The Best Movies Set in Ireland

This historical biopic tells the true story of Terri Hooley (played by Richard Dormer), who opened a record store in Belfast in the midst of The Troubles. Empowered by his radical politics and pure love of music, Hooley helps usher in a local punk movement. Writing for The Australian, critic Eddie Cockrell called it “a film that is determined to live up to its title.”

The feature directorial debut from Steve McQueen documents the real-life 1981 Maze Prison hunger strike from multiple perspectives. German-born, Irish-raised actor Michael Fassbender plays IRA prisoner Bobby Sands, who leads the strike in an effort to gain recognized political status for himself and others.

This historical action thriller, which takes place in Belfast during the early years of The Troubles, kicks off with a deadly street riot. Accidentally abandoned by his unit, a British soldier (Jack O’Connell) must survive the night as he navigates hostile terrain.

Walt Disney Studios produced this fantasy adventure, based on a series of Irish stories by writer Herminie Templeton Kavanagh. Follow wily codger Darby O’Gill (Albert Sharpe) as he chases leprechauns and attempts to ward off an evil banshee spirit.

Director Martin McDonagh’s latest dramedy reteams him with “In Bruges” stars Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson. Set on the fictional isle of Inisherin in 1923, it chronicles the fallout between two lifelong friends (Farrell and Gleeson). Just beneath the narrative veneer is a complex allegory about the Irish Civil War. It won nine Oscar nominations at this year’s Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor (for two different performers), and Best Supporting Actress – but didn’t take any statuettes home.