Inside I’m Dancing is on the list - Although I haven’t seen it I am very familiar with the story (see my comment #3 above)

Mickey Bo & Me I’ve seen so I can’t include it on this list but I hope others are noting your recommendation for it. Similarly Waking Ned Devine (or just waking Ned as it’s known in ireland and Britain) is another film I’ve seen so can’t put on the list of films I haven’t seen - but I’m not a huge fan of it anyway so it won’t be making the list of my favourite Irish films either. I can see why some people do like it however.

The story behind why so many people, including me, haven’t seen An Evertasting Piece is a fascinating one of dreams not coming true.

I must say that I’ve never had a problem with Sean Connery playing Irish roles - probably because he tends to just use his normal Scottish accent. It’s a bit like German soldiers speaking English; I can get past it in a way I can’t with badly faked accents.

Mickybo & Me: again saw it on cable; glad I saw it because I haven’t been able to find it to buy or rent. It was terrific - based on a play (about two boys from “opposite sides in Belfast” who become friends at the start of the Troubles in 1970. The boys share an obsession with Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid).

I also liked An Everlasting Piece (though it’s not everyone’s cup of tea). Again Belfast, Catholic/protestant relationship, 1980’s, some comedic elements.

Am I totally lame to recommend Waking Ned Devine? I really love that film.

I agree w/ you: I loved Millions, too (though technically not Irish film, it does have a terrific Irish actor playing the dad and I wish the boys were Irish. They’re brilliant kid actors - very natural and really act like brothers).

Darby O’Gill & the Little People - again, I’m lame (and I hate to possibly lose all credibility on this), but it’s got a special place in my heart for sentimental reasons: it was the first “Irish” film I remember seeing (I think even before Quiet Man). I know Sean Connery isn’t Irish and his accent is soooo not Irish: but it was easier to discuss/explain some Irish legends/stories to my kids after viewing it together. It’s definitely not Irish Art, but not horrible for a “Disneyfied” version of an Irish story.

The brand new Brendan Gleeson one (and Colin Farrell) - Martin McDonagh’s In Bruges I expect to add to list immediately.

Medbh - Maybe Once will keep until after your trip to Ireland, and that might change your outlook on it, if only to look at the Dublin that you’re refreshed yourself on?

Like you I have never had a desire to see Darby O’Gill but screwed up my courage and had a look at it for a review awhile back. And I have to admit it wasn’t at all as horrible as I thought it would be. It’s no Wind That Shakes the Barley and I would certainly never recommend anyone assume it comprises the totality of Irish culture, but I have had to take it off my “would rather have a root canal without anesthetic” list.
Of course, I will also admit that I have always really enjoyed the metaphysical aspects of Da, so there you go.
Oh, and another flick you might want to add to the list is Brendan Gleason’s “The General.” One of my favorites.

Primal, Inside I’m Dancing is actually very high because the story and original script were written by a very close friend of mine when we were housemates, and I would have met the man who one of the main characters is loosely based on. In the US it only got a limited release of a couple of art houses in New York and Sundance I think.

Push Inside I’m Dancing to the top of the list, Eolaí. Class altogether.