St. Patrick’s Day is this weekend and on our social media channels we have been listing some great films about Irishmen and Irishwomen that are perfect to watch to celebrate. Films like The Boondock Saints, Intermission, and The Secret of Kells. However, here we want to do something a little different here, so instead of listing great Irish-inspired films, we thought it would be fun to highlight our favorite Irish characters and why we love them.
So without further ado, here are our six favorite Irishmen to ever live on the silver screen.
Darby sharing a drink with the leprechaun king. Classic.
6. Darby O’Gill – Darby O’Gill and the Little People
Darby O’Gill and the Little People is a film that is so stereotypically Irish it leaks leprechauns, literally. But being over-the-top traditional Irish is exactly why we like the 1959 Disney film and why we like Darby. He’s a kind, good-hearted old Irishman that most people see as the local kook because he is constantly talking about trying to catch leprechauns while drinking a pint at the town pub. But Darby may not be as crazy as he sounds when he finds himself battling wits with the leprechaun king. Classic Irish name and classic Irish accent, we had to give a nod to Darby.
Priest Vallon wielding the celtic cross before battle.
5. Priest Vallon – Gangs of New York
“Priest” Vallon doesn’t have much screen time in Martin Scorsese’s Gangs of New York, since he was killed by Bill “the Butcher” in a defining opening battle that frames the rest of the film. But his actions and words as a man have a lasting impact not only on his son, but also on his adversary, as we later find out. He was a good father and an inspirational leader that was the only man to unite hundreds of Irish immigrants to fight injustice in their small corner of New York City. It doesn’t hurt that he was played by the brilliant Liam Neeson as well.
4. Mickey O’Neil – Snatch
While perhaps not technically Irish, but some sort of hybrid between Irish, English, and just Pikey (England’s version of a blend between white trash and gypsies), Mickey O’Neil is the most memorable character from the great Guy Ritchie film, Snatch. Mickey is so memorable for three reasons: he’s played by Brad Pitt, he’s an Read More
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