movies to watch ireland trip coming up

We all love the movie, The Secret of Roan Inish. We even have the soundtrack. It's a lovely folk story done so well, as though it were a true story, that your kids will probably expect to meet a Selkie while there! - Julie

There's always the old classic "The Quiet Man" starring John Wayne and Maureen O'Hara.

Good ones for history are these:

The Boxer, Veronica Guerin, In the Name of the Father, Omagh, or Bloody Sunday which is a great dramatization of the events of that day in Derry in 1972 from the point of view of the victims' families. Makes visiting so much more real. Also, if you can find it in the theater, see The Wind That Shakes the Barley.

Other good Irish films that are just fun include The Boys & Girl From County Clare, The Commitments and Summer Fling.

If you're going to Londonderry (or Derry) Bloody Sunday is a must. When we took a taxi tour of "the troubles," the driver talked about that day and knew some of the characters in the movie.

Christine - as suggested below In the Name of the Father is a good movie both because of the information given and also because part of the movie was filmed at Kilmainham Jail in Dublin. Kilmainham was one of our top sites anyway but it made it even more interesting for my 15 & 17 year old as we had just seen the interior while watching the movie.

Christine, Two movies I would like to add are "Into the West" and "Waking Ned Devine". Your twelve year old may especially like "Into the West". Ned Devine is a make you feel good type movie where some Irish movies can be a little heavy.

Yes! I second Waking Ned Divine - the quintessential charming Irish movie. Fun for the whole family!

Waking Ned Devine is adorable. But not even filmed in Ireland. Though it was filmed in the nearby Isle of Man.

The 15 year old may like "Circle of Friends", it's one of my favorites! Also, the begining of "Far and Away" was filmed in Ireland (in Dingle). Also "The Matchmaker" is a lighthearted, fun movie.

I agree about "The Matchmaker", etc.

One caveat for parents: the Irish love language and love words, and they especially love the short ones. Four letters. It may be embarassing for the kids to have their parents listen to that.

I loved "The Matchmaker", and also "This is My Father", which stars Aidan Quinn. Also "Dancing at Lughnasa"

Thank you all. Loved the Quiet Man. Isnt Mary Kate beautiful--sans Botox!?
Waking Ned Devine has us still smiling. My kids thought it was hilarious--especially the bit about the phone booth!
Boys and Girl from County Clare was a hit. How can you say the four letter word 12 different ways. What can you do--my kids pretended they didnt hear -- for my benefit. My children are fans of the Corrs--I got a lesson about the Corrs after the movie, which was also filmed in Isle of Man.
i think the children are quite anxious to see if the Irish drink as much Guiness as portrayed.

We wont get to see many more before our trip. But will watch them after we get back.

I am surprised that no one mentioned "Michael Collins". I just watched it last week in preparation for our trip to Ireland. Its a good movie that does a pretty good job at representing the history of that time period.

Here is another vote for "Into The West" and "The Secret of Roan Inish". Two other good ones are "Hear My Song" and "The Snapper". Also you might want to get ahold of some of the "Ballykissangel" series from your library.

While the book was much better, Angela's Ashes was good.