Last year, I gave you a rundown of my favorite Irish movies as a sequel to my 2024 list of my favorite Irish books, and, as a way to kick-start Saint Patrick’s 2026 season, I thought I would give you my need-to-watch list of Irish Television shows! As the self-appointed Irish expert here at Indianapolis Moms, I have procured a well-researched and authentic list of only the best Irish television shows, which will have you not only teetering on the edge of your seats with gripping story lines while roaring with laughter at the great Irish humor, but will also give you an insight into the soul of Irish culture. I will forewarn you, if you don’t have experience with the different Irish accents and the dialects that run rampant in the hills and dales of the Irish terrain, you may need to watch with the captions on.
Derry Girls (available on Netflix)
Set in the 1990s in Northern Ireland during the final years of the 30-year conflict between the Irish and British, this nostalgic coming-of-age sitcom follows a tight-knit group of four schoolgirls and one schoolboy as they navigate various humorous situations. They navigate teenage disasters, family madness, school rivalries, first crushes, and all that teenage drama under a backdrop of political tension. As someone who grew up during this time not far from Derry, Derry Girls depicts so well how we lived our lives so normally during political instability and continuous conflict. The rapid-fire sarcasm, iconic one-liners, and Irish humor make Derry Girls so entertaining, and also what made it onto this list. If you haven’t watched Derry Girls, I highly recommend adding it to your watchlist. The writer, Lisa McGee, grew up in Derry, which makes the show, the humor, and the content completely sincere and true to form.
How to get to Heaven from Belfast (available on Netflix)
Another masterpiece written by Derry Girls creator, Lisa McGee, How to get to Heaven from Belfast, showcases another Irish female friendship between three Belfast women, all in their late 30s. This comedy-drama begins with the trio receiving the news that one of their friends from school has passed away, but all is not what it seems, and their journey to find out what has happened to their friend takes them all over Ireland, and even to Portugal, landing them in very comical and not-so-comical situations. This tear-jerker will have you on the edge of your seat with all the twists and turns this story provides along the way.
The House of Guinness (available on Netflix)
The House of Guinness tells the story of one of the most famous and richest families in Irish history. It is a compelling family drama that manages to balance tension, humor, and heartfelt moments, and pulls you into the intricate dynamics of the family, revealing their ambitions, rivalries, and deeply human flaws. The show also presents the poorer side of Dublin during the 1860s, showing the Republican uprising and the resentful Irish tensions of the time. The House of Guinness has all the elements of a great period drama, including love, betrayal, heartache, conflict, and drama. If you like Bridgerton and Downton Abbey, The House of Guinness should be on your watchlist.
Bad Sisters (available on Apple TV)
Bad Sisters is a comedic thriller about a group of five sisters whose lives are tangled in secrets and a shared past they can’t escape. On the surface, it’s a family drama: bickering sisters, messy love lives, and the occasional sharp-tongued remark, but lurking beneath the everyday chaos is a murder mystery that slowly pulls each sister into a web of suspicion, lies, and unexpected alliances. Every scene is loaded with wit, tension, and a sly commentary on family loyalty and resentment. The sisters are gloriously flawed, their relationships messy yet compelling, and their schemes equally shocking and hilarious. By the end, Bad Sisters becomes less about whodunit and more about what we do for family and how messy, absurd, and darkly funny that can be.
The Fall (available on Netflix)
Starring Jamie Dornan, otherwise known as the actor who played Christian Grey, The Fall is a chilling, psychologically tense crime drama set in the atmospheric streets of Belfast, Ireland. The series follows Detective Superintendent Stella Gibson, played by Gillian Anderson, a meticulous investigator brought in to track a methodical serial killer who preys on dark-haired women. The city’s juxtaposition of everyday normality with lurking danger mirrors the series’ exploration of morality, obsession, and control. Meticulously paced, sharply written, and hauntingly performed, The Fall is a sophisticated thriller where the tension comes as much from what’s seen in the streets of Belfast as from what’s hidden in human minds.
I hope these five must-watch Irish television shows offer you not only a brilliant way to kick off St. Patrick’s Day 2026, but also a richer, more authentic glimpse of Ireland itself. Beyond the clichés of green hats and pints in crowded pubs, these series capture the country’s wit, warmth, complexity, and breathtaking landscapes. They celebrate the storytelling, resilience, humor, and cultural depth that define Ireland far more meaningfully than any stereotype ever could.
However you choose to celebrate, may your day be filled with great stories and even better company.
Happy St. Patrick’s Day, Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona daoibh!
