Best Movies About Ireland

From Jim Sheridan, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Pete Postlethwaite, Alison Crosbie, Philip King
Rated R

In the Name of the Father is a 1993 film directed by Jim Sheridan, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Emma Thompson and Pete Postlethwaite. It tells the real-life story of Gerry Conlon, an Irishman wrongly convicted of an IRA bombing in 1974. Gerry, along with four of his friends, is charged with the bombing and sent to prison. Despite his protests of innocence and lack of evidence connecting him to the crime, Gerry is sentenced to life in prison. With help from a determined lawyer, Gareth Peirce, Gerry eventually proves his innocence and is released from prison. The film examines Gerry's fight for justice, his struggle against the odds and the sacrifices his family made to help him. The film was nominated for 7 Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Actor for Day-Lewis.

From Martin McDonagh, starring Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, Ciarán Hinds, Elizabeth Berrington
Rated R

In Bruges is a 2008 dark comedy film written and directed by Martin McDonagh. It stars Colin Farrell, Brendan Gleeson, and Ralph Fiennes. The film follows two Irish hitmen, Ray (Farrell) and Ken (Gleeson) as they are sent to the Belgian city of Bruges to hide out following a botched job in London. While there, they experience the surreal beauty of the city, but their situation soon takes a dark turn when Ken's violent past comes back to haunt them. As they are forced to confront the consequences of their actions, they must decide whether to face the consequences or run away. This film is a humorous yet heart-wrenching journey that explores themes of guilt, forgiveness, and redemption.

From Jim Sheridan, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Brenda Fricker, Alison Whelan, Kirsten Sheridan
Rated R

My Left Foot is a 1989 biographical drama film written and directed by Jim Sheridan and starring Daniel Day-Christie. The film tells the story of Christy Brown, an Irishman born with cerebral palsy, who, with the help of his family and a therapist, learns to use his left foot to write and paint. Despite his disability, he becomes a successful writer and artist. The film also stars Brenda Fricker, Fiona Shaw, Ray McAnally, and Cyril Cusack. The film earned a number of awards, including Best Actor for Day-Christie, Best Supporting Actress for Fricker, and Best Screenplay for Sheridan. It was also nominated for Best Picture at the 62nd Academy Awards.

From John Carney, starring Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Aidan Gillen, Maria Doyle Kennedy, Jack Reynor
Rated PG-13

Sing Street is a 2016 musical drama film set in 1980s Dublin, Ireland. It follows Conor (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo), a teenage boy who finds escape from his troubled home life and oppressive school environment by forming a band and shooting music videos with his friends. As his ambitions of becoming a successful musician grow, Conor also begins to fall in love with the mysterious and independent Raphina (Lucy Boynton). Through the power of music, Conor and his bandmates learn to express themselves, find their own identities, and ultimately, stay true to themselves in the face of adversity.

From John Carney, starring Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Hugh Walsh, Gerard Hendrick
Rated R

Once is a musical romance about two struggling musicians in Dublin, Ireland. Guy (Glen Hansard) is a busker and vacuum repairman, and Girl (Markéta Irglová) is an immigrant from Eastern Europe. When they meet, they form an unlikely bond over their shared passion for music. They start writing and performing together, and soon fall in love. However, life keeps getting in the way of their dreams, and they both have to decide what they truly want out of their lives. Once is a heartfelt tale of love and music that captures the beauty and fragility of relationships.

From Jim Sheridan, starring Paddy Considine, Samantha Morton, Djimon Hounsou, Sarah Bolger
Rated PG-13

In America is a 2002 semi-autobiographical drama film directed by Jim Sheridan. The film stars Samantha Morton, Paddy Considine, Djimon Hounsou, and Sarah Bolger as an Irish family struggling to adjust to their new life in the United States. The family moves to New York City, and while they are adjusting to their new home, they experience loss, love, friendship, and new opportunities. The story follows the family's struggles and joys as they build a new life in a strange land, helping each other to discover their individual dreams and find hope along the way. Through the process, the family learns to accept their past and embrace the future.

From Damien O'Donnell, starring James McAvoy, Steven Robertson, Romola Garai, Alan King
Rated R

Rory O'Shea Was Here is a 2004 Irish drama film directed by Damien O'Donnell and starring James McAvoy and Steven Robertson. The film centers on Rory O'Shea (McAvoy), a young man with muscular dystrophy who moves into a Dublin care home for the mentally and physically disabled. With the help of his best friend, Michael (Robertson), a fellow resident of the care home, Rory finds a new lease on life and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and self-determination. Throughout their journey, the two challenge societal conventions, confront their fears, and ultimately, prove that they are more than capable of living life on their own terms.

From Paul Greengrass, starring James Nesbitt, Tim Pigott-Smith, Nicholas Farrell, Allan Gildea
Rated R

Bloody Sunday is a 2002 British-Irish historical drama film about the 1972 Bloody Sunday incident in Derry, Northern Ireland. Directed by Paul Greengrass, it recreates the events of that day, when British soldiers shot and killed 26 unarmed civil rights protesters and wounded many more. The story follows the march of protesters, through the buildup to the shooting and its aftermath, as seen through the eyes of Protestant civil rights leader Ivan Cooper and Catholic father Daly, both of whom were present at the march. It also highlights the courage of those involved on both sides of the conflict, as well as the political difficulties that followed in the years after. The film is seen as an uncompromising examination of the events of Bloody Sunday, and its lasting impact on the people of Northern Ireland.

From Stephen Frears, starring Judi Dench, Steve Coogan, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Mare Winningham
Rated PG-13

Philomena is a 2013 British drama film directed by Stephen Frears, based on the 2009 book The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by journalist Martin Sixsmith. The film stars Judi Dench and Steve Coogan. The movie tells the true story of Philomena Lee, a woman who was forced to give up her son for adoption when she was a teenager in Ireland in the 1950s. She spent the next fifty years searching for him. With the help of Sixsmith, a former BBC correspondent turned investigative journalist, Philomena embarks on an emotional journey to find her son. Along the way, she discovers more about her past, and her son's, than she ever expected. The heart-warming story highlights the importance of family and reminds us of the power of love and forgiveness.

From Alan Parker, starring Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Ball, Maria Doyle Kennedy
Rated R

The Commitments is a 1991 Irish musical comedy-drama film about a group of unemployed Dublin youths who form a soul band. The band, named "The Commitments," is led by Jimmy Rabbitte and is composed of a talented but rag-tag collection of musicians from various backgrounds. The film centers on Jimmy's efforts to get the group to the top, while the band's members must overcome their personal issues in order to make it in the competitive music industry. Along the way, they learn to appreciate the power of soul music and the unique bond they share as a group. Despite their various hardships, the band eventually finds success, performing to sold-out crowds in the UK. The film is a celebration of the power of music and the strength of friendship.

From Directors: Tomm Moore, Nora Twomey, starring Evan McGuire, Brendan Gleeson, Mick Lally, Christen Mooney
Rated Not Rated

The Secret of Kells is a 2009 animated fantasy film directed by Tomm Moore and Nora Twomey. The film is set in 9th century Ireland and tells the story of Brendan, a young boy living in the abbey of Kells alongside Brother Aidan. When Viking raiders threaten the abbey, Brendan embarks on a quest to find a famous book of secrets that can help save the abbey. Along the way, he meets a mysterious forest spirit who helps him on his journey and together they must find a way to unlock the secret of the ancient book. As Brendan discovers more about the past, he must find the courage to confront the danger and save the abbey from destruction.

From Steve McQueen, starring Stuart Graham, Laine Megaw, Brian Milligan, Liam McMahon
Rated Not Rated

"Hunger" is a 2008 drama directed by Steve McQueen. The film depicts the 1981 Irish hunger strike, led by Bobby Sands. It tells the story of Sands, an Irish republican prisoner held in a Northern Irish prison during the Troubles, who undertakes a hunger strike in an attempt to gain political status for himself and the other prisoners. He faces off against the prison's governor, who is determined to break him and the other prisoners. As Sands's strike drags on, tensions rise within the prison, and Sands's health and morale deteriorate. Meanwhile, outside the prison walls, public opinion is split on the hunger strike and the increasingly cruel treatment of the prisoners by the authorities. The film shows how Sands's struggle is ultimately a personal one, as well as a political one.

From Ken Loach, starring Cillian Murphy, Pádraic Delaney, Liam Cunningham, Orla Fitzgerald
Rated Not Rated

The Wind that Shakes the Barley is a 2006 political drama directed by Ken Loach and starring Cillian Murphy. The film takes place during the Irish War of Independence (1919-1921) and tells the story of a young medical student, Damien O'Donovan (Murphy), who joins the Irish Republican Army to fight for independence from Great Britain. Through the course of the film, Damien must face difficult moral choices and the personal cost of his commitment to the struggle for freedom. The film follows both the political and personal journeys of Damien, his brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney), and the other IRA members as they fight for the freedom of their country and to protect their people. As the conflict escalates and more lives are lost, Damien is forced to grapple with difficult decisions and consider the lasting impact of his commitment to the cause. Ultimately, the film is a powerful exploration of nationalism, loyalty, and the consequences of war.

From John Michael McDonagh, starring Brendan Gleeson, Chris O'Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen
Rated R

From John Michael McDonagh, starring Brendan Gleeson, Don Cheadle, Mark Strong, Ronan Collins
Rated R

From Neil Jordan, starring Cillian Murphy, Morgan Jones, Eva Birthistle, Liam Neeson
Rated R

From Lance Daly, starring Kelly O'Neill, Shane Curry, Paul Roe, Roy Dempsey
Rated Not Rated

From John Boorman, starring Brendan Gleeson, Adrian Dunbar, Sean McGinley, Maria Doyle Kennedy
Rated R

From Stephen Frears, starring Colm Meaney, Tina Kellegher, Ruth McCabe, Eanna MacLiam
Rated R

From Neil Jordan, starring Stephen Rea, Jaye Davidson, Forest Whitaker, Miranda Richardson
Rated R

From Yann Demange, starring Jack O'Connell, Sam Reid, Sean Harris, Paul Popplewell
Rated R

From Neil Jordan, starring Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Julia Roberts, Ian Hart
Rated R

From Mike Newell, starring Gabriel Byrne, Ellen Barkin, Ciarán Fitzgerald, Rúaidhrí Conroy
Rated PG

From Jim Sheridan, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Emily Watson, Daragh Donnelly, Frank Coughlan
Rated R

From John Butler, starring Fionn O'Shea, Ardal O'Hanlon, Amy Huberman, Ruairi O'Connor
Rated TV-MA