Time to wear some green, pour a pint, and hunker down for some of the best movies about or inspired by Ireland.
Seattle’s annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade brought a sea of green and joyful noise to the Emerald City on Saturday. It also included a new view, marching down Seattle’s revitalized waterfront, instead of the usual route through downtown Seattle. Bagpipes, drummers, dance teams and community groups from across Puget Sound participated in the colorful parade. The Irish Heritage Club is celebrating 40 years of Seattle being a sister city with Galway, Ireland. There was a mixed pot of weather for the parade, but we can all agree that “May the wind always be at your back.” (Image: Elizabeth Crook / Seattle Refined) March 14, 2026
There are some great dramas, like the Cillian Murphy starring “Wind That Shakes the Barley,” or “In America,” about Irish immigrants to the United States.
There’s also funny, family-friendly options like the Disney classic “Darby O’Gill and the “Little People” and “The Secret of Kells,” an Oscar-nominated animated film based on Irish folklore.
Check out the full list below!
The Commitments
Andrew Strong singing his heart out in “The Commitments.” (Courtesy 20th Century Fox)
This 1991 dramedy is an ode to the Emerald Isle’s love of music. Jimmy (Robert Arkins) decides to put together a rag tag soul band made up of members of his working-class Dublin neighborhood, celebrating their voices and those of the Black artists that inspired them. It’s a charming movie full of great music and a great way to kick off the holiday.
In America
Paddy Considine and Sarah and Emma Bolger in “In America.” (Courtesy: Fox Searchlight)
Millions of people have immigrated from Ireland to the U.S. over the years, and this 2002 drama follows a more recent tale, loosely based on director Jim Sheridan’s own experiences. The story is told through the eyes of the oldest daughter of the Sullivan family as they struggle to build a new life in America and overcome the loss of their youngest child.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
Cillian Murphy and Padraic Delaney in “The Wind That Shakes the Barley.” (Courtesy: Element Pictures)
Cillian Murphy stars in this intense look at the Irish Civil War, widely regarded as one of the best Irish films of all time. The story follows two brothers who end up on either side of the political divide and the devastating consequences in the fight for freedom.
Waking Ned Divine
The whole village comes together to celebrate Ned (and his fortune) in “Waking Ned Divine.” (Courtesy: Fox Searchlight)
Ned Divine wins the Irish National Lottery and promptly dies of shock – and yes, this is a comedy! The cheeky Irish sense of humor shines throughout the film as Ned’s small towns rallies to try to claim the money and share the winnings in his honor.
The Secret of Kells
The animated adventure “The Secret of Kells” earned a Best Animated Feature Oscar nomination. (Courtesy: Buena Vista International)
This animated tale takes inspiration from the actual, historical document, The Book of Kells, a 9th century illuminated manuscript, and it blends Irish mythology for the entertaining tale of Brendan, a young boy at a monastery helping to complete the book and protect it from invaders. “The Secret of Kells” was nominated in 2010 for Best Animated Feature, and the studio that created it made two additional Irish-mythology inspired movies, “Song of the Sea” and “Wolfwalkers.”
Darby O’Gill and the Little People
Kino. Das Geheimnis Der Verwunschenen Hoehle, Darby O’gill And The Little People, Das Geheimnis Der Verwunschenen Hoehle, Darby O’gill And The Little People, Albert Sharpe, Jimmy O’Dea Darby O’Gill (Albert Sharpe,l) ist in einen Brunnen gefallen. Dort gelangt er in das Land des “Kleinen Volkes”, das von Koenig Brian (Jimmy O’Dea) regiert wird., 1959. (Photo by FilmPublicityArchive/United Archives via Getty Images)
“Darby O’Gill and the Little People” is not only a fun yarn about old man Darby, his daughter Kate, and her handsome young suitor (played by a young Sean Connery!), it’s also an impressive technical achievement. The special effects create some major onscreen magic when Darby visits King Brian’s unground leprechaun kingdom or when he faces of the terrifying banshee.
The Quiet Man
From left to right, actors John Wayne (1907 – 1979) as Sean Thornton, Victor McLaglen (1886 – 1959) as Squire ‘Red’ Will Danaher and Maureen O’Hara (1920 – 2015) as Mary Kate Danaher in a publicity still for the film ‘The Quiet Man’, 1952. (Photo by Silver Screen Collection/Getty Images)
John Wayne stars as a retired boxer who returns to the small Irish town of his birth, where he falls in love with a woman (Maureen O’Hara) and angers her brother at the same time. The film was nominated for seven Oscars, one for director John Ford, and the other for Winton C. Hoch and Archie Stout’s cinematography, which captures Ireland’s lush green scenery in all its glory.
Once
Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová in “Once.” (Courtesy: Summit Entertainment)
“Once” tells the story of Guy (Glen Hansard, who also appeared in “The Commitments”) and Girl (Markéta Irglová) finding a connection through music despite a language barrier. The film boasts a breakout song for “Falling Slowly,” which earned Hansard and Irglová an Oscar for Best Original Song.
Belfast
Jamie Dornan, Ciaran Hinds, and Dame Judi Dench star in “Belfast.” (Courtesy: Focus Features)
Kenneth Branagh’s semi-autobiographical film “Belfast” shares a look at the beginning of The Troubles from the eyes a little boy named “Buddy” (very much an onscreen version of a young Branagh). The film earned seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture, and won for Best Original screenplay.
Leap Year
Amy Adams and Matthew Goode make a charming couple in “Leap Year.” (Courtesy: Universal Pictures)
This romantic comedy, starring Amy Adams and Matthew Goode, is actually tied to a different holiday, the titular Leap Year, and an alleged Irish tradition of women asking men to marry them on Leap Day, February 29. It’s silly, but the leads are charming and the scenery is gorgeous enough to make anyone want to buy a plane ticket.
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