This updated list is strictly movies that celebrate or teach about Ireland’s history and culture.

Belfast (2021)

An excellent movie based during the start of The Troubles that encapsulates the charm and the difficulties in Northern Ireland. It was unique to see what was happening (mostly) from a child’s perspective.

The Quiet Man (1952)

John Wayne plays Sean Thornton, a “nice, quiet, peace-loving man, come home to Ireland to forget his troubles” Such a great movie!

The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

An instant classic, that is both beautiful and disturbing. It’s about the sudden end of a lifelong friendship between two men (Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson) in Ireland. One tries to repair it and becomes obsessed with trying to learn why, but the other resists and ends up giving an ultimatum which leads to shocking consequences.

 

Waking Ned Devine (1998)

A genuinely funny movie about the residents of an Irish village trying to claim the Lottery winnings after the guy who won died from shock. Best line: “We do have heads and they are sore. But at the same time filled with the very best of Irish brains.”

The Wind That Shakes the Barley (2007)

This war drama takes place during the Irish War of Independence and the onset of the Irish Civil War. It follows a Cork man (Cillian Murphy) with plans to practice medicine in London, who changes his mind after witnessing the cruelness of British troops, and joins the local IRA. This movie shows the harsh realities of how the British Army treated the Irish in the 20s, but also calls attention to the clash between the Pro- and Anti-Treaty Irishmen.

 

Michael Collins (1996)

Biopic about Michael Collins (Liam Neeson), Irish revolutionary fighting for independence. Really good movie for the Irish history-buffs out there.

The Guard (2011)

I really enjoyed this movie about an Irish cop (Brendan Gleeson) and FBI Agent (Don Cheadle) investigating drug smuggling in Ireland that is both funny and action-packed.

The Field (1990)

Similar to its music, many Irish movies are also quite depressing. This Irish classic fits the bill. It’s a very emotional, powerful film about Bull McCabe (Richard Harris) whose family has rented and maintained a field for generations. The owner of the field eventually decides to sell it via public auction, rather than to Bull directly and he goes to great lengths to prevent anyone else from buying it.