THE EMERALD ISLE

Céad Mile Fáilte!

A beautiful island. Here’s to the Ring of Kerry, the Cliffs of Moher (above), the 12 Pins in Connemara, Funghi the dolphin at Dingle…

In wild unspoilt Connemara, West Ireland, i was looking out of a holiday cottage just after dawn in summer and what should i see, perched casually on a fence, but a tiny leprechaun! He was merrily singing of praties and Galway bay. Such a dandy fellow, with his silver beard, emerald velvet costume, hat and shiny buckles. I bade him good morning but after a few minutes of most agreeable conversation, while he was momentarily distracted- to my instant regret- i took his photo. Having obtained my faithful promise not to publish it, after a puff on his pipe he promptly disappeared. I have kept the photo and my word.

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CINEMA OF IRELAND

This list is of notable Irish-set films by both native and non-Irish directors

Not on this site:

The Lad from Old Ireland
Flight of the Dove
Midnight Dance

The Quiet Man , the popular romance in lovely Connemara surroundings, albeit with morre than a hint of the Oirish blarney and foitin spirit.

With its Irish subject matter i’m including the Belgian/co-production animation The Secret of Kells, and the Japanese animation Kigeki/Comedy

In Bruges involves Irish protagonists but i’m unsure whether it fits here

and some filmed in Ireland, though set elsewhere:

Excalibur
Henry V (Olivier)
Braveheart
Saving Private Ryan

Juanita Wilson is a promising director, whose short The Door was filmed in Ukraine, while her feature As If I’m Not There is set in the former Yugoslavia.

The Secret of Roan Inish

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My lists on neighbouring Celtic countries: Bonnie Scotland and The Welsh Connection.

Suggestions welcome.