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Into the West has been mentioned before and I'd like to agree whole-heartedly with the nod. Gabriel Byrne is fantastic as the father of two runaway Irish Rover boys. Any movie that teaches about Tír na nÓg is worthy.
Virginia's Run is a great "horse" movie with strong female protagonists (both sisters, after the older sister wises up about halfway through) and Byrne as a grief-stricken father coming out of his shell. Beautiful cinamatography taken in Nova Scotia and a great endurance horse race.