Are you in the mood for an enchanting, romantic movie with a backdrop of breathtaking Irish scenery and culture? Look no further than these five beloved films that capture the beauty of the Emerald Isle! With its stunning natural vistas, charming locals, traditional music, and delightful brand of wit, Ireland provide a dreamy setting for love stories. Whether you’re looking for a classic drama or something light-hearted and funny, these movies will have you falling head over heels in love with Ireland. Seize the opportunity to gaze at beautiful Irish landscapes with a feel-good film experience!
This list of romantic movies set in Ireland contains a selection of films that provide an insight into the culture, people, and places that make up this beautiful country. Each movie is carefully described with its plot summary and filming locations, so you can gain a detailed understanding of the story behind it. Whether it’s a heartwarming tale of love or a harrowing period drama, these films will transport you to the Emerald Isle and give you an appreciation for its unique beauty. Explore the cinematic wonders that Ireland has to offer through each of these romantic films!
THE MATCHMAKER
Starring: Janeane Garofalo, David O’Hara
Location: The Aran Islands and Roundstone, County Galway
Senator John McGlory’s ambitious efforts to acquire Irish-American voters involve sending his dutiful assistant Marcie off to Ireland in order to uncover information about the senator’s distant relatives and familial roots. Marcie arrives at a remote town situated within the Emerald Isle during the annual Matchmaking Festival. Here she hopes that she will be able to uncover information about John’s ancestry, allowing him to strengthen his connection with the Irish-American community.
She quickly becomes the focus of relentless matchmaking attempts from the local gossipmongers, as well as a flurry of attention from all the eligible bachelors in town, resulting in some truly entertaining scenarios. However, it is ultimately Sean – the charming bartender at her favorite pub – who manages to capture her heart and aid her with her ancestry investigations.
What follows is an entertaining and lighthearted story that is overflowing with hilarity, adoration, amusing Irish personalities, and astounding scenery. A cheerful and alluring romantic comedy that is effortless to watch and sure to leave you feeling satisfied!
The Matchmaking Festival is not merely an imaginary tale; it is a genuine event that occurs each September in the village of Lisdoonvarna situated on Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way. Every year, this annual festival draws people from all corners of the globe who are searching for romance, entertainment, and some good-natured fun. People come to the Matchmaking Festival seeking companionship, eager to find someone with whom they can share their hopes and dreams. The festival provides an opportunity for singles to mingle and build relationships that could last a lifetime.
LEAP YEAR
Starring: Amy Adams, Matthew Goode, Adam Scott
Location: Aran Island, Wicklow National Park, Connemara, Dublin’s Temple Bar
For centuries, it has been an accepted custom in Ireland that on Leap Day – every four years when February 29th falls on the calendar – a woman is given the unique privilege of asking her significant other for their hand in marriage. This age-old practice is deeply rooted in Irish culture and is considered to be both special and traditional. So, Anna journeyed all the way to Dublin, Ireland in order to pop the big question to her significant other. Unfortunately for Anna though, things didn’t go quite as she had expected or hoped they would.
After an emergency plane landing, Anna finds herself in need of a reliable driver to take her on a journey across the emerald isle of Ireland. Desperate to make it to Dublin in time, she turns to Declan, an affable and charismatic Irishman who she believes will get her there safely. This humorous yet endearing tale showcases some of the most picturesque locales that this country has to offer as they traverse their way toward their destination. As Anna and Declan’s relationship blossomed, they discovered that sometimes unexpected places can provide the most remarkable experiences. Surrounded by breathtaking rural landscapes, they were captivated by each other’s company and soon realized that love can be found in the most unlikely of places.
P.S. I LOVE YOU
Starring: Hillary Swank, Gerard Butler
Location: County Wicklow
Holly was devastated when she lost the love of her life, Gerry, to a brain tumor. She knew he had been aware of how deeply his death would affect her and so it didn’t surprise her that he had planned ahead for her. After his passing away, Holly found a number of letters from him all ending with the words ‘P.S. I Love You. Two of Holly’s friends, in an attempt to aid her with dealing with her sadness and anguish, decided to take her on a voyage to Gerry’s native country – Ireland – in the hopes that it would bring her some tranquility and consolation. They thought this trip would be beneficial for Holly, providing a much-needed distraction from the grief she was experiencing.
The letters in the movie take Holly on a profoundly affecting and transformative journey of rediscovery, enabling her to put the past behind her and start anew with a newfound sense of hope. Her final letter encourages her to overcome her fear and hesitance, despite all the hurt she has endured, by embracing new love as a means to heal her heart. This touching story will surely bring a lot of emotions and tears to many eyes!
BROOKLYN
Starring: Saoirse Ronan, Emory Cohen
Location: Enniscorthy, Wexford, Dublin
Eilis, a young Irish woman in the 1950s, decides to leave her home country and journey to Brooklyn in search of work. When she gets there, she meets and eventually falls deeply in love with an Italian American man named Tony. After a time of courtship, Eilis and Tony decide to take their relationship to the next level by tying the knot and getting married. When the shocking news of her beloved sister’s untimely death reaches her, she returns to her native Ireland in despair. Taking on a temporary role as a bookkeeper at the firm where her late sibling was employed, she unexpectedly meets bachelor Jim who is instantly taken by her charm and beauty. Despite the sorrowful circumstances that brought them together, an intense bond forms between them and he quickly falls deeply in love with her.
Eilis is faced with an impossible decision – to stay in the place she was born and raised, Ireland, or to remain in her adopted home America. She must choose between two distinct lives: one full of familiarity and comfort, the other offering new opportunities for growth and success. Will Eilis’ love for someone be enough to make up her mind? A captivating modern classic romance tale that will leave you breathless!
TRISTAN & ISOLDE
Starring: James Franco, Sophia Myles
Location: Ballinahinch Castle, Killary Harbour, Connemara, Glassilaun Beach
The movie is based on an ancient, traditional tale that recounts the ill-fated love between English knight Tristan and Irish princess Isolde, set in a period soon after the Roman empire had been overthrown. This romantic legend has captivated people for centuries and its timeless themes of love and devotion have endured throughout the ages.
Tristan was injured in a fierce battle, leaving him barely alive and stranded in Ireland. It is there that he meets Isolde, the beautiful daughter of an Irish king. She takes it upon herself to nurse him back to health with her gentle care and loving attention. Their hearts soon become entwined as their feelings for each other grow stronger. Unfortunately, Tristan had no way of knowing who she truly was; therefore, duty called for him to return home before his identity could be revealed. Even though they were forced to part ways, neither one would forget the love they found in each other’s arms during that brief moment in time.
Tristan is unaware that the woman of his dreams, Isolde, is destined to marry the Lord whom he serves and become the monarch of two distinct realms. Will their love for one another threaten the peace between these nations? This romantic drama based on a medieval tale of forbidden love is certainly worth watching. It will leave you captivated by its story as it examines whether true love can survive in such an oppressive environment.
