Song of the Sea

Ben (Rawle) loves the stories his mother, Bronagh (Hannigan), tells and the songs she sings to him.  He is devastated when he looses her, and blames his baby sister Saoirse (O'Connell).  Six years later, their father Conor (Gleeson) is consumed by his grief, and Saoirse does not speak.  On her 6th birthday, Saoirse discovers that she turns into a seal when she goes into the sea.

Conor sends the children to live with Granny (Flanagan) for their protection.  But the children are miserable and decide to find a way home.  Along the way, they learn that Saoirse is the key to saving the spirit world and others like her.


I loved director Tomm Moore's animated feature film The Secret of Kells and was overjoyed to hear he was making another animated film.  The story is based on the Celtic myth of selkies; selkies are found in Irish, Scottish, and Faroese folktales.

Like The Secret of Kells, the animation is beautiful.  The characters come alive with movement, and the score is beautiful.  Lisa Hannigan, who voices Bronagh, is an Irish singer with a beautiful voice.  She performs most of the songs on the soundtrack.  The story is engaging and the voice casting is excellent, each actor lends so much to the performance.

A wonderful film that will stay with you long after it ends.

Song of the Sea (2014) 93 minutes
Director: Tomm Moore
Starring: David Rawle as Ben
Brendan Gleeson as Conor / Mac Lir
Lisa Hannigan as Bronagh
Fionnula Flanagan as Granny / Macha
Lucy O'Connell as Saoirse