Why settle for green beer and plastic shamrocks when you could dive deep into authentic Irish culture this St. Patrick’s Day? Ireland has produced some phenomenal television that showcases everything from rural village life to gritty Dublin streets, historical dramas to side-splitting comedies. Here’s a countdown of ten outstanding Irish TV shows that will transport you to the Emerald Isle faster than you can say “sláinte!”
1. “Derry Girls” (2018-2022)
This hilarious coming-of-age comedy follows a group of teenagers attending a Catholic girls’ school in Derry (Londonderry) during the final years of The Troubles in the 1990s. Creator Lisa McGee draws on her own experiences growing up in Northern Ireland to craft a show that balances laugh-out-loud comedy with poignant moments that capture life against the backdrop of political conflict.
What makes “Derry Girls” special is how it portrays everyday teenage concerns—crushes, exams, friendship drama—alongside extraordinary circumstances like military checkpoints and peace process developments. The colorful characters, including the scene-stealing Sister Michael, deliver quotable lines with perfect comic timing in their distinctive Northern Irish accents.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: It offers insights into Northern Ireland’s recent history through an accessible, humorous lens while celebrating Irish resilience and the absurdity of teenage life.
Where to watch: Netflix
2. “Normal People” (2020)
Based on Sally Rooney’s acclaimed novel, this intimate drama follows the complex relationship between Connell and Marianne from their school days in County Sligo through their university years at Trinity College Dublin. With extraordinary performances from Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones, the series captures the intensity of first love and the impact of class differences in contemporary Ireland.
The show received international acclaim for its nuanced portrayal of young adult relationships, mental health struggles, and its frank approach to intimacy. It also serves as a visual tour of Ireland, from the rugged western coastline to the elegant Georgian architecture of Dublin.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: It presents a contemporary vision of Ireland that challenges stereotypes, showing both rural and urban aspects of modern Irish life.
Where to watch: Hulu
3. “Father Ted” (1995-1998)
This classic sitcom about three priests exiled to Craggy Island, a remote fictional location off Ireland’s west coast, has achieved cult status for good reason. The misadventures of the ambitious but inept Father Ted Crilly, the simple Father Dougal McGuire, and the perpetually drunk and foul-tempered Father Jack Hackett created some of television’s most memorable comic moments.
Written by Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, “Father Ted” gently satirizes Irish Catholicism and rural Irish life with surreal humor and unforgettable catchphrases. Despite running for only three seasons, its influence on Irish comedy remains immense.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: Its affectionate parody of Irish Catholicism and rural life reveals much about Irish cultural attitudes and humor.
Where to watch: Channel 4 (UK), All 4, BritBox
4. “Love/Hate” (2010-2014)
For those who prefer their television gritty and intense, “Love/Hate” delivers a unflinching look at Dublin’s criminal underworld. Following gangster Darren Treacy (Robert Sheehan) and his associates, the series portrays the brutal reality of drug crime, gang wars, and police investigations in contemporary Ireland.
The show was groundbreaking in its departure from romanticized versions of Ireland, instead presenting a stark urban environment affected by real social issues. Its authenticity and powerful performances made it a cultural phenomenon in Ireland, sparking national conversations about crime and justice.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: It offers a counterpoint to pastoral stereotypes of Ireland, showing the complex reality of urban Irish life and social challenges.
Where to watch: RTÉ Player (Ireland), Amazon Prime (select regions)
5. “The Fall” (2013-2016)
Set in Belfast, Northern Ireland, this psychological thriller stars Gillian Anderson as Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, who is brought in to catch a serial killer (Jamie Dornan) targeting young professional women. The cat-and-mouse game between these two characters unfolds against the distinctive backdrop of post-Troubles Belfast.
Beyond its gripping plot, “The Fall” explores themes of gender, power, and the lingering effects of Northern Ireland’s political tensions on its society and police force. The series showcases Belfast as a modern, complex city still processing its troubled past.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: It highlights Northern Ireland’s unique position in Irish culture and history while delivering a sophisticated crime drama.
Where to watch: Netflix, Amazon Prime
6. “Moone Boy” (2012-2015)
Created by and starring Chris O’Dowd, this charming comedy follows the adventures of 12-year-old Martin Moone and his imaginary friend Sean (O’Dowd) in the small town of Boyle, County Roscommon in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Based on O’Dowd’s own childhood, the show captures the quirks of small-town Irish life with warmth and humor.
With its distinctive visual style, including animated sequences and fantasy elements, “Moone Boy” delivers a nostalgic yet unsentimental portrait of Irish childhood. The series touches on historical events like the 1990 World Cup and local traditions while maintaining its focus on Martin’s imaginative world.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: It offers a cheerful, authentic glimpse into Irish family life and childhood with genuine cultural specificity.
Where to watch: Hulu, Amazon Prime
7. “Strumpet City” (1980)
This historical drama based on James Plunkett’s novel depicts Dublin during the tumultuous period from 1907 to 1914, culminating in the 1913 Dublin Lockout—one of Ireland’s most significant labor disputes. With an all-star Irish cast including Peter O’Toole and Cyril Cusack, the series portrays the harsh living conditions of Dublin’s tenements and the struggle for workers’ rights.
Though older than other entries on this list, “Strumpet City” remains essential viewing for its powerful depiction of class conflict and social injustice in pre-independence Ireland. The seven-part series vividly recreates a crucial period in Irish history that shaped the nation’s future.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: It provides historical context for understanding Ireland’s social development and labor movement.
Where to watch: RTÉ Player (Ireland), occasionally on YouTube
8. “The Young Offenders” (2018-present)
Based on the hit film of the same name, this comedy follows the misadventures of best friends Conor and Jock, two Cork teenagers with a talent for getting into trouble. Their distinctive Cork accents and tracksuit-clad appearance have made them iconic characters in recent Irish television.
The series balances absurd humor with surprisingly touching moments as the boys navigate poverty, family challenges, and their own limited prospects with unfailing loyalty to each other. It captures the distinctive culture and dialect of Cork City while addressing universal themes of friendship and adolescence.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: It showcases Ireland beyond Dublin, highlighting regional differences in accent, culture, and humor.
Where to watch: BBC iPlayer, Netflix
9. “Rebellion” (2016) and “Resistance” (2019)
This historical drama series chronicles the Easter Rising of 1916 and the subsequent Irish War of Independence through the experiences of fictional characters caught up in revolutionary events. With high production values and attention to historical detail, the shows bring pivotal moments in Ireland’s fight for independence to dramatic life.
By focusing on various perspectives—including women revolutionaries, British soldiers, and civilians—these series offer a nuanced view of the complex historical events that led to Irish independence. They provide valuable context for understanding modern Irish identity and politics.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: They illuminate the historical struggles that shaped modern Ireland and that continue to be commemorated in Irish culture.
Where to watch: Netflix
10. “Hardy Bucks” (2009-2018)
Beginning as a YouTube mockumentary before being picked up by RTÉ, “Hardy Bucks” follows the lives of a group of slackers in the fictional town of Castletown in County Mayo. Led by the opportunistic Eddie Durkan, these small-town chancers pursue various schemes to make money and impress women, usually with disastrous results.
The show’s distinctive rural Irish humor, colorful characters, and unforgettable slang have made it a cult favorite. While often compared to “Trailer Park Boys,” “Hardy Bucks” has a uniquely Irish perspective on small-town life, economic limitations, and male friendship.
Why it’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day: It offers an unfiltered, hilarious look at contemporary rural Irish life that’s worlds away from tourist brochures.
Where to watch: Netflix, RTÉ Player (Ireland)
Honorable Mentions:
- “Mrs. Brown’s Boys” (2011-present) – The divisive but hugely popular comedy starring Brendan O’Carroll as the foul-mouthed matriarch Agnes Brown
- “Killinaskully” (2003-2008) – Pat Shortt’s beloved comedy set in a fictional rural village full of eccentric characters
- “Dublin Murders” (2019) – A dark psychological thriller based on Tana French’s Dublin Murder Squad novels
- “Raw” (2008-2013) – Drama following the staff of a high-pressure Dublin restaurant
- “Bachelors Walk” (2001-2003) – Comedy-drama about three single men sharing an apartment in Dublin
These shows offer far more authentic insights into Irish culture, history, and humor than any parade or pub decoration. From historical dramas that illuminate Ireland’s revolutionary past to comedies that capture its unique sense of humor, these series showcase the diversity and complexity of Irish experiences across different regions and eras.
So this St. Patrick’s Day, skip the green-tinted festivities for an evening and immerse yourself in these quintessentially Irish stories. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation of the real Ireland—its struggles, its humor, its resilience, and its distinctive perspective on life. Éire go Brách!
Author: jonathan
Jonathan is the publisher of Irishtopia.net, Anglotopia.net, and Londontopia.net. He's passionate about travel and learning about other cultures. He's been to Ireland several times, and uses his travel expertise for Irishtopia!
