Some holidays are harder to curate watching for than others. St. Patrick’s Day is one such challenge. According to Wikipedia’s ‘list of films set around St. Patrick’s day’ there are plenty of titles to choose from – some I’ve seen, many I haven’t. But there aren’t too many that I would want to make part of my yearly celebration. Clearly, this list is going to have to evolve, but for now we will be enjoying:

• Maniac Cop (1988): When you’re scared on the city streets at night, you’re in luck when you see a cop, right?
• The Fugitive (1993): I am now wondering how many cop thrillers have a St. Patrick’s day parade in the middle of them.
• Leprechaun (1993): I’d never thought I’d want to see it again, but hey, for St. Patrick’s day, let’s do this.

Now on revisit, I can’t say the above were all repeaters. But we are hurting for a selection of movies to celebrate with instead.

• Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959): Where there is a lack of holiday-centric movies, there are thematic options with pooka, shillelagh, leprechauns and more
• Leprechaun 3 (1995): this series gives plenty of selection and the bonkers Las Vegas sequel is just right.
• God Told Me To (1976): which of course, since the main character is with the NYPD has a St. Patrick’s Day parade.

If you want to keep things simple, Murder, She Wrote has a whole day’s worth of Ireland or Irish related episodes thanks to Jessica Fletcher’s extended family connections.

• “To the Last Will I Grapple With Thee” S8 E17: Jessica’s friend is hounded by an old enemy and ex-convict from Ireland who is intent on revenge. When the man winds up dead, Jessica must prove her friend did not murder the man.
• “The Wind Around the Tower” S9 E4: Jessica Fletcher is researching a new book and staying at an old estate in County Galway where it is said the ghost of a killed seaman haunts the grounds and can be heard weeping to herald an impending death.
• “A Killing in Cork” S10 E7: While visiting family friends that own a traditional blanket factory in Cork, Jessica must must help prove the innocence of a son suspected of murder.
• “Another Killing in Cork” S11 E20: Jessica’s stay at a retreat for fishermen in Cork is wrapped up in local drama over a developer wishing to buy land.
• “Nan’s Ghost” S12 E 6 & 7: Jessica arrives at the castle hotel of a friend just as the body of a missing girl is discovered. The ghost of the girl apparently haunts the castle as smugglers, murderers, and real estate developers creep around the scenes.
• Murder, She Wrote: The Celtic Riddle (2003):  Jessica Fletcher travels to Ireland for a will reading and becomes involved with the other heirs in a hunt for a secret treasure.

Check out the other Holidays in the Movies posts.