{"id":603840,"date":"2026-08-25T05:34:17","date_gmt":"2026-08-25T05:34:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/603840\/"},"modified":"2026-08-25T05:34:17","modified_gmt":"2026-08-25T05:34:17","slug":"51-irish-movie-classics-available-to-watch-free-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/603840\/","title":{"rendered":"51 Irish movie classics available to watch free online"},"content":{"rendered":"

Updated! Looking for a good movie to watch tonight? Right now, you can stream a variety of Irish screen classics old and new via the RT\u00c9 Player<\/a> and TG4 Player<\/a> – and they’re all free!<\/p>\n

That’s right, enjoy a host of celluloid classics featuring the likes of (deep breath) Paul Mescal, Brendan and Domhnall Gleeson, Barry Keoghan, Ruth Negga, Richard Harris, Cillian Murphy, Daniel Day-Lewis, Lola Petticrew, Stephen Rea, Sharon Horgan, Colm Meaney, Brenda Fricker, Eanna Hardwicke and Liam Neeson, along with some acclaimed short films, several must-see documentaries and a few unsung gems as bearla agus as gaeilge, not to mention the odd Oscar winner. Now get stuck in…<\/p>\n

Retirement Plan<\/a><\/p>\n

John Kelly’s Academy Award\u2013nominated short film tells the story of Ray (voiced by Domhnall Gleeson) as he fantasises about everything he’d love to do in retirement\u2014once he finally has the time (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Bring Them Down<\/a><\/p>\n

When a conflict with rival farmer Gary and his son Jack escalates, a devastating chain of events leaves both families permanently altered… Barry Keoghan and Chrisopher Abbott star in this intense rural revenge drama (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Breakfast on Pluto<\/a><\/p>\n

An Irish trans woman searches 1970s London for her estranged mother and manages to fall foul of the IRA in Neil Jordan’s black comedy drama, based on the novel by Pat McCabe and starring Cillian Murphy, Liam Neeson, Ruth Negga and Brendan Gleeson (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Kathleen Is Here<\/a><\/p>\n

Kathleen turns 18, leaves foster care, and returns to her hometown after her mother’s death… Actor-turned-actor Eva Birthistle’s feature debut focuses on a young woman’s emotional journey after leaving foster care and returning to her home town (watch via RT\u00c9 Player) <\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nHazel Doupe in Kathleen Is Here<\/p>\n

Black 47<\/a><\/p>\n

Set in Ireland during the Great Famine, Lance Daly’s revenge drama follows an Irish Ranger who has been fighting for the British Army abroad, as he abandons his post to reunite with his family (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Dublin Crust<\/a><\/p>\n

A decade after punk band Crust split up, the band members’ lives have fallen apart. When drummer Bonehead is released from prison, he sets out to reform the band for one last show in this indie drama (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Da<\/a><\/p>\n

A New York playwright is summoned to Ireland to bury his father (his “Da”). While at his boyhood home, he encounters his father’s spirit and relives memories both pleasant and not… Martin Sheen stars in this moving adaptation of Hugh Leonard’s Tony Award-winning play (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

All of This Unreal Time<\/a><\/p>\n

On a journey from darkness into light, a man explores his failings as a human being… Cillian Murphy stars in a short poetic meditation on grief, guilt, and survival from Severance director Aoife McArdle, with a script by Grief Is The Thing With Feathers author Max Porter (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nCillian Murphy in All of This Unreal Time<\/p>\n

Born That Way<\/a><\/p>\n

Eamonn Little’s acclaimed documentary is a portrait of Patrick Lydon, an unsung Irish hero who dedicated his life to creating a more inclusive society (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Death of a Ladies’ Man<\/a><\/p>\n

A womanising poetry professor journeys to remote Ireland to find clarity after his life is turned upside down, in a comedic drama inspired by the songs of Leonard Cohen and starring Gabriel Byrne (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Dating Amber<\/a><\/p>\n

Two closeted teenage friends in 1990s Ireland decide to fake a straight relationship in order to hide their sexuality in writer\/director David Freyne’s comedy drama, starring Finn O’Shea, Lola Petticrew and Sharon Horgan (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Ballywater<\/a><\/p>\n

In this a bitter-sweet comedy-drama, a university drop-out (Seana Kerslake) living with her mum and making money as an unlicensed minicab driver, picks up a budding stand-up comic (Late Late Show host Patrick Kielty, in an impressive movie debut) whose marriage has recently broken up (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nEanna Hardwicke and Danielle Galligan star in Lakelands<\/p>\n

Lakelands<\/a><\/p>\n

Following a violent attack on a night out, promising young Gaelic footballer Cian O’Reilly (rising star Eanna Hardwicke) sustains a life-changing injury in this award-winning GAA drama (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Made In Dublin<\/a><\/p>\n

Finn is an aspiring actor who makes a living working in a restaurant in Dublin. A meeting with a famous director with a dark past ends up in conflict. In a city of countless stories, lives collide and destinies intertwine… (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

So This is Christmas<\/a><\/p>\n

Ken Wardrop’s acclaimed (and emotional) documentary follows a handful of people around Ireland as they navigate a complicated lead-up to the Christmas season (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

The Bright Side<\/a><\/p>\n

A stand-up comedian’s life changes forever when she is diagnosed with breast cancer. She must decide whether to face up to the condition or run away from her problems. Gemma-Leah Devereux stars in a comedy based upon comedian Anne Gildea’s memoir (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nThe Snapper<\/p>\n

The Snapper<\/a><\/p>\n

This hilarious (and much-loved) adaptation of the second book in Roddy Doyle’s Barrytown Trilogy stars Tina Kellegher as a young woman who falls pregnant after a night on the town, and Colm Meaney as her over-protective Da (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

God’s Creatures<\/a><\/p>\n

Aileen’s willingness to help her recently returned son Brian has major repercussions in their struggling County Kerry fishing community… Paul Mescal, Aisling Franciosi and Emily Watson star in this atmospheric psychological drama (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Once<\/a><\/p>\n

An Irish street musician and a Czech immigrant collaborate on songs that reflect the story of their blossoming love in John Carney’s Oscar-winning gem, starring the late Glen Hansard (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"An
\nAn Cail\u00edn Ci\u00fain<\/p>\n

An Cail\u00edn Ci\u00fain<\/a><\/p>\n

In the Oscar-nominated adaptation of Clare Keegan’s novella, C\u00e1it (Catherine Clinch) is sent from her overcrowded, dysfunctional household to live with distant relatives for the summer. Slowly a warmth grows within this makeshift family, and C\u00e1it begins to blossom in their care (watch via TG4 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Eat Sleep Cheer Repeat<\/a><\/p>\n

This look at the world of competitive cheerleading in Ireland, following the young female and male athletes of Team Ireland, is a surprising and uplifting documentary exploring the worlds of young misfits who find a place where they belong (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nNorth Circular<\/p>\n

North Circular<\/a><\/p>\n

Luke McManus’s documentary offers a stunning musical odyssey traveling the length of Dublin’s North Circular Road, from the Phoenix Park to Dublin Port, exploring the history, music and residents of this storied street (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

My Left Foot<\/a><\/p>\n

Christy Brown (Daniel-Day Lewis, in an Oscar-wnning role) is diagnosed with Cerebral Palsy at birth, however, he learns to paint and write with the only unaffected limb in his body, his left foot. Three decades on, Jim Sheridan’s debut feature remains a milestone in Irish cinema (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Dreamtown<\/a><\/p>\n

An aging, failed rockstar, who still lives like he’s in his 20s, sets out to reconnect with his estranged, musically gifted son in this indie drama starring Anthony Murphy, Cian Hyland and Michelle Lucy (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nArracht<\/p>\n

Arracht<\/a><\/p>\n

Ireland, 1845: as the famine progresses, a fisherman (D\u00f3nall \u00d3 H\u00e9alai) unable to protect his family is subsumed by darkness until a helpless little girl saves him from despair, in writer\/director Tom\u00e1s \u00d3 S\u00failleabh\u00e1in’s acclaimed Irish language drama (watch via TG4 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

When All Is Ruin Once Again<\/a><\/p>\n

Shot over seven years in counties Clare and Galway, Keith Walsh’s documentary (which takes its title from a line in a W.B. Yeats poem) is cinematic essay about rural life in the midst of great local, national and global change (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Dancing at Lughnasa<\/a><\/p>\n

Meryl Streep stars in this adaptaion of Brian Friel’s classic play. A boy is raised by his mother and her four sisters in 1930s Donegal. The simple, ordered lives of these five women are thrown into turmoil by the appearance of their brother (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nDancing At Lughnasa<\/p>\n

Foscadh<\/a><\/p>\n

Set in Connemara and based on characters in the novel The Thing about December by Donal Ryan, Foscadh tells the story of a na\u00efve recluse (D\u00f3nall \u00d3 H\u00e9ala\u00ed) who is suddenly propelled into manhood (watch via TG4 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Mrs Robinson<\/a><\/p>\n

The inspirational life story of change-maker Mary Robinson: Ireland’s first female President, a pioneering UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and the successor of Nelson Mandela as Chair of The Elders (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

A Love Divided<\/a><\/p>\n

Liam Cunningham and Orla Brady star in this moving and dramatic tale of a marriage between a Catholic and a Protestant in 1950’s Ireland (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nSong Of Granite<\/p>\n

Song of Granite<\/a><\/p>\n

Pat Collins’ stunning biopic is a critically acclaimed, lyrical and unconventional account of the life of the complex and enigmatic Joe Heaney, one of the greats of traditional Irish sean-n\u00f3s singing (watch via TG4 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

The Field<\/a><\/p>\n

Jim Sheridan followed My Left Foot with this powerful adaptation of John B. Keane’s play, anchored by an unforgettable performance from Richard Harris as a hard-headed tenant farmer whose fertile holding attracts the attention of a wealthy American (Tom Berenger) when the landlord puts his plot up for auction (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nRichard Harris in The Field<\/p>\n

Million Dollar Pigeons<\/a><\/p>\n

Pigeon masters from across the globe compete in the highest-stakes bird races on the planet. Fame, fortune and livelihoods rest on the wings of these feathered athletes in this hilarious and charming documentary (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Katie<\/a><\/p>\n

For the first time, Katie Taylor, the world’s greatest female boxer, allows unprecedented access to her life. Ross Whitaker’s documentary is a riveting and highly emotional documentary that cuts to the core of Katie’s demise and tells the story of her attempt to rebuild her life (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nMetal Heart<\/p>\n

F<\/a>inky<\/a><\/p>\n

Mic\u00ed Finky, a musician and puppeteer looking to escape his past, steals an envelope full of cash and runs off to Scotland with his childhood friend Tom Tom… Dara Devaney, Ned Dennehy and Diarmuid de Faoite star in this quirky fantasy (watch via TG4 Player<\/a><\/p>\n

Six Shooter <\/a><\/p>\n

Before In Bruges and The Banshees of Inisherin, writer-director Martin McDonagh teamed up with actor Brendan Gleeson for this Oscar-winning short film, in which a sorrowful train ride home for a grieving man leads to a fateful encounter with a bizarre and psychotic young stranger (watch via YouTube)<\/a><\/p>\n

Tarrac<\/a><\/p>\n

In this intimate sporting drama set in the Kerry Gaeltacht, a young woman (Kelly Gough) returns home after her father (Lorcan Cranitch) suffers a heart attack. She finds herself returning to the competitive world of rowing in Naomh\u00f3gs, native Irish boats (watch via TG4 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Tara Road<\/a><\/p>\n

Two women going through personal crises do a house swap, in the process proving the old saying that a change is as good as a rest… With a cast led by Andie McDowell, Maeve Binchy’s classic novel makes for comfort movie viewing of the finest order (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Ann<\/a><\/p>\n

Dramatising the real-life story of Ann Lovett, a 15-year-old girl who died in childbirth in a grotto in Granard, Co. Longford in 1984, Ciaran Creagh’s film revisits a tragedy that shook the nation to its core (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nOlwen Fou\u00e9r\u00e9 in Violet Gibson: The Irish Woman Who Shot Mussolini<\/p>\n

Violet Gibson<\/a>, The Irish Woman Who Shot Mussolini<\/a><\/p>\n

Olwen Fou\u00e9r\u00e9 stars in fascinating docu-drama telling the true story of Irish woman Violet Gibson, who shot and almost assassinated Italian dictator Benito Mussolini in 1926 (watch via TG4 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

A Greyhound Of A Girl<\/a><\/p>\n

Based on the beloved children’s book by Roddy Doyle, this animated coming-of-age story, filled with joy and laughter, joins four generations of women on an unforgettable journey together (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Five Minutes Of Heaven<\/a><\/p>\n

UVF member Alistair Little kills a man while his brother, Joe, watches in horror. Things take a turn when Little and Joe come face-to-face for a TV interview several years later… Liam Neeson and James Nesbitt shine in this powerful drama (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\n5 Minutes Of Heaven<\/p>\n

The Artist And The Wall Of Death<\/a><\/p>\n

This fascinating documentary tells the unlikely true story of Glaswegian visual artist, Stephen Skrynka, and his dangerous life-long obsession with riding the ‘Wall of Death’, the traditional fairground motorbike ride (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Who We Love<\/a><\/p>\n

An IFTA-nomaited tale about coming of age and coming out, Graham Cantwell’s film tells the story of Lily (Clara Harte) and Simon (Dean Quinn) best friends who navigate the troubled waters of school life and explore Dublin’s vibrant and sometimes dark LGBTQ+ scene under the sharp eye of reluctant mentor Oonagh (Amy-Joyce Hastings) (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

The Breaking Wave: The Buddhists Of Beara<\/a><\/p>\n

An acclaimed and visually stunning documentary exploring the spiritual community of Dzogchen Beara in West Cork, highlighting its founder Peter Cornish and the challenges faced by the community (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"
\nR\u00f3ise & Frank<\/p>\n

R\u00f3ise & Frank<\/a><\/p>\n

A widow who has given up on life becomes convinced that a stray dog is the reincarnation of her Hurling-loving husband in this uplifting Irish language comedy, featuring an outstanding performance from Br\u00edd N\u00ed Neachtain (watch via TG4 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

A Date for Mad Mary<\/a><\/p>\n

Mary returns to her hometown after a brief stint in prison and despite being labeled as undateable, is determined to find a date to bring to her best friend’s wedding… Darren and Colm Thornton’s IFTA winner features a star-making performance from Se\u00e1na Kerslake (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Housewife Of The Year<\/a><\/p>\n

The documentary tells the story of Ireland’s treatment of women through the prism of a unique, surreal, live televised competition, that must be seen to be believed – it\u2019s the story of a resilient generation of women and how they changed a country (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

All You Need Is Death<\/a><\/p>\n

This dark and unsettling Irish folk horror from writer\/director Paul Duane follows a young couple on a journey for forbidden knowledge travelling rural Ireland to record and collect songs (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

What Richard Did <\/a><\/p>\n

A wealthy teenager seduces another student’s girlfriend. His insecurity results in a violent confrontation that has unforeseen consequences. Jack Reynor and Roisin Murphy star in Lenny Abrahamson’s drama, inspired by true-life events (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n

Don’t Forget to Remember<\/a><\/p>\n

Ross Kileen’s documentary film is at once a moving portrait of one woman’s memory loss but also a celebration of a loving family coming together in the face of this condition (watch via RT\u00c9 Player)<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Updated! Looking for a good movie to watch tonight? Right now, you can stream a variety of Irish…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":603841,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[93,61,60],"class_list":["post-603840","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-entertainment","tag-entertainment","tag-ie","tag-ireland"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/603840","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=603840"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/603840\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/603841"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=603840"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=603840"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=603840"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}