March 17th marks St. Patrick’s Day, a religious holiday and a worldwide celebration of Irish culture and history. While you are preparing a traditional dish or gearing up for your local St. Patrick’s Day parade, why not check out some Irish movies and documentaries in Kanopy? The library has some great Emerald Isle content to get you in a St. Patrick’s Day mood!
Background on St. Patrick’s Day
While today St. Patrick’s Day is synonymous with beer, folk music and the color green (see the Chicago River as an extreme example), St. Patrick’s Day originally began as a religious holiday. In 1631, the Catholic Church decreed March 17th a holy day in honor of St. Patrick, a Roman missionary credited with helping to spread Christianity to Ireland. St. Patrick is also one of the patron saints of Ireland (Combs, 2019). Parades in honor of St. Patrick’s Day began in North America in the 18th century.
With the spread of Irish immigrants throughout the world, St. Patrick’s Day became a global celebration. On St. Patrick’s Day, participants might attend a parade, enjoy a traditional Irish American dish of corned beef and cabbage, and wear green (Combs, 2019). Before heading out to your local Irish pub to celebrate, check out some great Irish films and documentaries!
Young Brendan lives in a remote medieval outpost under siege from barbarian raids. But a new life of adventure beckons when a celebrated master illuminator arrives from foreign lands carrying an ancient but unfinished book, brimming with secret wisdom and powers.
To help complete the magical book, Brendan has to overcome his deepest fears on a dangerous quest that takes him into the enchanted forest where mythical creatures hide. It is here that he meets the fairy Aisling, a mysterious young wolf-girl, who helps him along the way. But with the barbarians closing in, will Brendan’s determination and artistic vision illuminate the darkness and show that enlightenment is the best fortification against evil? -Kanopy
This animated film is a delightful watch for the whole family! Check out this film for the unique animation style and elements of historical Irish culture.
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
In 1920s Ireland, young doctor Damien O’Donovan (Cillian Murphy) prepares to depart for a new job in a London hospital. As he says his goodbyes at a friend’s farm, British Black and Tans arrive, and a young man is killed. Damien joins his brother Teddy (Padraic Delaney) in the Irish Republican Army, but political events are soon set in motion that tear the brothers apart. -Kanopy
The Wind That Shakes the Barley is a historical fiction film that shows the difficulties the Irish faced during the Irish Civil War. Viewers interested in the Irish Civil War or seeing a young Cillian Murphy act long before Oppenheimer will find this film enjoyable.
Roots of Irish Identity: Celts to Monks
The Irish Renaissance in the early 20th century was a remarkable period for arts, literature, and culture—and it sprang out of the legendary history of the nation. To help us understand this pivotal period, Professor Conner traces the course of Irish history starting with the ancient Celts and running through the Middle Ages. -Kanopy
Part of the Great Courses series, Roots of Irish Identify covers the ancient and medieval period of Irish history. Patrons who want to learn a little more about Irish history will find this documentary illuminating.
After the controversial free-state treaty at the end of 1921, the country split into civil war, with republicans viewing the treaty as selling out their ideals. Trace the events of the yearlong civil war, including the tragic death of Michael Collins, and see how it finally resolved. -Kanopy
Another Great Courses documentary, this video covers events in the Irish Civil War. This documentary will be interesting to anyone who would like to learn more about a complex period in Ireland’s history.
Ulysses: A Greek Epic in an Irish World
From 1914 to 1921, while Ireland faced revolution at home, James Joyce was abroad, slowly laboring on his great masterpiece, Ulysses. In this first of three lectures about this famous epic and its relation to Irish history, Professor Conner provides a lucid overview of the story, its characters, its style, and its structure. -Kanopy
This Great Courses documentary provides a synopsis of the famous Irish novel Ulysses. If you’re curious about this novel, this lecture may convince you to give the book a read!
How ever you choose to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, keep in mind that the university libraries are here to help. If you are interested in learning what other astonishing resources the library has to offer, make a reference appointment or reach out to your liaison librarian today!
Reference
Combs, S. (2019, February 1st). Who was Saint Patrick and why does he have a day? National Geographic. https://tinyurl.com/5bsehhjb
Charles Gallagher is a Research and Instruction Librarian at The Catholic University of America Libraries.