Wilmette Theatre To Host Preview Party For Annual Irish Film Festival

WILMETTE, IL — Wilmette Theatre will host a preview party Aug. 17 for Mike Houlihan’s annual Irish film festival, which is set to return to the village Sept. 25-27.

Houlihan, actor, journalist and founder of Hibernian Media and Hibernian Radio, is bringing the 12th annual festival back to Wilmette for its fifth anniversary locally.

The September event is scheduled for Sept. 25, 26 and 27 at the Wilmette Theatre with three films, including "Dreaming of the Quiet Man." The film is described as Se Merry Doyle’s celebration of the film "The Quiet Man" and its director John Ford.

The other two Irish films have not yet been announced for this year's event.

Before that festival weekend, Houlihan will host an Aug. 17 event at the Wilmette Theatre to announce this season’s lineup. The event will include a screening of Houlihan's documentary "Our Irish Cousins," a project that introduced Houlihan to Ireland. The announcement also says the film received three stars from review site RogerEbert.com.

“Although those of Irish descent are clearly the target audience for 'Our Irish Cousins,' a good part of the secret to its success is that you don't have to be from the Emerald Isle to appreciate it," RogerEbert.com said of the film. "No matter where you come from or how much corned beef you've consumed in your lifetime, you'll most likely find that Houlihan's observations about the importance of examining and corning to terms with one's heritage still ring true.”

Tickets for the party are listed at $100, and are tax deductible. The ticket price also covers the film screening, open bar and appetizers, plus a raffle and silent auction. The announcement says checks can be made payable to Hibernian Media NFP and mailed to PO Box 5650, River Forest, IL 60305.