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An Irish Goodbye (2022) movie poster

Timeline

An Irish Goodbye (2022) Timeline Explained – Every Event in Order

Release, runtime and language
2022 · 23 mins · English
Echo score 82
Directed by
Tom Berkeley, Ross White
Starring
Seamus O'Hara, Michelle Fairley, James Martin, Paddy Jenkins

In rural Northern Ireland, following the untimely death of their mother, a young man with Down syndrome and his estranged brother discover her unfulfilled bucket list.

On this page (5)
  1. 1 Events in order (14)
  2. 2 Timeline questions answered
  3. 3 Movie threads
  4. 4 Movies like An Irish Goodbye
  5. 5 Every angle

14 events in order · contains spoilers

An Irish Goodbye Timeline: Events in Chronological Order

Every key event of An Irish Goodbye (2022) in order, scene by scene, with when and where it takes place. Use it to untangle flashbacks, time jumps and parallel storylines, to refresh your memory before the sequel or to find the exact scene you are thinking of.

  1. Turlough returns to Glenmornan after Grainne's death

    Following Grainne's death, Turlough travels back from London to the family farm to decide what to do with the property and Lorcan. Lorcan refuses to leave, insisting they stay and work through Grainne's wishes. The return sets the stage for the 100-wish quest and the brothers' rekindled but fragile bond.

    When
    immediately after Grainne's death
    Where
    Glenmornan family farm
  2. Lorcan recalls a list from Father O'Shea

    Lorcan explains that the local priest allegedly gave him a list of things Grainne wanted to do before she died. Turlough questions the list's legitimacy and its impact on their future. The idea of completing Grainne's wishes becomes central to their plans.

    When
    soon after Turlough's return
    Where
    Glenmornan farm
  3. Turlough questions the list and their future

    Turlough insists the list is useless and pushes Lorcan to reconsider staying. A heated confrontation arises about whether Lorcan should take care of the farm or move on. The brothers' bond begins to strain under the weight of constant tension.

    When
    that day
    Where
    Farmhouse living room
  4. Next morning: Lorcan won't leave until 100 wishes are finished

    The morning after the confrontation, Lorcan refuses to be driven away until they have completed all 100 wishes. He proposes finishing Grainne's wishes as a way to honor her memory and their family. Turlough reluctantly agrees, opening the door to a shared, if unconventional, healing process.

    When
    the next morning
    Where
    Farmhouse kitchen
  5. Grainne's urn becomes a stand-in to fulfill wishes

    As they work through the list, they use Grainne's urn as a stand-in for activities, turning grief into playful tasks. They model, pose, and improvise scenes to fulfill the wishes, rekindling their bond along the way. The process keeps Grainne's memory central to their efforts.

    When
    over the next days
    Where
    Glenmornan farm studio/yard
  6. First wish: modelling for a painting

    The brothers arrange a scene to model for a painting, with the urn standing in for Grainne. They share memories of their mother and the reasons behind the list, trying to honor her wishes. The moment deepens their connection as siblings and collaborators.

    When
    during the early phase of the 100-wish attempt
    Where
    Farm living area / outdoor studio
  7. Second wish: flying with balloons

    They lift off with balloons, chasing the sense of lightness Grainne wanted. The buoyant activity becomes a rare moment of laughter and trust between the brothers. The activity marks a turning point toward reconciliation.

    When
    during the early phase
    Where
    Open field near the farm
  8. Third wish: they smoke marijuana

    To ease tensions and connect with Grainne's memory, they share marijuana, allowing vulnerability and memories to surface. The moment blurs boundaries between grief and play, helping them understand each other better. The list’s purpose feels both intimate and fragile.

    When
    during the later part of the day
    Where
    Barn/yard area
  9. The urn is broken during the 99th wish: skydiving

    Lorcan decides on skydiving to fulfill the 99th wish, but in the process, he breaks Grainne's urn. Turlough is furious, interpreting the break as a betrayal of trust and decides to put the farm up for sale. The incident marks a major rupture in their fragile agreement.

    When
    when attempting the 99th wish
    Where
    Farm property
  10. Father O'Shea reveals he never gave the list

    Seeking answers, Turlough learns from Father O'Shea that he never gave Lorcan a list. The revelation unsettles the brothers and shifts blame away from Lorcan. It also clarifies that Grainne's wishes may be a personal memory rather than a formal plan.

    When
    shortly after the urn incident
    Where
    Farm / parish meeting
  11. Deciding to finish the list by going to space

    With the truth revealed, Turlough suggests completing the list by going to space with Lorcan. The plan reframes their pursuit from memory-bound tasks to a grand gesture that honors Grainne's legacy. The brothers agree to pursue this audacious finale.

    When
    soon after the revelation
    Where
    Glenmornan countryside
  12. Space finale: sending Grainne's ashes with fireworks

    They send Grainne's ashes into the sky with fireworks, then rest by a bonfire as the night ends. The act feels like a tribute and a culmination of their reconciliation. The ashes' ascent marks a symbolic passing of Grainne's presence to the brothers' future.

    When
    night of the space finale
    Where
    Glenmornan countryside, by a bonfire
  13. 101st wish: become best friends again and Lorcan's future choice

    Lorcan adds a 101st item: that he and Turlough become best friends again, and that Turlough will leave London to stay and take care of the farm. The proposal signals a possible new life and shared responsibility. It leaves the future open, with both brothers negotiating what comes next.

    When
    after the ashes launch
    Where
    By the bonfire
  14. Turlough considers staying on the farm

    Turlough agrees to consider staying on the family farm, delaying his departure from London and weighing the responsibilities of family. The choice marks a shift from a simple sale to a potential long-term commitment. The film ends on a note of hopeful possibility for their future.

    When
    closing moments
    Where
    Glenmornan farm

Last updated: March 05, 2026 at 18:39

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Timeline questions answered

An Irish Goodbye Timeline Explained: Your Questions Answered

When does it happen, and why in that order? The questions people ask about the chronology of An Irish Goodbye (2022): time jumps, flashbacks, cause and effect between scenes and the correct order of events, each answered with spoilers.

Q1

Why does Turlough want to sell the family farm?

Turlough wants to sell the farm because he lives in London and is estranged from his brother Lorcan. After their mother Grainne dies, he returns to Glenmornan with the plan to sell the property and move Lorcan to live with their aunt, believing Lorcan would be better cared for elsewhere.

Foreshadowing: Early scenes show Turlough's distance from family life and his readiness to make practical decisions without considering Lorcan's feelings.

  • turlough
  • farm
  • selling
  • lorcan
  • aunt
  • london
Q2

Why does Lorcan refuse to leave the farm?

Lorcan refuses to leave because he feels responsible for the family farm and wants to honor his mother's memory by staying and caring for the land. He believes he belongs there and can contribute to maintaining the property.

Foreshadowing: Lorcan's attachment to the farm is established when he insists he should stay and help care for the land rather than be moved away.

  • lorcan
  • farm
  • stay
  • mother
  • care
  • land
Q3

Where did Lorcan get the bucket list?

Lorcan claims the local priest Father O'Shea gave him the list of things Grainne wanted to do before she died. However, Father O'Shea later reveals he never actually gave Lorcan any list, making the origin of the 100 wishes ambiguous.

Foreshadowing: Turlough questions the list's legitimacy early on, but Lorcan presents it as something concrete from the priest.

  • bucket list
  • father o'shea
  • lorcan
  • priest
  • grainne
Q4

Why does Lorcan break the urn?

Lorcan breaks Grainne's urn while attempting the 99th wish on the list, which is skydiving. During the skydiving activity, the urn falls and shatters, causing a major conflict with Turlough.

Foreshadowing: The use of the urn for increasingly dangerous activities like skydiving sets up the moment where it inevitably breaks.

  • urn
  • broken
  • skydiving
  • lorcan
  • grainne
  • ashes
Q5

Why does Turlough get so angry when the urn breaks?

Turlough is furious because he sees the broken urn as a sign of Lorcan's irresponsibility and lack of respect for their mother's memory. The incident makes him fear that Lorcan cannot be trusted to care for the farm, reinforcing his decision to sell the property.

Foreshadowing: Turlough's anger stems from his underlying concern about Lorcan's ability to manage the farm and his own guilt about leaving.

  • turlough
  • angry
  • urn
  • broken
  • trust
  • lorcan
Q6

What does Father O'Shea reveal about the bucket list?

Father O'Shea reveals that he never gave Lorcan a bucket list. This shocking revelation means the list of 100 wishes was either something Lorcan created himself or something he imagined, rather than an actual list from Grainne.

Foreshadowing: Turlough's earlier skepticism about the list's authenticity is confirmed when the priest admits he never provided it.

  • father o'shea
  • bucket list
  • reveal
  • priest
  • never gave list
Q7

Why do the brothers send Grainne's ashes into the sky with fireworks?

The brothers send Grainne's ashes into the night sky with fireworks as their final gesture to complete the 100th wish: going to space. This symbolic act serves as a tribute to Grainne and represents her memory rising up, bringing closure to their grief journey.

Foreshadowing: The 100th wish was always intended to be going to space, which they fulfill by launching the ashes into the night sky.

  • ashes
  • fireworks
  • space
  • grainne
  • sky
  • tribute
Q8

What is the 101st wish that Lorcan adds?

Lorcan adds a 101st wish that he and Turlough become best friends again and that Turlough will leave London to stay and help care for the family farm. This represents his hope for reconciliation and their shared future.

Foreshadowing: The 101st wish reflects the brothers' rekindled bond throughout the film and Lorcan's desire for Turlough to stay.

  • 101st wish
  • best friends
  • farm
  • lorcan
  • turlough
  • stay
Q9

Does Turlough stay on the farm at the end?

Turlough agrees to consider staying on the family farm, leaving the door open for a new path that blends their bond, duty, and home. He does not commit definitively but indicates he will think about remaining to help care for the farm.

Foreshadowing: The film ends with Turlough's changed attitude toward his brother and the farm, showing growth from his original plan to sell.

  • turlough
  • stay
  • farm
  • ending
  • london
  • consider
Q10

Why does completing the bucket list matter to the brothers?

The bucket list matters because it gives the brothers a purpose during their grief and a way to reconnect. Working through the 100 wishes together helps Turlough and Lorcan rediscover their bond as siblings, even though the list's origin was questionable.

Foreshadowing: The list serves as a framework for the brothers to spend time together and process their mother's death.

  • bucket list
  • brothers
  • grief
  • reconnect
  • wishes
  • together

Movie threads

More Movies Like An Irish Goodbye, by Mood & Story

Curated lists built around what makes An Irish Goodbye tick: the same mood, the same kind of story or the same emotional payoff. Each list explains why these movies belong together.

Movies about grief and family like An Irish Goodbye

Stories of family bonds tested and healed by loss in the quiet countryside. A collection of tender dramas where characters navigate loss and find reconciliation, similar to the heartfelt journey in An Irish Goodbye. If you liked the film's mix of rural setting, brotherly bond, and bittersweet emotion, you'll find more stories here.

  • grieving
  • heartwarming
  • melancholic
  • nostalgic
  • reflective
  • tender
  • Tone: bittersweet, melancholic, hopeful
  • Pacing: steady, deliberate
Why these movies?

The story pattern: These narratives typically follow characters returning to a family home after a death, forcing them to confront past estrangements. A discovered item, like a bucket list or letter, provides a structure for their shared journey, guiding them through grief toward a renewed sense of family and purpose.

Why they belong together: Movies in this thread share a focus on the emotional weight of loss balanced by the healing power of familial connection. They feature a steady, character-driven pace, bittersweet tone, and rural settings that amplify the intimate, reflective mood.

Movies with a bucket list quest like An Irish Goodbye

Characters find purpose and connection by fulfilling a final wish from beyond the grave. Discover films where characters honor a loved one by completing a posthumous bucket list, just like in An Irish Goodbye. If you enjoyed the blend of poignant loss and uplifting purpose, these similar narrative-driven stories are for you.

  • heartwarming
  • uplifting
  • reflective
  • nostalgic
  • quest
  • grief
  • Tone: bittersweet, uplifting, reflective
  • Pacing: steady, purposeful
Why these movies?

The story pattern: The plot is driven by the discovery and gradual completion of tasks set by a deceased character. This structured quest provides a linear progression, with each item offering moments of humor, reflection, or challenge that directly facilitate character growth and emotional healing for those left behind.

Why they belong together: They are grouped by their shared plot mechanism, which creates a predictable but emotionally satisfying arc from sadness to hope. The tone is consistently bittersweet, with a steady pace that allows for both poignant and lightly humorous moments.

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Movies Like An Irish Goodbye

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Every angle

An Irish Goodbye (2022) Explained: Plot, Timeline & Characters

Everything about An Irish Goodbye in one place: what happens in the plot summary, the timeline in chronological order, the characters and meaning and a spoiler-free summary. What's After the Movie adds the cast, box office and post-credit scenes.

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