Searching for some feel-good TV to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year? Then you're in luck. Hallmark has a selection of films perfect for the occasion.
These cozy and heartwarming romantic comedies take us to Ireland, a gorgeous setting that you'll love just as much as the characters at the center of the dramas — if not more. These movies are replete with stunning moss-grown castles, rolling green hillsides and enchanting forests teeming with thousands of years of tradition. They serve as a tour across the immaculate Emerald Isle, where you'll dance a jig, drink a pint or two of Guinness and bake traditional Irish soda bread with the proud and vibrant locals.
The road to Ireland is less traveled for Hallmark. Only a handful of movies have used her picturesque landscape as a backdrop. But this rarity only adds to the charm of the films. Each feels unique and offers a place to rest your eyes that isn't a small town in the U.S. Don't get me wrong — I'll never tire of the quaint, Christmassy cities in which 90% of Hallmark movies reside. Nevertheless, it's nice to take a trip abroad every now and then.
Scroll through for four Hallmark original movies that'll have you river-dancing with joy this St. Patrick's Day.
'Love's Portrait' (2022)
Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Who's in it: Aubrey Reynolds, Richard McWilliams
Channel: Hallmark Movies & Mysteries
Museum curator Lily (Aubrey Reynolds, "Christmas Tree Lane," "Hot Chocolate Holiday") encounters an oil painting of a woman who looks identical to her, so she sets out to Ireland to uncover its origin. While visiting the Emerald Isle, Lily meets a charming and handsome man named William (Richard McWilliams, "Fair City," "Vikings," "Deadly Buzz"), who runs the local post office, as well as Saoirse (Kathryn McKiernan, "Harry Wild"). The two offer to help Lily track down where the painting came from. However, it seems that William is keeping a secret from Lily about the mysterious artwork. He's an artist himself and reveals to Lily that oil paintings are one of his specialties — which raises Lily's eyebrow. "But I haven't done anything in a while," he adds. Suspicious indeed.
"Love's Portrait" was filmed in Ireland and features a gorgeous backdrop of rolling, grassy hills and moss-grown castles. If that's not enough to make you swoon, then McWilliams' charming Irish lilt should do the trick.
'As Luck Would Have It' (2021)
The Hallmark Channel
Who's in it: JoAnna Garcia Swisher, Allen Leech
Channel: The Hallmark Channel
Lindsey (JoAnna Garcia Swisher, "Sweet Magnolias," "Kevin (Probably) Saves the World") travels to Ireland, hoping to build a luxury resort. Problem is, the swath of land she's looking at is home to a gorgeous 14th century castle. To make her real estate dream come true, she must first win over the locals, who fear her resort plans could erase the centuries-old history that the castle represents.
To get on the locals' good side, she signs up for the town matchmaking festival, which sees her competing in all manner of Irish activities, such as baking Irish soda bread and visiting the picturesque Cliffs of Moher. Complicating matters, the locals gang up on Lindsey and sabotage her at every move. Luckily, she's found an ally in Brennan (Allen Leech, "Downton Abbey," "Bohemian Rhapsody"), a local whiskey distiller who has some sway with the populace as a councilman.
Lindsey soon falls in love with the town and Brennan. But can she find a way to make them love her back?
Airs on Sunday, March 3, 9 EST / 8 CST
'Forever in My Heart' (2019)
The Hallmark Channel
Who's in it: Merritt Patterson, Jack Turner
Channel: The Hallmark Channel
Jenna (Merritt Patterson, "The Royals," "The Now") and Charlie (Jack Turner, "Stitchers," "Reunion") find love in a small Irish town. Sadly, their romance withers and dies when Jenna moves back to the States to climb the corporate ladder. They reunite five years later, and old feelings resurface. But Jenna has since gotten engaged to a man named Dave.
Dave seems like a genuinely great guy, but Jenna soon realizes that Charlie may have been "the one" all along. Complicating matters, Charlie is the heir to his family's struggling hotel. It's not a job he's particularly passionate about, yet he feels obligated to keep the family business alive. Now Jenna must make a choice: Does her heart belong in Ireland with Charlie, or with Dave (and her career) in the U.S.?
'Chasing Leprechauns' (2012)
Hallmark Drama
Who's in it: Adrian Pasdar, Amy Huberman
Channel: Hallmark Drama
This one is the most comedy-oriented of the offerings on this list — and it's the most on-brand for St. Patrick's Day. The story revolves around Michael (Adrian Pasdar, "Profit," "Carlito's Way," "Desperate Housewives") as he attempts to convince an Irish town that building a factory on their land is a swell idea. However, the locals believe that leprechauns may still inhabit the woods he intends to build on. They'll only agree to the construction project if the official leprechaun expert, Sarah (Amy Huberman, "The Clinic," "Finding Joy"), confirms that none of the little guys are still bouncing around the forest. Michael's fears are realized when Sarah discovers that the creatures are indeed infesting the area.
The snow-covered woods are a beautiful setting for the blossoming romance between the two main characters — a welcome change of pace from the green hills that dominate the other films on this list. It's a fun film that doesn't take itself too seriously — and neither should you. Rather, sit back, relax and let yourself believe in both love and magic.
