That’s a wrap on our brand-new Moonlit Movies series, showcasing the best of cult Irish cinema with a fusion of film, food and fun!

Across August and into September 2024, film lovers had the chance to watch a mini season of classic Irish films on the big screen under the open sky at unique outdoor venues in Offaly.

This event was thanks to funding from the Screen Ireland Audience Development Fund.

Monday 5 August
Courthouse Yard, Birr
Part of Birr Vintage Week & Arts Festival

After Dublin resident John (Cillian Murphy) attempts a “trial” breakup with his girlfriend (Kelly Macdonald), she starts dating a middle-aged banker. A chance encounter introduces him to small-time crook Lehiff (Colin Farrell), and together they team up to get revenge on the banker. Unluckily for them, a local hotshot police detective (Colm Meaney) has it out for Lehiff. Add some brown sauce, a woman’s moustache, flying rocks and dancing single seniors and you have “Intermission.”

Saturday 24 August
Kinnitty Castle Hotel
Supporting Offaly Pride (In partnership with Offaly Local Development Company)

Two underclassmen roommates at an all-boys boarding school eventually and unexpectedly bond, one a social outcast, the other a star rugby player. With a new English teacher challenging students to find their own voices, the boys’ friendship is tested by the rugby-obsessed expectations of others after one is found to be gay. Two opposites, a loner and the top athlete become friends at a rugby-obsessed boarding school, and the authorities test their friendship.

30 & 31 August
Birr Castle Demesne

The Commiments
Voted the best Irish film ever made in a poll sponsored by Jameson Whiskey in 2005, The Commitments charts the unlikely journey of Dublin soul band ‘The Commitments’. Ambitious Jimmy Rabbitte (Robert Arkins) takes control of his friend’s struggling wedding band and transforms them into ten-piece soul group ‘The Commitments’, recruiting new members from around his working-class community.

Sing Street
With money tight in a boozy, middle-class 1980s Dublin household, youngest son Conor is forced to transfer from his private school to the Brothers in Synge Street where posh new boys are easy prey for the school bullies. Presenting a pitch-perfect reconstruction of Dublin teen life in the 1980s, director John Carney has scored another triumph with this hilarious, warm hearted musical tale.

Saturday 7 September
Courthouse Yard, Birr

Based on the origin story of the riotous and ground-breaking Irish-language rap trio KNEECAP, the film stars Mo Chara, Móglaí Bap and DJ Próvaí in their acting debuts alongside Academy Award Nominee Michael Fassbender. Set in West Belfast in 2019, it chronicles how fate brings the trio together and how they then go on to “change the sound of Irish music forever”.

With thanks to Wildcard Distribution.