November is highly exciting for a sheer number of individuals in all age groups. It is a time when Galway’s Christmas Market returns with its dazzling lights, it is a time when Christmas music hugs our cold ears and Christmas card & present lists are written for family and friends.
There is something to do for everyone; those who love to spend time on the outside admiring the lights and wrapped in their winter scarves and those who love to spend time in their comfort of their own home with a blanket draped over their lap and the television on awaiting a choice of Christmas specials that air during winter season.
Father Ted’s Christmas Special
A widely loved Irish series that brings us to the remote island of Craggy Island, home to three priests that we love watching on our television screens; Father Ted Crilly, Father Dougal McGuire and Father Jack Hackett and their tea-mad housekeeper, Mrs Doyle. This favourite television show not only broadcasts the general episodes from the various seasons, but there is a traditional Christmas episode too. Christmas spirit wants to reach the mainland all the way from Craggy Island, lets welcome it in with open arms.
Mrs Brown’s Boys Christmas Special
Do you hear that familiar comedic laugh echoing from the kitchen? Everyone’s favourite granny is just waiting for you to sit down with a steaming cup of tea and biscuits, but as a disclaimer, be cautious with your tea as it may spill when you laugh too loud. Mrs Brown’s Boys is growing to be a general all-year classic, but during Christmas time it becomes a Christmas ritual especially with the strange Christmas trees she has perched in her sitting room every year. Do not disappoint her by not watching the Christmas special series or she’ll be hurling insults at you. That is a joke. Or is it?
The Snapper
“Are ya alright, Sharon.?” This Irish classic is one of a kind in the comedy department as Colm Meaney plays father to the Curley family, but when their 20-year-old daughter becomes pregnant, gossip circulates the neighbourhood because she refuses to name the father. This movie is Irish humour at its top level, audiences often relating to such settings and situations growing up or relating to neighbourhood gossip and circulating rumours about this family and that family.
The Commitments
Roddy Doyle is at it again with another film adaption, but audiences can expect mini concerts in this Irish classic. Colm Meaney stars in this film again as he plays father of the Rabbitte family. His son, Jimmy is in the process of setting up a band that will play ‘Dublin Soul’, but as tensions sky-rocket in his assembled band and egos grow to sizes they shouldn’t, their true colours start to show. Packed with a tonne of Irish humour and the dos and don’ts of putting together a band.
Rachel Garvey is a Co-Editor for Features for Student Independent News for the year 2023/24. She works full-time, but dedicates her free time to writing and being involved in SIN. Rachel has been a contributor to SIN since 2017.