Anyone can tell you that an Irish accent in America can be heaven blessed. Maybe our ears get tired of hearing the American accents but get someone from the UK talking and suddenly English become lyrical.

I want to take a few minutes to talk about my favorite Irish actors. When it comes to the movie business it is not enough to talk pretty, you have to do the hard work of creating a real character with whom people can relate.

Let’s start with Maureen O’Hara who was BIG during the 40s and 50s. You remember her from Miracle on 34th Street and The Quiet Man. She was also in a string of bad pirate movies. But this actress always gave 100%. One of her later roles that I just love is the mother in Only The Lonely with John Candy. Great movie, great lady.

 Then there is Brendan Gleeson. His work is always interesting and fully realized. Most people might remember him as Alastor “Mad eye” Moody in the Harry Potter series. But he was also great in 28 Days Later, Gangs of New York, Cold Mountain and In Bruges.

That leads me to Colin Farrell. Beside more sex appeal than any one person should have, this guy really knows how to get into his character. Forget that mess call Alexander. Instead watch In Bruges, A Home at the End of the World, Daredevil and any clips you can get from his appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Another actor who made an memorable appearance on SNL is Liam Neeson. Ever since High Spirits - a terrible movie made watchable by his performance – I have been a big fan of this man. He can do action, he can do vulnerable. Let me just list a few movies while I day dream for a moment. Rob Roy, Love Actually, Nell, K-19:The Widowmaker, Batman Begins, Taken, The Chronicles of Narnia and the updated A-Team as Hannibal this summer.

I have to give props to Pierce Brosnan. This former James Bond could have sulked off in a corner after being dumped by the super-spy company. Instead he made an effort to take chances with his art in Mamma Mia!, The Matador, The Lightning Thief and The Ghost Writer. I say “Bravo!”

The last actress I would like to hi-light is a relative newcomer – Saoirise Ronan who is only 16 years old. She was incredible in Atonement and put in a good performance in City of Ember. The Lovely Bones is her latest outing and she will star with Colin Farrell in The Way Back later this year.

I know there are a few I have missed but my brain cannot pull up those other names right now. Share your favorite Irish actors and actresses here and we can keep a great list going

Karyn Bowman lives in Kankakee County with her outdoor writer husband and four children. Become friends with Karyn on Facebook or send an e-mail to momgoestothemovies@sbcglobal.net.