How Different Sides of Irish Culture are Portrayed in Entertainment
It’s not uncommon that the entertainment we consume is set in or evokes Irish culture. Rich in history and tradition, it’s easy to see why we often find it as the background setting of films, games and books, to name a few. Today, we’re exploring how different mediums use different slices of Irish culture to inform and enrich their output, be it mythology-stacked video games, films set in Ireland, or Irish-themed casino slots.
Video Games and Irish Mythology
While Ireland has been featured as a setting for some video games, the most popular way games have made a nod to Irish culture is through depictions of traditional mythology.
Folklore, a video game set in an Irish village called Doolin, was praised for its respectful and creative depiction of Irish mythology, which ranged from the characters’ Irish-inspired names to the splendidly detailed animation and graphics. Another example is Wrath of the Druids, a famous content extension package to Assassin's Creed: Valhalla. It was released two years ago to excellent reviews, with PC Gamer highlighting its portrait of pagans and intrigue. The game was another case of authenticity in Irish cultural representation and, once again, it did a great job tapping into the country’s mythology and lore.
Gambling With the Luck of the Irish
It doesn’t come as a surprise that, in the gambling world, it’s the idea that Irish culture is associated with luck that understandably comes up the most. The phrase “Luck of the Irish”, which is thought to have originated in 19th-century America, is universally understood as an optimistic concept.
As such, it is still used today and fits naturally in games like slots that are based on chance and not just skill. At Buzz Bingo, for instance, you can find slots with names such as Luck O’ The Irish, Leprechaun’s Luck and Rainbow’s Gold, which include some of the dominant motifs in gambling when it comes to Irish culture such as rainbows, gold, leprechauns and four-leaf clovers, just to name a few. Green is also associated with luck, so a lot of casino websites choose to use this colour in line with themes of luck and good fortune.
Irish Scenery on the Big Screen
The rom-com genre has seen a particularly large number of films take advantage of Ireland’s romantic and whimsical scenery and set their stories in this country. Older hits like the drama-comedy The Quiet Man feature world-famous landmarks such as the Cliffs of Moher and Ashford Castle, respectively. Both absolute cult classics, these iconic love stories unfold over the backdrop of beautiful Irish locations, followed by other early-2000s romantic comedies like Leap Year and PS. I Love You.
But romantic comedies aren’t the only genre taking advantage of Ireland’s breathtaking settings. More recently, a good example was The Banshees of Inisherin, a black tragicomedy set on a fictional Irish island. The film was critically acclaimed for its realistic depiction of Irish scenery and was named by the National Board of Review as one of the Top Ten Films of 2022.
Irish themes and motifs can be found all over entertainment and culture. Besides the examples we’ve mentioned, St Patrick’s Day is of course another staple of Irish culture that’s often seen in films and TV shows and celebrated around the world. Much like other cultures whose myths and fables are still passed around, it’s interesting to see how we, as a society, have kept Ireland’s history and culture alive through our creative output.
