Irish/St. Paddy’s Day
15 Irish/St. Patrick’s Day Flicks:
March is a time for us to celebrate the Irish side of our ancestry or that of our friends. We wear green, decorate with clovers and rainbows with pots of gold, with green food, Irish whiskey & beer, and of course, corned beef and cabbage. But, March 17th is so much more than what we think of it today.
St. Patrick’s Day was originally a day of remembrance and celebration of St. Patrick, a patron saint of Ireland in the 5th century. Patrick was a missionary to Ireland who used the Shamrock to explain the Holy Trinity. He later became a bishop to Ireland. The stories of his actions are stuff of legends and miracles. The truth is that he loved God and brought that love to the people of Ireland despite having been a slave there during his youth.
Emigrants to the United States changed the day into a celebration of Irish culture with revelry and a mostly secular perspective. Boston’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade was in 1737 and since 1962 Chicago has colored its river green to honor the day.
Here are some Irish themed movies to watch in the month of March in alphabetical order (not order of preference/recommendation):
1. As Luck Would Have It (2021) G; Streaming on Hallmark
This is a light hearted romance starring Allen Leech (known for: Tom Branson in Downton Abbey) and JoAnna Garcia Swisher (known for: Cheyenne in Reba).
2. Brooklyn (2015) PG-13; Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime
This is a drama of a young woman who moves to the U.S. from Ireland. She falls in love, experiences loss and must make choices.
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Domhnall Gleeson, and Jim Broadbent. Emily Bett has a supporting role (known for: Felicity Smoak in the DC Universe).
3. Chasing Leprechauns (2012) PG: Streaming on Up Faith & Family
This is a delightful romantic comedy which happens in a small Irish village inhabited by leprechauns. Definitely one I watch each year in March.
Stars: Adrian Pasdar (Heroes, Marvel AOS, & even Top Gun as Chipper) and Amy Huberman
4. Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) G: Streaming on Disney+
Another yearly favorite in March. This is a family friendly movie about the elderly caretaker of an Irish estate who catches a leprechaun to make wishes while playing matchmaker for his daughter.
5. Far and Away (1992) PG-13: Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime
Stars: Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman
Another favorite Irish flick. This movie is about two Irish young people who escape Ireland for different
reasons. They fall in love and face challenges in their attempt at achieving the American Dream.
6. Finian’s Rainbow (1968) G: Streaming on Disney+
Starring Fred Astaire as the quirky Irish immigrant who steals a pot of gold from the leprechauns to bury it where it is supposed to magically multiply here in the USA and change people’s lives.
7. Forever In My Heart (2019) G (not really directed at that young of an audience): Streaming on Hallmark
Stars: Merritt Patterson and Jack Turner
This is a light romantic comedy of previous lovers reunited after years apart.
8. Leap Year (2010) PG: Rent or Buy on Amazon Prime
This is a wonderful romantic comedy which is more about February 29th than St. Patrick’s Day. However, it is one of my favorite films which takes place in Ireland. How could I not include it on this list? I most definitely watch this every year. 2024 was no exception as it is a Leap Year after all.
Stars: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott, and John Lithgow
9. Michael Collins (1996) R: Streaming on Roku and available to Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime
Although this is not a flick I watch over and over, a list of Irish themed films without it wouldn’t be right. This is the biopic of the man who helped negotiate the Irish Free State and led the National Army during the Irish Civil War.
Stars: Liam Neeson, Aidan Quinn, Julia Roberts, Ian Hart, Alan Rickman, Brendan Gleeson…..
10. Pot O’ Gold (1941) Not rated [Black & White]: Streaming on multiple sites and available to Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime
This is a romantic comedy at which Jimmy Stewart is a master actor. One of my all time favorite actors, James plays a young man who is forced to close his music store and begin work for his uncle at a food factory. He befriends an Irish family and falls in love with the beautiful Paulette Goddard. Unfortunately this family are the bane of his uncle’s existence due to his hatred of music and the family’s constant playing of said music. It’s an adorable film. Worth a watch.
Stars: James Stewart and Paulette Goddard
11. The Boondock Saints (1999). R: Streaming on multiple sites including Amazon Prime
An action drama which pits two Irish brothers against Boston’s criminal elements as vigilantes.
Stars: Willem Dafoe and Sean Patrick Flanery
12. The Devil’s Own (1997) R: Available to Rent/Buy on Amazon Prime
This is a thriller about an IRA assassin who hides out in the home of an unsuspecting NY cop. A bond forms between Harrison’s and Pitt’s characters which leads Brad’s character to a choice – either continue to kill or seek peace.
Stars: Harrison Ford, Brad Pitt, Treat Williams, Margaret Colin, Julia Stiles…..
13. The Luck of the Irish (2001) G: Streaming on Disney+
This is a cute family film which pits a teen against an evil leprechaun.
Stars: Ryan Merriman and Henry Gibson
14. The Quiet Man (1952) Unrated: Streaming on Pluto, available to rent/buy on Amazon Prime
This is another favorite of mine. I love the colorized version even more! How can you go wrong with John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara? You can’t. It is a wonderful romantic comedy. I highly recommend! An Irish-American returns to his ancestral roots in Ireland and falls in love with the beautiful if stubborn Maureen.
Stars: John Wayne, Maureen O’Hara, and Barry Fitzgerald
15. Waking Ned Devine (1998) PG: Available to rent/buy on Amazon Prime
The first time I watched this movie, I laughed until my jaw hurt and my eyes watered. My favorite line, “…if not for the pigs…”. It still makes me laugh just writing that quote. Watch the movie and tell me if I’m wrong. I hope you enjoy this romantic comedy as much as I did.
Stars: James Nesbitt, Susan Lynch, Fionnula Flanagan, Ian Bannen, David Kelly…
