Home? I’m already home? And I’m stuck here too, apparently. What are you talking about?

Why, Ireland, of course, you ninny.

During these times in which we find ourselves—I know, I know, I never thought this day would come, but it has, so we should do the best we can and take good care of one another, yes?—what better way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day then a re-watch (or watch for the first time!) of Gabriel Byrne’s lyrical adventure, Into The West?

Into The West is a film about two young boys, Tito ( Ruaidhrí Conroy) and Ossie (Ciarán Fitzgerald), whose father (Gabriel Byrne) was “King of the Travellers” until his wife, Mary, dies during the birth of their second son, Ossie. The boys’ grandfather (David Kelly) is an old story-telling Traveller, who regales the children with Irish folk-tales and legends. When he is followed by a beautiful white horse called Tír na nÓg (meaning “Land of Eternal Youth” in Irish), from the sea to Dublin, where the boys and their father now live, the boys are overwhelmed with joy and the dreams of becoming cowboys. The horse is stolen from them and they begin their adventure to get their mystical horse back. They escape the poverty of a north Dublin council estate, and go “Into the West” where they find that Tír na nÓg is not just a horse.~ Wikipedia

You can read more about the film, check out a video interview with Gabriel, and enjoy pics and more videos at the Into The West Mega Movie Page.

Into The West Wallpaper by Stella
Gabriel Byrne, with Ciarán Fitzgerald and Ruaidhrí Conroy,
at the Savoy Premiere of Into The West in Dublin, 1992

So, take a trip to Ireland and enjoy Into The West. I’ve been to Galway, where some of the movie was filmed, and to the Dingle Peninsula, which is “way out west,” and I can tell you, I would rather be in those places than almost anywhere on this Earth, now or at any time. It is a land of green, blue, and sunshine (in the summertime, anyway!), with a history that calls to you, whether or not your ancestors lived there. Some pictures from my trip to Ireland in 2014:

Galway Bay
Cliffs of Moher, near Galway
Dingle
Dingle

Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you and yours and all the best on this special day!

Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit! Sláinte! heart

A Gabriel St. Patrick’s Day Wallpaper by Stella

7 Comments

  1. Thank you Stella. This is just the balm we need in these uncertain times. Lovely film. Lovely man. Stunning photos of Ireland. Beautiful tribute to the Irish on this day.

    • St. Patrick’s Day seemed to by flying below the radar for most this year–and this year we really need it!

      I actually watched INTO THE WEST that night and ate a green cupcake for dessert. It was a fun evening with lovely music, a compelling story, wonderful acting, evocative scenery, and sugar.

      A balm indeed. <3

  2. Thank you Stella! My grandparents were born and raised near Dingle (Ventry and Ballydavid) and to me it’s the most beautiful part of Ireland. Stay well!

  3. Thank you Stella! Into the West is a wonderful film! Thanks for the pictures of the Dingle Peninsula, my grandparents were born and raised there (Ventry and Ballydavid) and I think it’s the most beautiful part of Ireland.

    • You are welcome, Doreen! I love the Dingle Peninsula. We were there for 5 days and it was a spectacular part of our trip. The best memories! You are lucky to have such a strong connection to it. <3

  4. Kathy Eischeid

    My copy of Into The West came early, it was such a gift to be able to see it. Watched it 3 times now, and Autumn Hearts twice. Both are deep and entertaining, very beautiful music.. love them both.

    • So glad you were able to watch Into The West! It’s a brilliant film, isn’t it? Emotional Arithmetic is such a good book, and the film is near perfection. These are two of my favorite Gabriel films, and it sounds like they are yours, too, Kathy! <3

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