The 10 best movies for St Patrick's Day: Films depicting the Irish old and new

Celebrate St. Patrick's Day with one of these great movies that bring you back to the Irish roots where it all started. Anyone that has a bit of Irish in them can see where some of your family traditions come from while watching a few of these films. The Pursuitist on Saturday March 16, 2013 offers their take on “10 Great Films for “St. Patrick's Day,” and while these picks are good, there are some awesome movies not represented in their suggestions.

When the Irish first came to the U.S., the struggles they endured with racism and poverty are reflected realistically in a couple of these flicks. “Angela's Ashes” and “Coming to America” are two good movies showing what it is like when first hitting the shores of New York coming from the Emerald Isle. One of the films, “Angela's Ashes” is set in pre-war Ireland. “Coming to America” deals with a modern-day family trying to make their way in the Big Apple after just coming from Ireland.

While both these films depict totally different eras, you'll be surprised to see just how much these two families have in common. Then there's comedy, like what you'll find in “Waking Ned Divine” or “The Guard.” The Irish seem to have the best sense of humor! Whether it's laughs, fiction, or a true story that strikes your fancy, you will find something for your taste in the movies bellow.

1. “Angela's Ashes” (1999): This movie was created from the book that bears the same name. It is a window into the hardships that face an Irish family in pre-war Limerick. The story is told through the eyes of young Frankie McCourt and get ready to laugh and cry as you watch this family's struggles. This is based on a true story.

2. “The Fighting Sullivans” (1944): This is a story of an Irish-American family, consisting of a mom and pop and the five Sullivan brothers. All five of the lads go off to war on the same Navy ship. The story tells the heart-warming story of the boys' upbringing and continues through to the day that they die in war. This is a true story that was the basis for the Navy changing their rules about siblings serving on the same ship together.

3. “In America” (2002): A young Irish couple comes to New York City to try their luck at the American dream. The family's struggles in the ghetto's of New York are enough to pull at anyone's heart-strings.

4. “The Quiet Man” (1952): This John Wayne and Maureen O'hara movie is a classic. A retired American boxer returns to his roots in Ireland where love and a new life is waiting for him.

5. “The Secrets of Roan Inish" (1994): A real Irish folk-lore movie spun into a story that will you have believing in Irish magic.

6. “Waking Ned Devine” (1998): The entire town joins in by trying to collect the lottery winnings of a newly deceased man. The problem is, he needs to be alive when the lottery folks hand him over the money. This movie is probably one of the funniest in modern times as the town folks come up with a scheme.

7. “The Wind that Shakes the Barley” (2006): Two brothers are torn apart in the Irish Civil War. Set in the earl 20th century, this film brings a true tragedy to the screen.

8. “The Guard” (2011): An Irish cop is teamed up with a CIA agent to investigate an international drug smuggling ring. This comedy will keep you in stitches!

9. “Kill the Irishman” (2011): The perfect Irish gangster movie, but this involves the unions and it's all on American turf.

10. “The Departed” (2006): The undercurrent of the Boston Police Department is seen when an undercover cop infiltrates the mafia. The Irish and the Italian population in Boston are both represented in this movie.