Going to Ireland in May -- recommend good movies about Ireland or filmed there?

Question

In May 2008, we will be going to Ireland for a week. Leading up to our trip, we'd like to watch movies about the country or were filmed there. Please only recommend enjoyable movies, and either documentaries OR fictional movies would be fine. Also, movies with subtitles don't bother us. Thank you!

Answer 1

Three movies come to my mind that were filmed in Ireland.

1) Ryan's Daughter, filmed on the Dingle Peninsular in western Ireland is a great classic and has some beautiful scenery. HOWEVER ... like all movies, David Lean did cheat. The famous beach scene, with that drop-dead-gorgeous beach shot from the top of the cliff was actually filmed in South Africa, because Lean couldn't find a beach vast and beautiful enough that coincided with his vision.

2) The Quiet Man, filmed in Conemarra, shows some lovely scenery. But like all films of the 1950's, large chunks of it were filmed in Hollywood (the interiors of the cottages etc.) Most of the extreiors were real locations, though.

3) Far And Away is the one film that really makes great use of its Irish locations. The first half of the movie was filmed in the west of Ireland, and there are some wonderful helicopter shots, particualrly at the start.

Angela's Ashes was a bit depressing, but it showed what life was like for the poor of Ireland in the 1930's. But a lot of it was filmed on a large set, because the producers couldn't find a slum area to use - they've all been torn down! However, the set was built in a studio in Ireland. Some old buildings around Limerick were used, and exteriors of countryside and town were the real-deal.

Just spend a lot of time driving around the west of Ireland and you'll be surprised and awstruck by what you see everywhere, without needing any more research materials than a good guidebook and a detailed map.

Answer 2

I think you can do a good amount in 2 weeks. Question - how are you traveling? By bus with a driver? Cars? I've been twice; the second time we rented a condo in what we thought was a central location so we could eat, sleep and do what we wanted when we wanted, but sometimes it was a pain to drive back and forth. Ireland isn't big, but the roads aren't either. A group of women traveling shouldn't be a problem. You'll be there, I think, at the start of tourist season, so prices will be a bit higher than off season, but still, you can find good food and great company, especially if you go off the beaten path. I saw some mentions of places to see - check out the Cliffs of Moher. I spent St. Patrick's Day in nearby Doolin one year and had a great time, surrounded by Irish, as it wasn't a hoppin' tourist place at the time. Good cider, too. Pack light, but be prepared for anything. First time I went we even saw some snow flurries and the wind howled so strong it shook the pipes in a small B&B we were in (March). Have fun. I'm envious. Makes me want to head back that way!

Answer 3

Watching some of the films that have been suggested will give you a very stereotypical view of "quaint" Ireland. The Wind that Shakes the Barley gives a very good historical viewpoint. It would really depend what you are into. There is a series on TV called Coast, and it has a few programmes on the natural history of the north, as well as a quick tourguide. Films don't really reflect the REAL country. Where are you going? You might be better researching on the web, or picking up a few books from the library which deal with your interests - there is a website www.2beirish.com and there are a lot of Irish people on it who might be able to give you a few pointers

Answer 4

The above suggestions are excellent. Try "The Quiet Man" filmed in and around Cong north of Galway. The sites where the movie was filmed are clearly marked and can be visited. Also "The Committments" about a blues group getting started in Dublin--underated and very good. "Ryan's Daughter" filmed in and around Dingle in beautiful southwest Ireland. And, although a bit depressing, "Angela's Ashes" filmed in and around Limerick. Have a great trip!

Answer 5

well if you watched intermission or the general you wont want to go to ireland!!!......but a good movie is waking ned devine, not violent and has great scenery of ireland, also try the match maker, stars that garofolo woman, very funny and again good scenery.

the wind that shakes the barley ive heard is good but if you are in north america thats not even in theaters yet, its on dvd in europe already and i have a copy its very brutal but again show ireland in a good light.

Answer 6

my favourite Irish film is 'intermission' with colin farrell...its really funny and interesting with some pretty realistic characters.
'wind that shakes the barley' was a huge film last year.
there's a film with julianne moore and pierce brosnan-I can't remember the name of it now but about half of it was filmed in Ireland and there's some beautiful scenery in it.
also parts of 'saving private ryan' was filmed on curracloe beach in wexford so its worth checking out to get an idea of what our beaches are like...oh and 'my left foot' with daniel day lewis is one of the best Irish films, definitely worth watching
have a good trip :D

Answer 7

i love 'The Wind that Shakes the Barley', but get your tissues out as this movie is heartbreaking.

HOWEVER

'The Matchmaker' with Jeanine Garafalo is funny, cute, with a happier ending. It also does a lot of filming in Claire and the Aran islands.

Answer 8

Yeh!! Song for a Raggy Boy, Veronica Guiren!!!!

Answer 9

maybe "circle of friends"... i think that might have been filmed there. the book is based in ireland.

Answer 10

Depends on the type of movie you want to see. Most movies made about Ireland are set in the past and very often about rural life as opposed to Dublin living. Here is a list of movies old and recent that were set in Ireland and were quite good.

THE FIELD
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Field-REGION-1-NTSC/dp/B00005V1WP/sr=8-2/qid=1168284972/ref=pd_ka_2/026-1408449-0606049?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

MICHAEL COLLINS
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Michael-Collins-Ian-Hart/dp/B00004CX8H/sr=8-9/qid=1168284972/ref=pd_ka_9/026-1408449-0606049?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

THE GENERAL
http://www.amazon.co.uk/General-Brendan-Gleeson/dp/B000EZ3DVY/sr=1-7/qid=1168285148/ref=sr_1_7/026-1408449-0606049?
ie=UTF8&s=dvd

THIS IS MY FATHER
http://www.amazon.co.uk/This-My-Father-James-Caan/dp/B0000649JJ/sr=1-1/qid=1168285217/ref=sr_1_1/026-1408449-0606049?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

Darby O'Gill (daft but amusing) http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=100522604/search=darby%20o%255C%2527gill%20little%20people

Waking Ned Devine
http://about.pricegrabber.com/search_getprod.php/masterid=108544401/search=waking%20ned%20devine

My Left Foot
http://www.amazon.co.uk/My-Left-Foot-REGION-NTSC/dp/B00008L3RY/sr=1-1/qid=1168285631/ref=pd_bowtega_1/026-1408449-0606049?ie=UTF8&s=dvd

THE COMMITMENTS
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Commitments-Andrew-Strong/dp/B00004TBT0/sr=1-1/qid=1168285764/ref=sr_1_1/026-1408449-0606049?ie=UTF8&s=dvd



There are many others. Theres a few for starters!!