The Boys from County Clare (2003)

Director:

John Irvin

Writer:

Nicholas Adams (written by)

Release Date:

12 September 2003 (Canada)

Genre:

Comedy | Musical

Tagline:

Listen to your heart.

Plot:

Jimmy McMahon (Meany) and his group of Liverpudlians plot to win the annual Ceili music competition in Ireland.

Plot Keywords:

Ireland | Irish | Music Festival

Awards:

2 wins & 2 nominations

Cast

Bernard Hill	...	John Joe
Charlotte Bradley	...	Maisie
Andrea Corr	...	Anne
Stephen Brennan	...	Miko
Eamonn Owens	...	Pat
Malachy Bourke	...	Ben
Brendan O'Hare	...	Brendan
Ian Shaw	...	Johnny
Leslie Bingham	...	Leslie
Colm Meaney	...	Jimmy
Shaun Evans	...	Teddy
Philip Barantini	...	Alex
Frank Twomey	...	Roger
Emmet Kirwan	...	Clive
Noel Bridgeman	...	Drummer

Also Known As:

The Boys & Girl from County Clare (USA)
The Great Ceili War (UK) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexuality and nudity.

Runtime:

Canada:90 min (Toronto International Film Festival) | USA:90 min

Country:

Ireland | UK | Germany

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Finland:K-7 | Canada:14A (Ontario) | UK:15 | Ireland:15A | USA:R | USA:R (certificate #39781)

Filming Locations:

Isle of Man

Company:

Isle of Man Film Commission

Trivia:

An Irish music competition such as the one portrayed in the film is called a "fleadh" (pronounced like "flahhh"). However, nobody uses this word in the movie.

Goofs:

Errors in geography: On the return ferry between Ireland and Liverpool, we see Teddy and his friend sitting on a bench. Just behind them is a frosted glass window bearing the symbol of the Isle of Man.

Quotes:

Anne: Is that all You ever think about, Music?
John Joe: Well when you've got the music, you've got friends for life, thats why I'm never lonely. Remember that.

Movie Connections:

References The Mission (1986)

Soundtrack:

The Trip We Took Over the Mountains

Grand. Just grand.

If you like Irish music, that is, traditional Irish music, known to us who know, love and play, as sessions, then you'll love this little film. Colm Meaney, Jimmy, and Bernard Hill, Johnjoe are brothers in competition for winning a ceilidh band contest. Jimmy has immigrated and enjoys a modicum of success and Johnjoe has remained at home. The plot is thickened by the presence of Andrea Corr, Anne, who is Jimmy's daughter out of Charlotte Brtadley, Maisie, JohnJoe's piano player. The love interest is sparked by Jimmy's Liverpudlian flautist, Shaun Evans, Teddy, who falls heavily for Anne and were off the races. The dialogue is lively and the shenanigans are rampant. The payoff is fun and the music..., ah, the music. The music is aoibhinn ta gael. Under the wise baton of Fiachra Trench, the music is grand. Too, Andrea Corr of her own group, The Corrs, adds a bit of freshness to the pot with her perky Irish beauty. If you like sessions, you'll love this one. If you don't, well... listen anyway. The music is tops.