The Best Films Set in Ireland

This period melodrama takes place in the wake of the 1916 Easter Rising when Irish rebels attempted to overthrow British rule. It centers around the affair between a married Irish schoolteacher (Sarah Miles) and a British soldier (Christopher Jones). Their romance unfolds against a fraught socio-political backdrop.

This sweeping drama culls from the Pulitzer Prize-winning memoir of the same name by Frank McCourt and depicts the author’s adolescent experiences. It opens in Brooklyn before following McCourt and his family back to their native Ireland, where they struggle to survive.

Oscar-nominated screenwriter Shane Connaughton co-wrote this period drama, which was filmed in his Irish birthplace of Redhills, County Cavan. It tells the story of an unwed mother (Robin Wright) whose romantic desires stir up her small village in the 1950s.

From the director of 2006’s “Casino Royale” comes this geopolitical action thriller, shot in both Northern Ireland and England. When his daughter is killed in a terrorist bombing, a vengeful ex-military operative (Jackie Chan) gets embroiled in a deadly IRA conspiracy.

This coming-of-age drama, based on the bestselling novel of the same name, takes place at the University of Dublin in 1957. Once childhood friends, three young women reconnect at college and each embarks on her own romantic adventure. The conflict between carnal desire and religious orthodoxy is a recurring theme.

The third and final collaboration between Daniel Day-Lewis and Irish director Jim Sheridan tells the story of boxer Danny Flynn (Day-Lewis). After serving a 14-year prison stint for his involvement with the Provisional IRA, Flynn re-enters society and attempts to put his life back together. Primarily a character-driven drama, the film also delivers plenty of political contexts.

Two young boys set out to rescue their stolen horse in this magical realist adventure. It takes inspiration from the stories of Irish Travellers – aka “the walking people” – an ethno-cultural group that still lives in Ireland to this day.

This harrowing drama takes place during the real-life hunger strike led by IRA prisoner Bobby Sands in 1981. Outside the prison walls, two of the strikers’ mothers (Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanagan) fight to save their sons’ lives.

Irish director Neil Jordan was in the midst of an impressive career run when he helmed this pitch-black comedy. Against the backdrop of 1962 Ireland, an antisocial boy (Eamonn Owens) retreats from his bleak reality into a fantasy world of his own creation. When the line between these two worlds diminishes, it results in a shocking act of violence.

Liam Neeson plays historical figure Michael Collins in this Oscar-nominated biopic of the same name. In his fierce struggle for Ireland’s independence, Collins must negotiate with the enemy and betray former allies. Variety critic Todd McCarthy called it “intelligent, enormously accomplished, and seriously problematic.”

An ex-con (David Wilmot) teams up with a dim-witted mobster (Brendan Gleeson) for a dangerous job in this wisecracking crime comedy. It puts an Irish twist on the classic “odd couple” premise and doubles as an eventful road movie.

A famous short story by Irish author James Joyce laid the groundwork for this acclaimed drama. Throughout a single night in 1904, a Dublin-based married couple (Anjelica Huston and Donal McCann) experience subtle revelations. It was director John Huston’s final film, and was released months after his death.

Irish actor Brendan Gleeson delivers a top-notch performance as Father James in this mysterious crime dramedy. After his life is threatened by an unseen man, the good-natured priest finds himself grappling with dark forces from within his own community.

Director Neil Jordan captured the indie zeitgeist with this dramatic thriller, which features one of the most iconic reveals in movie history. The story centers on a Provisional IRA volunteer (Stephen Rea), who forges a complex romantic relationship while trying to escape from his violent past. It won the Academy Award for Best Screenplay.

Best known for his classic Old Hollywood Westerns, director John Ford tackled Irish history and politics with this heralded drama. Against the backdrop of the Irish Revolution of 1922, an IRA outcast (Victor McLaglen) turns on his former partners and suffers the consequences. It won four Academy Awards.

This historical biopic tells the true story of Terri Hooley (played by Richard Dormer), who opened a record store in Belfast amid The Troubles. Empowered by his radical politics and pure love of music, Hooley helps usher in a local punk movement. Writing for The Australian, critic Eddie Cockrell called it “a film that is determined to live up to its title.”

The feature directorial debut from Steve McQueen documents the real-life 1981 Maze Prison hunger strike from multiple perspectives. German-born, Irish-raised actor Michael Fassbender plays IRA prisoner Bobby Sands, who leads the strike to gain recognized political status for himself and others.

This historical action thriller, which takes place in Belfast during the early years of The Troubles, kicks off with a deadly street riot. Accidentally abandoned by his unit, a British soldier (Jack O’Connell) must survive the night as he navigates hostile terrain.

Walt Disney Studios produced this fantasy adventure, based on a series of Irish stories by writer Herminie Templeton Kavanagh. Follow wily codger Darby O’Gill (Albert Sharpe) as he chases leprechauns and attempts to ward off an evil banshee spirit.

Director Martin McDonagh’s latest dramedy reteams him with “In Bruges” stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Set on the fictional isle of Inisherin in 1923, it chronicles the fallout between two lifelong friends (Farrell and Gleeson). Just beneath the narrative veneer is a complex allegory about the Irish Civil War. It won nine Oscar nominations at this year’s Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor (for two different performers), and Best Supporting Actress – but didn’t take any statuettes home.

Kenneth Branagh’s autobiographical drama follows 9-year-old Buddy (Jude Hill) as he comes of age during the onset of The Troubles. The story unfolds through a series of childhood adventures against an encroaching backdrop of political unrest. It won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

Ken Loach’s sweeping drama channels Irish history through the story of two brothers in arms (Cillian Murphy and Pádraic Delaney). Joined together in Ireland’s fight for independence, the brothers are pitted against each other in the subsequent civil war. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival, it was also the highest-grossing independent Irish-made film of its time.

A group of working-class Dubliners form an unlikely soul covers band in this inspired musical dramedy. Of its two separate soundtrack albums, one achieved triple-platinum status while the other reached gold status. The film also won four BAFTA Awards out of six nominations.

Adapted from a “nonfiction novel,” this stunning drama alternates between past and present and highlights several important issues. At the heart of the story is Philomena Lee (Judi Dench), an Irishwoman who wants to find the missing son she was forced to abandon as a teenager. She enlists the help of a journalist (Steve Coogan) and their journey leads to some stark revelations.

This independent fantasy drama was inspired by folklore about the selkies, mythological beings who could transform from seals into humans. It takes place in the small fishing village of Roan Inish, where a young girl uncovers the secret behind her brother’s disappearance. Hollywood Reporter critic Michael Rechtshaffen called it “a first-rate, all-ages fairy tale.”

Before tackling the Jason Bourne franchise, director Paul Greengrass helmed this gripping reenactment of the infamous “Bloody Sunday” shootings in 1972. What begins as an Irish protest for independence turns into a deadly massacre when British soldiers start firing upon unarmed civilians. Some scenes were shot at the location of the actual event.

Director John Ford (of “The Informer”) returned to Ireland for this romantic dramedy, one among several collaborations with movie star John Wayne. The story takes place in 1920 and follows retired boxer Sean Thornton (Wayne) to the small Irish village of his birth. Upon courting a local woman (Maureen O’Hara) and purchasing a property, Thornton draws the ire of the town bully.

Director Stanley Kubrick took inspiration from historical paintings when crafting this lush period dramedy, based on an 1844 novel. It chronicles the exploits of Irish rogue Barry Lyndon (Ryan O’Neal), who marries into the life of an aristocrat. “This is a masterclass in cinematography,” wrote critic Wendy Ide for the Observer (UK).

The first of three collaborations between director Jim Sheridan and actor Daniel Day-Lewis tells the true story of Irish artist Christy Brown. Suffering from cerebral palsy, Brown creates paintings, prose, and poetry using only his left foot. Day-Lewis reportedly stayed in character during production and went on to win his first Academy Award for his performance.

For their second collaboration, directors Jim Sheridan and Daniel Day-Lewis set their sights on real-life historical figure Gerry Conlon. Falsely imprisoned for an IRA bombing he didn’t commit, Conlon spends 15 long years trying to clear his name. The film currently holds the #188 position on IMDb’s list of the Top 250 Movies.