 01:05 AM EDT
The Quiet Man--no question. But may I make a bid for "The Informer?"
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Posted by patsybrichta on Sep 08, 2010, 11:42 PM EDT
I notice that "Agnes Brown", "Veronica Guerin" and "Eat The Peach" didn't make the top ten - how about a Top Twenty?
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Posted by willieboy on Sep 08, 2010, 07:29 PM EDT
What a load of crap. This list sucks. The Commitments ? Get real...
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Posted by ciarrai on Sep 08, 2010, 06:42 PM EDT
Tanks for reminding me...Julia Roberts was tres horrible in Michael Collins. How has she lasted this long?
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Posted by ciarrai on Sep 08, 2010, 06:39 PM EDT
The Commitments better than the Quiet Man? You're not feeling well, I take it.
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Posted by Searlit on Sep 08, 2010, 04:29 PM EDT
"Into the West" was very good. I also liked "The Secret of Roan Inis". I haven't seen the "Odd Man Out", I'll look for that.
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Posted by GuinnessGrrl on Sep 08, 2010, 03:56 PM EDT
"Some Mother's Son" & "Hunger" aren't on the list?
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Posted by cmthornton on Sep 08, 2010, 01:47 PM EDT
Some great movies on this list. "The Quiet Man" was my Fathers favorite movie, he couldn't wait to name his first son Sean. Commitments the best Irish movie, Really? It's cute, but "Once" won an Academy award. What about "Breakfast on Pluto", "The Wind that Shakes the Barley", "The Magdalyn Sisters", "Ryan's Daughter"... ;)
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Posted by pounder on Sep 08, 2010, 01:45 PM EDT
Where is The Boxer on this list?
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Posted by Searlit on Sep 08, 2010, 12:29 PM EDT
The only movie I haven't seen in the top ten is "The Crying Game" I think six were great! I didn't like "The Snapper" or "Quiet Man" although let me say John Wayne and Maureen O' Hara are terrific! Could one of the directors please make a movie where Irish women are treated better than in those two? "The Field" was so heavy, it wasn't enjoyable, although Richard Harris was so great! I'm still looking forward to seeing "Ondine".
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Posted by ORourkes on Sep 08, 2010, 11:40 AM EDT
ALL WONDERFUL MOVIES....2 I HAVEN'T SEEN BUT PLAN ON SEEING ASAP...ANYTHING ABOUT THIS BEAUTIFUL/AND IT'S BEAUTIFUL PEOPLE OR FILMED THERE HAS TO BE WONDERFUL...
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Posted by boydshield on Sep 08, 2010, 10:59 AM EDT
It is hard to believe "The Quiet Man, " was rated ony 2. I have heard time and time again (from the Irish, don't you know) that this film did/does more for Irish tourism than any film EVER did. Would appreciate you making a list of 50 Irish movies you can buy or rent in the US. Include "Michael Collins," as well as "The Winds that Shakes the Barley," and "Hennessy" (this film, though not a great one, put a story to the troubles for me).
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Posted by jimmymac1948 on Sep 08, 2010, 10:29 AM EDT
The best Irish movie, bar none, is Odd Man Out.
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Posted by celticsol on Sep 08, 2010, 10:14 AM EDT
I wonder why "The Informer" wasn't Included....Maybe you should have done a top 25 list instead in order to keep everyone from whining !
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Posted by michaelcollins on Sep 08, 2010, 10:10 AM EDT
michael collins.......was the only movie i ever went to see were when it was over everyone in the cinema threw there popcorn in the air and shouted and whistled....i even seen a few blokes crying.....and in the name of the father was another classic.....and then the snapper for the craic


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