Director Frank Mannion delivers a St. Patrick’s Day gift to the U.S. in a documentary called Quintessentially Irish. The film consists of interviews with various celebrities and other well-known figures talking about their lives in Ireland, specifically what it means to be Irish. Some of the subjects aren’t Irish but have close ties to the people and culture of Ireland. Mannion speaks to Pierce Brosnan, Jeremy Irons, Prince Albert II of Monaco, and many others. Also featured in the film are Michael D. Higgins (President of Ireland), Ricky Simms, Usain Bolt, Emma Dabiri, and U.S. President Joe Biden. The film steers clear of the darker moments in Ireland’s history and focuses on fun, upbeat aspects of Irish culture and beauty.
You may be surprised to learn that Pierce Brosnan is Irish. The characters he’s played come across as British, and of course, he famously played British super-spy James Bond. He speaks eloquently and longingly of his homeland, even though he lives now in California. This is the way of things for many people displaced from Ireland. There is a long and sad history of those forced to leave because of financial hardship or for other reasons. The Irish diaspora continues, with millions of Irish living outside the country.
Quintessentially Irish plays like an advertisement for Irish travel, as it doesn’t delve into any troubling topics or history, but that makes it fun and light. For viewers who aren’t as familiar with real Irish culture, you’ll be introduced to Irish sports and traditions as well as questions about the future of the Emerald Isle. Where do the Irish come down on the issue of a United Ireland in the context of a post-Brexit U.K.? What are the most beloved of the many celebrated Irish writers? What is “The Craic,” and how does one find it? Is Irish wine good? What does the Irish language sound like? Must you have Guinness when you visit? (the answer is yes, and don’t drink it anywhere outside of Ireland…)
“…celebrities and other well-known figures talking about their lives in Ireland, and specifically what it means to be Irish.”
Modern Ireland is populated by many characters. We hear from Lord Randal Plunkett, 21st Baron of Dunsany, in County Meath, a young scion of that family who still lives in the castle. The film shows in many appearances and speeches that President Joe Biden loves Ireland, and they love him right back. Barack Obama was so popular that people were spelling his name “O’Bama,” as if he was himself Irish. In fact, there’s a good-natured term for people who consider themselves Irish but didn’t grow up there. They are called “Plastic Paddies.” We learn about the Irish sport of Hurling and the importance of the beloved Princess Grace Kelly.
The film shows aspects of Ireland that may be missed by those who only know the stereotypes and trite media tropes of the Irish. Vision Films, the distributor, says it is “a love letter to all things great and Irish that reveals some surprising facts about what it means to be Irish.” Mannion adds: “Quintessentially Irish reflects the modern reality that Ireland is much more than cliched representations of leprechauns; the country has a renewed national self-confidence that is reflected in the thrilling mix of a new generation of artists and novelists…”
The Irish think of American celebrations of St. Patrick’s Day as “amateur night.” In Ireland, the day is usually more of a quiet religious holiday. To respect that notion, instead of overindulging in green beer (there is no green beer in Ireland), going down to where they’ve dyed the river green, or talking about leprechauns or lucky charms, or pinching someone for not wearing green, any of the traditions that are goofy American stereotypes, and not Irish… consider watching Quintessentially Irish to get a real sense of the amazing Irish people and their history in that beautiful place.
"…a real sense of the amazing people and their history in that beautiful place"
