The first paragraph of Elizabeth O'Connor's novel 'The Irishman' reads: "The boy walked alone, following the dusty path from the river, his lips drawn into a silent whistle, his bare feet scuffing at the loose soil, sending it in soft brown billows in front of him. He passed the joss-house and looked sideways, barely turning his head. Sometimes, if no one was about, he and his mates would slide stealthily in the door to look at the strange, doll-like gods that sat with fat complacence upon the broad altar. To stretch tentative fingers towards the rich gold leaf. To watch the changing colors in the facets of the long glass beads that swayed and glinted with every breath of air. But today Michael was aware of eyes that watched him intently, of a smooth oriental face - unsmiling. He hurried on, his whistle suddenly shrill, his head flung defiantly high."
This film's source novel 'The Irishman' by Elizabeth O'Connor won the Australian Miles Franklin Award for Literature in 1960.
The Irishman (1978)'s wide release in Australia was on 17 March 1978 which is St Patrick's Day, an Irish festival day associated with Ireland. The film had been completed late in 1977 but its main Australian released was delayed and scheduled for this special St Patrick's Day opening.
This movie starring Bryan Brown forms part of Brown's early career period in the Australian Cinema of the mid to late 1970s.