N Ireland books/films for 13 & 10yr olds

[Wigeon]

We’re going to Northern Ireland for the first time with our 10 and 13 yr olds, and thought it would be good to read a book or watch some films about N Ireland or set there.

Pretty much all films I can find are about The Troubles and are rated 15. I’d love to find things which do explain about N Irish history & the Troubles to watch/read with them, but in an age appropriate way, and some things which aren’t about the Troubles.

I know various bits of Game of Thrones were filmed there, but not that keen on getting into that just for this trip!

Any ideas?

It’s almost impossible to find films and books that don’t reference the troubles. I’m not sure how age appropriate but Derry Girls is the best thing I’ve ever seen to relate to growing up as a teenage girl in Northern Ireland.
Game of Thrones is very violent and while filmed there, it’s not ‘set’ there so many not worth it.
You’ll have a great time!

You could also try looking at some of these

www.northernirelandscreen.co.uk/made-in-northern-ireland-production-catalogue/

The across the barricades books are great but again a lot of references to the troubles. The Narnia books are based on a lot of the scenery/ landmarks of Northern Ireland - Cair Paravel is supposedly based on Dunluce Castle in Antrim.

There's a nice little film called Zoo which is the story of an elephant from Belfast zoo being broken out so it wouldn't be killed during the second world war.

There's also one called mickybo and me which is about two boys one Catholic one protestant during the seventies. I thi k there's quite a lot of the f word though and it is a 15.

Sorry it looks like I didn't read your op too well and see you e already found they are mostly fifteens.

Zoo isn't though!

Thanks for ideas, will definitely investigate. I’d really like a book or film which does talk about the Troubles, as I think it’s really important for the DC to understand that history, but without traumatising the 10 yr old in particular by showing her a violent and distressing film. Obviously the point is that it was a violent and very distressing time for people in N Ireland, but there must be a way of teaching children about it which is age appropriate. I’ve started explaining the basics to them, but a book/film can really bring something to life too.

Derry Girls is a great idea - Common Sense media says adults think it’s 14+ and children think 12+…! Maybe one for us and the 13 yr old to watch.

A show called Hope Street was recently on the BBC. It's a bit cheesy but filmed in NI and isn't about 'the Troubles'. Countryfile actually does some good bits on the NI countryside, there are a couple of episodes about County Down at the moment on iPlayer. The nun from Derry Girls (Siobhan McSweeny) did a travel show on Channel 4 that might still be available online. It depends what you're looking for really. To be honest, let them discover NI for themselves. It's a great place but sometimes people go with preconceived ideas.

Zoo is a great recommendation. A lovely film, which just happens to be in NI, without the "troubles" aspect. Though some scenes of the blitz etc did affect my sensitive DS - partly though as we are from the area and he knew his Great Granny had grown up in the street below the zoo.

Coming from another angle, do you need to tell you DC about the troubles before they come? NI is trying hard (mostly) to move on, it may frighten them or give them preconceptions.
Once here there are the usual City Bus Tours which delve into the past in a semi lightweight way. The black taxi tours are meant to be great for this too (although I've never taken one, just the bus)

There's a good exhibit at the Ulster Museum in Stranmillis about the troubles, along with other great exhibits about Irish and NI history.

Then of course there is the Titanic museum, why we want to be famous for a boat that sank is beyond me, but at least it gives us something over killing each other for 30+ years. Though the museum is v good

Also the natural coastline is truly breathtaking

Oh on the coastline... if you are visiting the giants causeway you could read up about the legend of fionn mccool. Or maybe have a look at some books about Irish mythology, those are usually interesting and my DC really like them

Thanks very much - Hope St looks good, will investigate other things too.

I do definitely want to educate them, and me, about the post 1968 history in advance - it’s part of my county’s history (I’m English) and I think we (my family) should all know more. But I think it’ll be clear to the DC, and us, when we go that there’s so much more to modern N Ireland.

We are indeed visiting the north coast, really looking forward to it!

I’m from NI and have just taken my English 13 and 11 year olds to see Belfast, the new Branagh film. I thought it was a really good intro to Northern Ireland in lots of ways, including quite a good way to get a child’s-eye view of the Troubles.

On Midnight Beach is a cracking book set in the geographical north of Ireland, it is available as an audiobook on Spotify for free, I would highly recommend! I really enjoyed it!