10 Best Irish TV Shows to Binge This St. Patrick’s Day
- Joao Nsita
- 44m
- 8 min read
Introduction
Forget the green beer and the plastic leprechaun hats. In 2025, the best way to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day is by diving into the rich, darkly funny, and incredibly dramatic world of Irish television. Ireland has cemented itself as a global powerhouse for storytelling, producing series that move far beyond the old stereotypes to offer gritty crime dramas, biting dark comedies, and heart-wrenching romances.
Trends on TikTok and Pinterest show a massive shift toward "Emerald Noir" and "Irish Gothic" aesthetics, with viewers craving the misty landscapes and sharp wit that define modern Irish entertainment. Whether you are looking for a murder mystery that will keep you guessing or a comedy that will make you laugh until you cry, the Emerald Isle has something for your watchlist.
This St. Patrick’s Day, we are bypassing the parades for the couch. We’ve curated a list of the 10 best Irish TV shows to binge-watch right now. These series capture the authentic spirit of Ireland—complicated, hilarious, and deeply human. So, grab a cup of tea (or something stronger) and get ready to stream the very best of Irish talent.
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10. Faithless (2024)
The Vibe: Warm, chaotic, and culturally rich. Faithless is a comedy-drama that offers a fresh perspective on the modern Irish family. It follows Sam, an Irish-Egyptian dad trying to raise three daughters alone in Dublin after a tragedy.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: It breaks the mold of what an "Irish show" looks like. It tackles grief and family dynamics with a light touch and a lot of heart. The clash of cultures and the universal struggle of parenting make it relatable and deeply charming. It’s a newer entry that feels like a future classic.
Where to Stream: Acorn TV
9. The Vanishing Triangle (2023)
The Vibe: Tense, atmospheric, and chilling. This psychological thriller is based on true events from the 1990s, focusing on a series of disappearances of women in Ireland.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: For true crime fans, this is essential viewing. It dives into the dark side of Ireland’s past, exploring the "Vanishing Triangle" mystery that still haunts the nation. The performances are gripping, and the mystery unfolds with a pacing that demands you click "next episode" immediately.
Where to Stream: AMC+ / Sundance Now
8. Bodkin (2024)
The Vibe: quirky, mysterious, and meta. Bodkin follows a group of podcasters who descend on a sleepy Irish town to investigate a cold case, only to find that the locals are hiding stranger secrets than they imagined.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: It perfectly satirizes the modern obsession with true crime podcasts while delivering a solid mystery of its own. It stars Will Forte, but the real star is the Irish setting and the eccentric local characters who are tired of being content for someone else's audio drama. It’s funny, dark, and beautifully shot.
Where to Stream: Netflix
Related Article: If you love mysteries, check out our list of 11 True Crime Shows That Pop in Winter Darkness.
7. The Dry (2022)
The Vibe: Dry humor (literally) and messy family dynamics. Shiv Sheridan returns to Dublin from London after years of partying, now sober and trying to navigate her chaotic family who are anything but.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: It captures that specific, suffocating comfort of returning to your childhood home. It’s a comedy about addiction that manages to be laugh-out-loud funny without losing its emotional weight. The Sheridan family is dysfunctional in a way that feels painfully real and incredibly entertaining.
Where to Stream: AMC+ / Sundance Now
6. Obituary (2023)
The Vibe: Dark, twisted, and delightfully morbid. Elvira Clancy is a small-town obituarist who gets paid by the word. When people stop dying, her paycheck dries up—so she decides to take matters into her own hands to keep the money flowing.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: It is Dexter meets Derry Girls. Siobhán Cullen is captivating as the moral-bending protagonist. The show balances the grim subject matter with a bright, stylish aesthetic and a sharp, witty script. It’s a hidden gem that deserves way more attention.
Where to Stream: Hulu / MHz Choice
Related Article: Love dark humor? You might enjoy 10 Shows to Watch if You Loved Nobody Wants This.
Mid-Article Break
Enjoying this list? We love telling stories about complex characters and relationships too. Listen to our episodes here to dive into our original audio fiction.
5. Blue Lights (2023)
The Vibe: Gritty, intense, and deeply human. This police procedural is set in Belfast and follows three rookie officers as they navigate the unique and dangerous pressures of policing in Northern Ireland.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: It’s not just another cop show. It explores the lingering shadows of the Troubles and how they affect modern-day Belfast. The characters are flawed and vulnerable, and the tension is palpable in every scene. It has been hailed as one of the best British/Irish dramas in years for its authenticity and writing.
Where to Stream: BritBox
4. Normal People (2020)
The Vibe: Intimate, heartbreaking, and raw. Based on Sally Rooney’s bestseller, this series follows the complex relationship between Marianne and Connell as they weave in and out of each other’s lives from secondary school to university.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: It is the romance that defined a generation. The chemistry between Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones is legendary. It captures the intensity of first love and the pain of miscommunication perfectly. It’s a quieter, more emotional binge that will leave you thinking about it for days.
Where to Stream: Hulu
Related Article: For more romance, read 10 Rom-Coms books That Feel Like Gilmore Girls.
3. Derry Girls (2018)
The Vibe: Fast-paced, nostalgic, and hysterical. Set in Northern Ireland during the 1990s Troubles, it follows a group of teenagers navigating high school, family, and political unrest with zero grace.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: It is arguably one of the funniest sitcoms ever made. The contrast between the serious historical backdrop and the trivial teen drama is comedy gold. Sister Michael is a cultural icon. It’s a short binge (only three seasons), making it perfect for a St. Patrick’s Day marathon.
Where to Stream: Netflix
2. Kin (2021)
The Vibe: Sleek, violent, and operatic. This crime drama centers on the Kinsella family, a small Dublin crime syndicate that gets embroiled in a war against a global cartel.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: Often compared to The Sopranos or Love/Hate, Kin features an all-star cast including Charlie Cox and Aidan Gillen. It explores the tight-knit bonds of family and the devastating cost of violence. It is visually stunning and incredibly tense—a high-stakes drama that keeps you on the edge of your seat.
Where to Stream: AMC+
Related Article: If you like intense family dynamics, check out 10 Ways to Strengthen a Marriage and Avoid Divorce.
1. Bad Sisters (2022)
The Vibe: Wicked, clever, and endlessly satisfying. The Garvey sisters are bound together by the premature death of their parents and a promise to always protect one another. When their brother-in-law winds up dead, his life insurers launch an investigation to prove malicious intent—and they have their sights set on the sisters, all of whom had ample reason to kill him.
Why It’s a Must-Watch: It is the gold standard of modern Irish television. Sharon Horgan’s writing is sharp, the mystery is genuinely gripping, and the villain (played by Claes Bang) is one of the most hateable characters in TV history. It balances dark themes of abuse with moments of pure hilarity and sisterly love. It’s the perfect show to watch with your best friends.
Where to Stream: Apple TV+
Conclusion
Irish television has entered a golden age, offering stories that resonate far beyond its shores. These 10 shows prove that whether you are in the mood for a laugh, a cry, or a thrill, Ireland has a story for you. This St. Patrick’s Day, skip the stereotypes and immerse yourself in the talent, landscapes, and voices that make these series so special.
So, queue up your streaming services and let the binge-watching begin. Sláinte!
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12 Optional Titles
10 Irish TV Gems to Watch Instead of Parades This Year
The Ultimate St. Patrick’s Day Binge-Watch Guide 2025
Emerald Isle Entertainment: 10 Best Irish Series Streaming Now
Forget the Green Beer: Binge These 10 Irish Dramas Instead
From Dublin with Love: 10 Irish Shows You Can’t Miss
Dark Comedy & Drama: The Best of Irish TV for 2025
10 Irish Series That Define "Emerald Noir" for Your Watchlist
Your St. Patrick's Day Weekend Sorted: 10 Irish TV Hits
Beyond Father Ted: 10 Modern Irish Shows to Stream
Crime, Comedy, and Craic: 10 Irish Shows for St. Paddy's
The 2025 Guide to Irish Television: Top 10 Picks
Stream Green: The Best Irish Storytelling on TV Right Now
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Where can I watch Love/Hate in the US? Love/Hate, the classic Irish crime drama, is often available on BritBox or Amazon Prime Video via add-on subscriptions, though availability fluctuates. It remains a cult classic worth hunting down.
2. Is Derry Girls coming back for a Season 4? No, creator Lisa McGee has confirmed that Season 3 was the final season, bringing the story to a perfect, natural conclusion with the Good Friday Agreement.
3. Are there any new Irish shows coming in 2025? Yes! Keep an eye out for Adolescence on Netflix (March 2025) and new seasons of Blue Lights and The Dry.
4. What is "Emerald Noir"? It is a sub-genre of crime fiction and drama set in Ireland, characterized by dark themes, stunning but moody landscapes, and complex, flawed characters (e.g., Kin, Blue Lights).
5. Can I watch these shows for free? Most require subscriptions to platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or AMC+. However, some platforms offer free trials (like Apple TV+ or AMC+) that you can use to binge a specific show.
6. Is Bad Sisters based on a book? It is actually based on a Flemish series called Clan ("The Out-Laws"), adapted brilliantly by Sharon Horgan for an Irish setting.
7. Why is Paul Mescal so famous? His breakout role in Normal People (Number 4 on our list) launched his career, leading to Oscar nominations and major film roles like Gladiator 2.
8. Is Bodkin a true story? No, Bodkin is a fictional dark comedy thriller, though it playfully mocks the true crime podcasting genre that often focuses on real cold cases.
9. Which of these is best for a family watch? Derry Girls is great for older teens and adults, though it has strong language. Faithless is a good comedy-drama option. Kin and Bad Sisters are definitely for mature audiences.
10. Do I need subtitles for these shows? While they are in English, the Irish accents/slang (especially in Derry Girls and The Young Offenders) can be fast. Turning on subtitles can definitely help you catch every joke!
External Links for Further Reading
Screen Ireland – The official agency for the Irish film, television, and animation industry.
Tourism Ireland - Filming Locations – Visit the real-life locations of your favorite shows.
RTE Player – Ireland’s national broadcaster (may require VPN for some content).
Irish Film & Television Academy (IFTA) – See award-winning Irish productions.
BritBox – The biggest collection of British and Irish TV.
Acorn TV – A great source for mysteries and dramas from Ireland and the UK.
Vulture's Guide to Irish TV – Reviews and recaps of trending shows.
Call to Action: Ready to start watching? Stream Bad Sisters on Apple TV+ today!
