The Luck of the Irish

The Luck of the Irish

Year: 2001

Runtime: 86 mins

Language: English

Director: Paul Hoen

FamilyComedyAdventure

Leprechaun tomorrow. A teenager must battle for a gold charm to keep his family from being controlled by an evil leprechaun.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – The Luck of the Irish (2001)

Explore the full timeline and setting of The Luck of the Irish (2001). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Irish Festival, Emerald Isle potato chip factory, Kyle's junior high school, Ireland, Lake Erie shores

The story centers around an Irish festival that sparks Kyle's curiosity about his roots. The Emerald Isle potato chip factory anchors the family business and serves as a dramatic venue for the coin’s legend. Kyle’s everyday life at his junior high school provides a backdrop for friendships, rivalries, and growth. The journey ultimately travels to Ireland and returns to the shores of Lake Erie, linking heritage to home.

🍀 Irish festival 🏭 Factory setting 🏫 School life 🗺️ Ireland setting 🌊 Lake Erie shores

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:06

Main Characters – The Luck of the Irish (2001)

Meet the key characters of The Luck of the Irish (2001), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kyle Johnson (Ryan Merriman)

A 15-year-old basketball standout who lives by a lucky coin, Kyle quickly adapts to dramatic changes when the coin is stolen and his appearance shifts. He must navigate sudden shifts in identity, friendship, and family dynamics while chasing the truth about his roots. His journey from luck-driven confidence to self-reliant courage forms the emotional core of the story.

🏀 Teen athlete 🍀 Luck 🧭 Identity 🧬 Heritage

Reilly O'Reilly (Henry Gibson)

Kyle’s grandfather, founder of the Emerald Isle potato chip company, and a leprechaun who must pass as human to safeguard the family’s coin. He is wise, protective, and deeply connected to the clan’s heritage. Reilly acts as a guide and mentor, helping Kyle reclaim what was taken and understand the coin’s purpose.

🧓 Grandfather 🍀 Leprechaun lore 🛡️ Protector

Kate O'Reilly Johnson / Kate Smith (Marita Geraghty)

Kyle’s mother who initially stays tight-lipped about the family’s origins. She eventually reveals the Irish connection and the history of a 'mixed marriage', showing the complexities of heritage within a modern family. She supports Kyle while wrestling with how to honor tradition and protect her son.

👩‍👧 Mother 🗺️ Heritage 🗝️ Family secret

Seamus McTiernen (Timothy Omundson)

The antagonist leprechaun who steals the lucky coin and pursues Kyle and his allies. He embodies the darker side of folklore, using magic and deception to seize power. Seamus’s true form and escalating chase push the heroes toward a climactic confrontation.

🧙‍♂️ Villain 🍀 Leprechaun lore 🔥 Conflict

Bonnie Lopez (Alexis Lopez)

A classmate and friend who questions Kyle’s odd behavior and ultimately joins the effort to recover the coin. She provides support and willingness to take risks, helping push the pursuit forward.

👧 Friend 🕵️‍♀️ Ally 💫 Support

Russell Halloway (Glenndon Chatman)

Kyle’s best friend who sticks with him through the strange changes and the chase for the coin. Russell’s loyalty and teamwork help the group navigate challenges and reach the climax.

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Best friend 👟 Teamwork 🗺️ Adventure

O'Malley (Tom Jacobson)

A minor character encountered during the pursuit; part of the school and security environment that shapes Kyle’s journey.

🧑 Minor character 🏫 School world

Coach (Stan Ellsworth)

The school coach who represents authority and discipline in Kyle’s athletic world, grounding the sports backdrop of the story.

👔 Coach 🏃‍♂️ Sports world

History Teacher (Curley Green)

A school figure who appears in the scenes at the classroom, contributing to the everyday milieu of Kyle’s life.

🏫 Educator 📚 Classroom

Science Teacher (Sandra Shotwell)

Another school figure who participates in the science class setting where Kyle’s changes in form are observed.

🔬 Scientist 🧪 School

Mr. Lopez (Julio Arciniega)

Bonnie Lopez’s parent or a school figure in the Lopez family circle; part of the supporting cast at the festival and school settings.

🧑‍🏫 Authority 🧭 Community

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:06

Major Themes – The Luck of the Irish (2001)

Explore the central themes of The Luck of the Irish (2001), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🍀 Heritage

Heritage drives the plot as Kyle learns he is Irish and discovers a family legacy tied to a magical coin. The revelation reshapes his sense of identity from luck-focused to rooted in lineage and tradition. Folklore and family history are used to explore how culture is passed down and celebrated. The ending reinforces pride in heritage through traditional Irish dancing and song.

🎲 Luck

Kyle’s life is initially defined by a lucky coin and a belief in fortune. The coin’s theft and the ensuing chaos test that luck often isn’t enough to secure victories. The Gaelic sports showdown and the basketball wager demonstrate that skill, strategy, and courage matter as much as luck. Ultimately, Kyle learns to rely on his own efforts rather than the coin.

🔑 Family Secrets

The narrative uncovers tensions within the family history, including discussions of a 'mixed marriage' and the burden of passing down the coin. Reilly O’Reilly’s role as both patriarch and leprechaun figure reveals why the family guards its magical legacy. Secrets about lineage drive key choices and propel the quest to reclaim the coin. Resolution comes through open family dialogue and shared purpose.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 12:06

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Modern Folklore Adventures like The Luck of the Irish

Family-friendly quests where magical creatures collide with the everyday world.If you enjoyed the magical leprechaun lore in The Luck of the Irish, explore more movies like it. This collection features family comedies where ancient folklore, like fairies or mythical creatures, creates a fun, adventurous quest in a modern-day setting, all with a happy, heartwarming conclusion.

whimsicalmagicaladventurousfamily-friendlyupliftingfolklorediscoverylighthearted

Narrative Summary

The narrative typically follows an ordinary protagonist, often a young person, who stumbles upon a magical secret tied to their heritage or the world around them. This discovery leads to a quest or a series of comedic challenges involving mythical beings, culminating in a showdown that reinforces themes of family, identity, and believing in magic.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped together because they share a unique blend of whimsical tone, light emotional weight, and a plot structure that hinges on integrating folklore into a modern context. They deliver a specific kind of joyful, adventurous experience centered on magical discovery rather than high-stakes danger.

Lighthearted Heritage Quests like The Luck of the Irish

Uplifting journeys of self-discovery through cultural or family legacy.Fans of The Luck of the Irish will enjoy these similar movies about discovering one's heritage. These films follow characters on upbeat, family-friendly journeys to connect with their cultural or familial past, often involving a magical element, leading to a celebratory and happy ending about identity and belonging.

upliftingfamily-friendlyheritagediscoveryidentitycelebratoryheartwarmingoptimistic

Narrative Summary

The plot revolves around a protagonist who feels somewhat disconnected, only to have an event—like receiving a family heirloom or meeting a mystical guide—trigger an exploration of their background. This journey is the core of the film, resolving internal conflict through external adventure and culminating in a strong, positive sense of self and community.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread are united by their focus on the theme of identity explored through heritage in a positive, low-stakes way. They share a steady pacing, a light emotional weight, and a fundamentally optimistic view of family and culture, making the discovery process an adventure rather than a burden.

Unlock the Full Story of The Luck of the Irish

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Luck of the Irish in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Luck of the Irish is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Luck of the Irish Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Luck of the Irish, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Luck of the Irish Summary

The Luck of the Irish Timeline

Track the full timeline of The Luck of the Irish with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

The Luck of the Irish Timeline

The Luck of the Irish Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Luck of the Irish Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Luck of the Irish

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