St. Patrick’s Day Countdown Finale—The Quiet Girl & More Irish Entertainment!

The Oscar-Nominated film The Quiet Girl

If you’re like me, you might want to celebrate St. Paddy’s Day with an authentic Irish experience… . not keen on the same old green beer or leprechauny stuff like Darby O’Gill and the Little People. 

If you’re looking for something different, and very Irish, here’s a lovely movie you might have missed: The Quiet Girl. 

Based on the novella Foster, by Claire Keegan, it’s a soft, contemplative film. 

The story is simple—nine-year old Cait goes to stay with relatives for the summer—yet in its simplicity, it’s all about kindness, empathy, and healing.

My heart was wrung by Cait—in her dysfunctional family, she was unloved and neglected. But the story isn’t at all grim. 

Rather, it shows us how even the most silent, inexpressive child can blossom with love and care and attention.

Yes, it’s a DVD, cuz we can’t stream films with satellite internet!

I read Foster last year—in fact, it was so impactful that as soon as I finished it I started back on page 1 and read it all over again. The film’s impact is not only in its quiet loveliness, but that most of the scenes are in the Irish language (with subtitles), which added to the film’s empathy and hopefulness. 

If you’re a fan of uplifting shows—my absolute favorite viewing these days is the new All Creatures Great and Small series—there’s a good chance The Quiet Girl will work for you. For me, it could be the best film experience I’ve had this year. 

Today, I discovered Cait’s story is really making a splash—Foster is on the reading list of fantasy author (Eragon) Christopher Paolini!

More Irish Entertainment

Would you like a bigger selection of Irish movies to choose from?

You can find a great list on my website under Irish Fun—and of course the list includes another “quiet” movie, The Quiet Man. 

It’s had a special place in my heart since I was a kid—and even more, since my husband John and I visited the little town where the movie was filmed, Cong, in County Mayo. Cong is less a village than a tourist spot, but it’s inviting all the same. 

Here I am in Cong, with the statue celebrating stars Maureen O’Hara and John Wayne

You can explore the ruins of an ancient abbey and a lovely little river, and locations like Pat Cohan’s pub and the Protestant Reverend’s cottage are right at hand. 

The Reverend’s house

Just outside the village is Ashford Castle. Formerly a country hotel and open the public, it’s where The Quiet Man’s cast stayed in 1951. Sadly, after being purchased by a top-end resort enterprise, it’s now private. And off-limits to the likes of me and other casual tourists!

Photo credit: Pixabay

Still, I followed a car track through the woods and snuck up to the grounds for a look at the castle. Impressive, yeah?

The fun was in reliving my 11-year old explorer self!

If Irish cottages ring your chimes, you might like Cottagecore Fun, and for more all-around Irishness, “The Irish Issue: Jane Austen and The Pirate Queen & Writing Irish.”

However you celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (if you do!), I hope you have a wonderful time!