Ireland has developed a reputation for brilliant, homegrown dramas, comedies and true-crime series, winning global audiences and major awards. Whether you’re in the mood for dark Irish humour, period intrigue, or gripping stories from both sides of the border, these are the essential Irish TV shows to add to your watchlist.
Best Irish TV series to watch and stream
House of Guinness
Ever wondered about the family behind the iconic Irish stout? You can now wonder no more, as House of Guinness brings us into the heart of the tumultuous Guinness family drama in the wake of the death of the patriarch, Sir Benjamin Guinness, in 1868.
- Does Guinness really taste better in Ireland?
- Where is House of Guinness filmed? Discover the locations used in the Irish dynasty drama
- Do you have Irish roots? Your ancestors could have brewed Guinness – and its online archive could reveal your family’s past
We named House of Guinness as one of the best period dramas to stream and watch.
Watch House of Guinness on Netflix.
Trespasses
Based on the novel of the same name by Louise Kennedy, Trespasses is set in 1970s Northern Ireland during The Troubles. It explores a forbidden love affair between a Catholic schoolteacher and a married Protestant barrister.
Watch Trespasses on Channel 4.
Say Nothing
Another powerful TV series set during The Troubles, Say Nothing is based on the hit Patrick Radden Keefe book of the same name. It follows the lives of young people growing up in Belfast during this time, and their involvement in the Provisional Irish Republican Army (IRA). The Price sisters, Dolours and Marian, are at the heart of the story – with later interviews by an older Dolours, played by Maxine Peake.
Normal People
It was the show that took the internet by storm during the Covid-19 pandemic, when we were all at home dreaming of Connell’s chain and the scenery of County Sligo. Normal People is an adaptation of Sally Rooney’s novel of the same name, which follows the relationship between Marianne Sheridan and Connell Waldron. It’s certainly not a book (or TV show) packed full of pacy plot, but its wistful gazes and painful yearning will leave you wanting more.
Watch Normal People on BBC iPlayer and Netflix.
Derry Girls
The three-series sitcom sees five teenagers living in mid-1990s Derry, attending a Catholic secondary school. Although the show is fictional (and deeply witty), there are references to real-life events throughout, with The Troubles and subsequent Northern Ireland peace process playing out in the background.
Watch Derry Girls on Channel 4 and Netflix.
Bad Sisters
For many, Sharon Horgan is the voice of contemporary Irish drama, having created iconic TV series such as Catastrophe and Motherland, often starring in the shows she writes. In 2022, she released a new black comedy for Apple TV+: Bad Sisters, which is based on the Belgian series Clan. The story is unexpected – four sisters conspire to kill the controlling, abusive husband of their fifth sister, Grace. But, as Horgan is involved, comedy prevails.
Watch Bad Sisters on Apple TV.
Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland
This five-part documentary series reflects on the period of The Troubles, hearing personal stories from the conflict and analysing the legacy of this period of history, 25 years on. The footage is grim, but the producers weave the tales into a compelling narrative about this vital story in Northern Irish history.
Watch Once Upon a Time in Northern Ireland on BBC iPlayer.
Dublin Murders
Not unlike the Scandinavians, the Irish are garnering a reputation for producing captivating crime dramas. Based on Tana French’s popular novels, Dublin Murders unravels two interconnected murder investigations in – you guessed it – Dublin.
Watch Dublin Murders on BBC iPlayer and Disney+.
The Fall
Although the first season of The Fall premiered in 2013, audiences around the globe are still discovering this thrilling crime drama for the first time now – something undoubtedly aided by the fact that it’s available on a range of streaming platforms. Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson – played by Gillian Anderson – and serial killer Paul Spector – played by Jamie Dornan – play off against one another in this exhilarating game of cat and mouse.
Watch The Fall on BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Disney+ and Netflix.
Father Ted
Possibly the most famous Irish TV show to date, Father Ted follows the misadventures of three Catholic priests who have been exiled to an island off the west coast of Ireland. It’s slapstick, it’s surrealist – it’s downright silly.
Watch Father Ted on Channel 4.
The Traitors Ireland
If the drama of The Celebrity Traitors wasn’t enough, why not dig into the Irish iteration of everyone’s favourite murder mystery game? Hosted by Derry Girls star Siobhán McSweeney, The Traitors Ireland so far has one series under its belt – but it’s been renewed for a second season, so there’s plenty more excitement to come.
- Where is The Traitors US filmed? All the filming locations from the dramatic reality TV show
- Where is The Traitors Ireland filmed? All the filming locations from the thrilling reality TV show
- Where is The Traitors filmed? A guide to the filming locations of this nail-biting BBC One series
You will be able to watch The Traitors Ireland outside of Ireland soon.
