10 Irish Movies and TV shows to see (before you come to Ireland)

The 1952 romantic comedy/drama directed by John Ford. Its a nostalgic and idealised view of rural Ireland in the 1950’s. Sean Thornton played by John Wayne who as an ex-American boxer returns to his Irish birthplace to be smitten for a fiery redhead Mary Kate Dannagher (Maureen O’Hara).

This movie is set in the beautiful rural village of Cong in County Mayo which remains to this day a must see on your 10 and 12 day Northpoint Irish Tour.

This is a 2021 coming of age drama film written and directed by Irish born Kenneth Branagh. It stars Judy Dench, Jamie Dornan, Ciaran Hinds, Colin Morgan and Jude Hill. It follows a young boys childhood in Belfast Northern Ireland at the beginning of the troubles in 1969. We follow his families agonising decision to stay or leave the city they love for a safer life.

Belfast won the Oscar for best original screenplay.

Alan Parkers 1991 musical comedy about a young music fanatic who assembles an unlikely group of local working class musicians capturing their energy and humour as they navigate their dreams of stardom. Their shared love of American soul music results in a music filled story of ambition in the heart of Dublin's Northside. Famous for it’s gritty realism and powerful soundtrack.

From 2018 to 2022 Derry Girls is a critically acclaimed Northern Ireland sitcom created and written by Lisa McGee. Set in Derry during the final years of the troubles in the 1990s,t his series follows five teenagers as they navigate their universal challenges against the backdrop of sectarian conflict.

A large mural of the main characters was painted on the side of Badger’s bar in Derry and It has become a major tourist attraction.

The 1989 graphical film about the Irish writer and artist Christy Brown. He was born into a poor working class Dublin family with severe cerebral palsy and yet defied all expectations to write and paint using only his left foot. Daniel Day Lewis received an Oscar for Best actor. Brenda Fricker received an Oscar for Best supporting actress for her role as Christy Browns mother.

This 1982 Irish fantasy adventure film directed by Mike Newell and written by Jim Sheridan. It tells the story of two young impoverished traveller brothers in Dublin who journey across Ireland with a mystical white horse.

The film focuses on the fathers struggle with alcoholism and grief over his wife’s death and how the boys adventure helps the family deal with their loss and reconnection with their traveller heritage amidst the stark beauty of the Irish landscape.

A beloved Sitcom from 1995-1998 and created by Irish writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews. The show follows the surreal and often chaotic lives of three Irish priests and their housekeeper on the fictional craggy Island off the west coast of Ireland.

Many well-known catchphrases still live on from the series. For example 'go on go on go on', that would be an ecumenical matter and 'down with that sort of thing'. An annual Ted fest is still held on the Aran Islands.

Novel by Colin TobyThis is a 2915 Romantic period drama film directed by John Crowley and written by Nick Hornby, based in the 2009 novel by Colm Toibin.

The plot follows Ellis Lacey, a young Irishwoman who immigrates to Brooklyn, New York in the early 1950s to find employment. After building a life there, she is drawn back to her hometown of Enniscorthy.and has to choose where she wants to forge her future. It stars Saiorse Ronan, Emory Cohen, Donal Gleeson Jim Broadbent and Julie Walters in supporting roles.

A theatrical show consisting mainly of traditional Irish music and dance. It actually began as an interval act during the Eurovision song contest in 1994. It features a score composed by Bill Whelan and pictures Irish dancing champions Michael Flatley and Jean Butler and featured the vocal ensemble of Anuna. It was expanded into a stage show and opened in Dublin on February 1995.

As of 2025 the show continues to tour the world.

This 1996 biographical historical drama starring Liam Neeson in the role Michael Collins, the Irish revolutionary leader. It’s an epic story about Ireland’s fierce fight for independence ands showcases Collin’s mastery of guerrilla warfare and political manoeuvring against Britain which ultimately lead to a tragic Civil War and his assassination.