There's only two more days 'til the most green and drunk day of the year, and I've got some recommendations to get you in an Irish loving mood.

I Think This Helps Things Too.



A real modern classic this first one, it's Intermission.

It was released way back in 2003 and it stars Colm "Star Trek's O'Brien" Meaney as a Guard (cop), Cillian "Scarecrow" Murphy as a guy trying to get back together with his ex who has just moved in with an old married man, and Colin Farrell as a criminal who just loves doing crimes. I'd love to tell you a bit of the plot but, to be honest, there are three, seemingly separate plots and stories and giving you some of the story would take me a few hundred words. Regardless, this film is a great black comedy, dealing with criminals, cops, love, marriage and a woman with a nasty Ronnie. Each and every character is looking for the thing to complete them as people; catching criminals, creating crimes, love, fame, revenge or a razor. This is a great modern Irish film, that will make your Paddy's Day.






After Intermission it's time for something a bit more dignified; The Field.

The Field is set in a small country village in southwest Ireland. Richard Harris plays the Bull McCabe who has spent many hard years of labour turning a rocky piece of land that he rents into a field suitable for grazing cattle. He has always considered the land his own, and dreams of buying it; the owner decides to sell the land at public auction. The McCabes intimidate most of the townspeople out of bidding in the auction, to the anger of auctioneer Mick Flanagan, but Galway man William Dee arrives from England, where he has lived for many years, with his own plans for the field. This film won Richard Harris an Oscar nomination in 1990, and it's easy to see why. He was one of Ireland's greatest actors, up there with Peter O'Toole, and this is arguably his greatest role. Most remember him for playing Dumbledore in the first two Harry Potter films but this play-turned-film shows his real talent and is well worth your money.






If the first was a comedy, the second a tragedy, this film perfectly mixes the two; Inside I'm Dancing

Also known as Rory O'Shea Was Here in the States, this film will make you laugh 'til you cry, and then just make you cry. This film, just from the poster, might look like a political film about people in wheelchairs, but it's really not. Nor does any of the comedy come from paraplegic people (this isn't some shitty spoof we're talking here), but comes more from people's reactions to Rory and Michael. I, quite simply, love this film. This is one of the greatest Irish films of the past twenty years. If you only see one of these films, this should be the one. The acting is superb, and the script: brilliant. The film stars James McAvoy as Rory a young man in an electric wheelchair. He can't move anything below his neck when he arrives at a home for the disabled. There he meets Michael, a man with cerebral palsy who has never lived outside the home. Michael is shocked to discover that Rory, who can only move his right hand, can understand his almost unintelligible speech. Rory's rebellious nature soon sparks a flame in Michael, introducing him to a world of independence.




Paddy's Day is a day when everyone's Irish, apparently, but with these films you can be a little bit Irisher than most. Christ that's shocking English right there. Either way, get a couple of friends together, grab these films and a couple of drinks and enjoy!


Ach, bí cúarmach, mar bhí a lán scannán Éireannach uafásach sna domhain. Avoid these 'Irish' films like green vomit in a gutter.

There isn't a single Irish thing to be found here. The days when Ireland was in any way similar to what is portrayed in these films are long gone. They now only exist to be mocked by every self-respecting Irish person.

Anyway I just want to say Happy Saint Patrick's Day to all here on Spill. Whatever way you celebrate the day, or don't, I hope you have fun and enjoy these films.

Talk to ya later!

PS I'd never heard of Boondock Saints before today. It was only released in America, never here in Ireland. Also I don't think it qualifies as an Irish film. That's why it's not on this short list of Irish recommendations.