In the past decade or so, the Irish film industry has been thriving.

So, instead of going out and drinking green beer today, why not check out an Irish movie. I've selected a few that I think are the best and give a well-rounded look at Irish life today and in the past. There's nary a leprechaun or shamrock to be found in the bunch.

· "This is My Father'' (1998). James Caan plays an American teacher who discovers, after finding old photographs in his mother's belongings, that he was never told the truth about his father. He travels to Ireland, and the film flashes back to discover what really happened when his parents fell in love 50 years earlier. This small film is profoundly moving, and Aidan Quinn is wonderful as the father who is too kind for his own good.

· "Magdalene Sisters'' (2002). This harrowing movie about women who were imprisoned by the Catholic Church and forced to work in laundries for such crimes as getting pregnant, flirting and being raped, is based on an ugly and long-running reality in Ireland. This movie is angry but also quite moving as it explores how the powerful Catholic Church distorted its faith and ruined lives.

· "The Secret of Roan Inish'' (1994). Ten-year-old Fiona visits her grandparents in a small fishing village and discovers the myth of the selkie, a seal that becomes human. The myth becomes real as Fiona begins to wonder if her dead brother is actually living with the seals. John Sayles directed this charming yet haunting film.

· "Waking Ned Devine'' (1998). When Ned Devine dies of shock after discovering he's won a huge lottery, his friends decide that Ned would have wanted them to have his money, so they pretend he's still alive. Of course, things get complicated when the lottery commissioner arrives. This comedy oozes charm.

· "Michael Collins'' (1996). Liam Neeson stars as Collins, who worked with the Irish Republican Army to gain independence for Ireland and brokered the controversial decision to keep Northern Ireland in British hands, which led to civil war and Collins' own death. A bit lumbering, but it does offer an interesting history lesson.

· "The Commitments'' (1991). A kid brings a bunch of losers together to form a band and bring soul music back to Ireland. (As he'll tell anyone who'll listen, the Irish are the blacks of Europe.) It's gritty, hilarious and it's got a kickin' soundtrack.

This was the first of a trilogy of films based on the work of writer Roddy Doyle. "The Snapper'' is about a young woman who gets pregnant and has to deal with her loud and pushy family. "The Van'' is about two men who buy a fish and chips van. All explore working-class life in Ireland, and all star the terrific Colm Meaney.

· "My Left Foot'' (1989). Daniel Day Lewis is extraordinary as Christy Brown, who is born with cerebral palsy into a poor Irish family. His mother, played by Brenda Fricker, sees that he's got the soul of an artist and makes sure her cantankerous son has the chance to live a full life.

Jane Holahan is a New Era staff writer. Her column appears every Wednesday.

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