5 movies for St. Patrick’s Day

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By Kelly Bauer

Nothing will make you want to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day more than watching a movie that showcases Ireland’s beauty. Here are the best movies to check out.


5. “The Departed” and “The Boondock Saints”

If you’re watching these movies for St. Patrick’s Day, you are celebrating the wrong way.

That’s not to say “The Departed” and “The Boondock Saints” aren’t great movies. “The Departed” tells the tale of corrupt and heroic Irish Americans in Boston, and “The Boondock Saints” follows Irish American brothers who turn into vigilantes to protect Boston.

It’s OK to watch them for St. Patrick’s Day — after all, the movies do feature Irish Americans trying to do right while living in Boston. I guess that seems pretty Irish.

But, really, we all know you’re just watching these for the action.


4. “The Luck of the Irish”

This 2001 Disney Channel movie probably gave you your first taste of Irish mythology: There’s leprechauns (and the classic tale of wits they always come with), a far darrig and magical gold.

“The Luck of the Irish” may not provide the most accurate representation of the Irish or Irish Americans — at times, it’s eyeroll-worthy — but it does help kids connect with the rich culture of Ireland and teaches them to be proud of their heritage. (And if you want to learn about real Celtic mythology, pick up “Celtic Myths and Legends” by T. W. Rolleston from a bookstore.)


3. “Darby O’Gill and the Little People”

This 1959 classic was to your parents what “The Luck of the Irish” was to you, except it’s much, much better.

Darby O’Gill squares off against Brian Connors, king of the leprechauns. They outsmart each other and become friends along the way.

Besides leprechauns, viewers learn about banshees — the female spirits who herald death — and see a cóiste bodhar, the coach that takes people to the afterlife.


2. “The Magical Legend of the Leprechauns”

This gorgeous, fun movie follows the story of “Romeo and Juliet,” but it provides a twist: Juliet, called Jessica in this version, is an Irish fairy, and her Romeo, called Mickey here, is a leprechaun. Their love story and the war it causes among the leprechauns and fairies leads to havoc.

Jessica and Mickey’s tale is just one of the movie’s plots, though, as there’s another tale involving an American businessman, Jack, who learns of the leprechauns and fairies while trying to covertly turn the idyllic Irish countryside into a theme park. Jack falls in love with a local woman but finds she doesn’t approve of his company’s plans.

The couples struggle to do what’s right and save their square of Ireland while trying not to lose each other.


1. “The Quiet Man”

There is no movie that better showcases the beauty of Ireland — its scenery, people and culture — than “The Quiet Man.”

This is undoubtedly the best movie you can watch on St. Patrick’s Day. “The Quiet Man” was filmed in Ireland and recruited locals and Irish Americans for its cast, with John Wayne starring as Irish-born American Sean Thornton, who returns to his native country and falls in love with the temperamental Mary Kate, played by Maureen O’Hara.

Along the way, viewers meet the curmudgeonly, drunk and affable Michaeleen Oge Flynn, who advises couples that there will be “no patty fingers” under his watch and who can’t take his horse past a pub without the horse assuming he wants to stop; the gambling Rev. Playfair and his Catholic counterpart, Father Lonergan; and a band of Irish Republican Army conspirators.

Sean and Mary Kate’s love — and his rivalry with her brother, Will — make for a thoughtful yet humorous story, but you’ll need multiple viewings to fully take in and appreciate the beauty of the Irish scenery and the way life in Ireland is portrayed.