Irish audiences will have no shortage of great Irish films to watch over the Christmas period, with a wide selection of Irish stories to enjoy. The Irish Film Board has made a handy list of these, which we’ve copied below.
Kisses (2008) 11pm on December 21, TV3
Kisses tells the story of Kylie and Dylan, two young children who decide to run away from their dysfunctional homes and spend a night on the streets of Dublin’s inner city. But as the night wears on, and Dublin takes on a darker character, the two kids have to rely on the kindness of strangers, the songs of Bob Dylan and their trust in each other to survive the night.
The Secret of Kells (2009) 5:05pm on December 23, RTÉ 2 & 10:20am on December 24, TG4
2015 was a strong year for Tomm Moore and Cartoon Saloon, with a second Academy Award®-nomination for the acclaimed Song of the Sea. Watch The Secret of Kells for which they earned their first nomination, co-directed by Nora Twomey who will direct the upcoming animation The Breadwinner.
An Klondike (2015) 9:40pm on December 26, TG4
An Klondike was the first western to be made in Ireland, with the rugged wilderness of Connemara doubling for the Yukon. This is the feature-film edit of the acclaimed 4-part series which screened on TG4 earlier this year. An Klondike received development funding from the IFB.
Pilgrim Hill (2013) Midnight on December 27, RTÉ 2
The feature debut of Gerard Barrett tells the story of Jimmy Walsh, a bachelor farmer living in rural Ireland fighting isolation and loneliness. In 2015, Barrett’s second feature as director, Glassland screened at the Sundance Film Festival and was released in Irish cinemas. He is currently working on his third feature, Brain on Fire, which stars Chloë Grace Moritz.
Albert Nobbs (2012) 10:30pm on December 29, BBC Two
Glenn Close stars as a woman passing as a man in order to work and survive in 19th century Dublin. Close and Janet McTeer were nominated for Academy Awards® for their performances in this drama, based on the novella by George Moore and co-starring Mia Wasikowska (Alice in Wonderland), Aaron Johnson (Kick Ass) and Brendan Gleeson (Calvary).
Niko: The Flight Before Christmas (2008) 8:25am on December 30, TG4
This festive-themed animation follows a boy reindeer, Niko, who longs to learn to fly like his missing father who was a member of Santa’s Flying Forces. It was produced by Moe Honan, who earlier this year produced the box-office hit Two by Two
Watermelon (2002) 9pm on December 30, TV3
Anna Friel and Brenda Fricker star in this adaptation of the novel by Marian Keyes, which follows Claire as she flees to her hometown of Dublin when her doting boyfriend leaves her after realising that he is not the father of her child.
Rewind (2010) 11:25pm on January 1, TV3
Rewind tells the story of Karen who lives a straightforward and happy life in a small town with her well-to-do husband and young daughter. One day an old acquaintance, Karl, turns up unexpectedly. With him he brings memories of Karen’s shady past, invading and shattering her new idyllic present.
Further films made in Ireland which will screen over Christmas include:
Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie (2014) 9:40pm on December 25, RTÉ One and 9:15pm on December 31, BBC One
Evelyn (2002) 9pm on December 28, TV3
War of the Buttons (1994) 1:35pm on December 31, RTÉ One
The Quiet Man (1952) 3:20pm on December 31, RTÉ One
The Commitments (1991) 9pm on January 1, TV3