Why not spend the time around St. Patrick’s Day learning more about Irish culture through videos from and about the Emerald Isle? Hoopla videos (available online with your library card) can help.

If you’re a fan of Chris O’Dowd, you may enjoy Moone Boy – a fun series about a boy and his imaginary friend (played by O’Dowd).  Their relationship reminds me a little of Calvin and Hobbs in the way that sometimes the imaginary friend encourages Martin Moone to do things that land him in trouble – and sometimes the friend is the voice of reason that the know-it-all boy won’t listen to.

The Irish actress Amy Huberman appears in two series that are available on Hoopla.Finding Joy follows Joy Morris as she negotiates life after breaking up with her boyfriend and building her career.  Sort of an Irish Bridget Jones in that she’s an “everywoman” dealing with every-day situations that occasionally take a comic twist.  Huberman also stars in the legal drama Striking Out, about a young lawyer who starts her own firm after leaving a large company (where she was engaged to the son of a senior partner).

If you only know Conleth Hill’s work from Game of Thrones, be prepared to see a very different character in small-town constable PJ (Holding), who struggles with an eating disorder as he also finds himself investigating a serious crime in his hometown.

And for ruggedly beautiful scenery and magical realism, watching The Secret of Roan Innish is a lovely way to spend an evening (or a stormy afternoon).

These are but a few of the offerings on Hoopla that highlight Ireland and Irish Culture. I’m looking forward to investigating more this month!

Slán,

Rosemarie Gatzek
Director, Irvington Public Library, Guiteau Foundation