During my first visit to Ireland I heard a movie advertised on the radio and insisted the Irishman take me to see it. It was Goldfish Memory, set in Dublin, and I’m certain it was never screened in the United States. I loved it (and it had a fantastic soundtrack featuring Damien Rice).

I think movies are a great way to … understand the culture and society of another country … get a look at the countryside … learn about a country’s history … and about its humor and music. And since I’m traveling with some Ireland newbies, I was making a list, earlier this summer, to send them.

Which was when I found this. It’s a great article about Irish movies, though I think he waxes a little theatrical himself about “the Irish,” when what he means, I think, are Americans-of-Irish-descent-living-in-the-Boston-area.

I have a list of “Irish” movies as long as my arm, but here are a dozen of my faves to get you in the mood for a trip to Ireland:

Breakfast on Pluto (from the novel by Patrick McCabe, 2005)
Commitments, The (from the novel by Roddy Doyle, 1991)
Crying Game, The (1992)
Field, The (from the play by John B. Keane, 1990)
In America (2002)
In the Name of the Father (from a book by Gerry Conlon, 1993)
Intermission (2003)
Magdalene Sisters, The (2002)
Once (2006)
Veronica Guerin (2003)
Waking Ned Devine (1998)
Wind That Shakes the Barley, The (2006)

I could go on and on and on.

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