Ireland has produced some of the funniest shows the world has seen, so here are our top ten picks.
Irish people are notoriously funny; it’s embedded in our bones. Humour is at the core of who we are as a nation.
They say people use humour as a deflection; maybe that’s why the Irish use it so much. Intergenerational trauma and all that! Anyway, without further ado, let’s take a look at the ten funniest Irish TV Shows.
- Ireland has produced some of the funniest shows the world has seen, so here are our top ten picks.
- 10. Republic of Telly – a hilarious eight-year run
- 9. Mrs Brown’s Boys – the Irish mammy
- 8. Moone Boy – a hidden gem
- 7. Gogglebox Ireland – nice, easy watching
- 6. This Way Up – an excellent Irish show
- 5. Hardy Bucks – one season of genius
- 4. Bad Sisters – the new kid on the block
- 3. The Young Offenders – the hilarious duo
- 2. Derry Girls – one of the best Irish comedy shows
- 1. Father Ted – careful now!
10. Republic of Telly – a hilarious eight-year run
Republic of Telly ran for 15 seasons across eight years between 2009 and 2017 and was a firm favourite amongst the Irish.
The show was intended as a mock examination of various Irish and British TV channels. The show was presented by three different hosts over the years, including Kevin McGahern for the final four years.
Republic of Telly saw some iconic moments over the years, like the release of the Rubberbandits ‘Horse Outside’ music video.
9. Mrs Brown’s Boys – the Irish mammy
Now, Mrs Brown’s Boys might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it’s impossible not to include it on a list of the funniest Irish TV shows.
Written by and starring Dublin comedian Brendan O’Carroll, along with his wife, Jennifer Gibney, and various other family members, Mrs Brown’s Boys follows the life of Agnes Brown and her love for interfering in the lives of her friends and family.
Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie actually broke Irish box office records when it was released in 2014.
8. Moone Boy – a hidden gem
Starring Chris O’Dowd and David Rawle, Moone Boy follows the story of Martin Moone, a young boy who lives in a small Irish town and relies on the help of his imaginary friend Sean to deal with the quandaries life in small-town Ireland throws at him.
If you haven’t watched Moone Boy yet, make sure to get it on your list; it’s a cracker.
7. Gogglebox Ireland – nice, easy watching
Gogglebox Ireland is one of the funniest Irish TV shows thanks to the hilarious families and friends that feature.
The Irish version of the much-loved Gogglebox, it has become a firm favourite among Irish people and those viewing from elsewhere in the world.
6. This Way Up – an excellent Irish show
Set in London but starring the brilliant talent of Irish actors Aisling Bea and Sharon Horgan, This Way Up was written by Bea and follows her character navigating life after a nervous breakdown.
Bea and Horgan star as sisters Aine and Shona as Aine tries to put her life back together while relying on the help of her older sister. While it’s a funny Irish show, it also hits homes in many respects.
5. Hardy Bucks – one season of genius
There might only be one series of Hardy Bucks, but that doesn’t mean it didn’t make the impact to get on our list of the funniest Irish TV shows.
The show is filmed in a mockumentary style and follows the lives and fictional exploits of a group of lovable but lazy young adults living in a small Irish town.
4. Bad Sisters – the new kid on the block
Just released in 2022, Bad Sisters is the newest addition to our list of Ireland’s funniest TV shows. It follows the lives of the five Garvey sisters. They are as close as siblings could be, in part due to the untimely deaths of their parents.
Grace, played by Anne-Marie Duff, is married to the unlikable, ignorant, and impossibly arrogant John Paul, and her sisters, played by Sharon Horgan, Eve Hewson, Sarah Greene, and Eva Birthistle, will do everything to protect her.
3. The Young Offenders – the hilarious duo
Following on from the success of The Young Offenders 2016 movie, The Young Offenders series follows the life and recurring antics of two Cork teenagers, Conor and Jock.
The show perfectly depicts the awkward teenage years of growing up in Ireland, helped mainly by the comedy prowess of Alex Murphy (Conor) and Chris Walley (Jock).
2. Derry Girls – one of the best Irish comedy shows
Derry Girls graced our screens between 2018 and 2022. For many, it was one of the things that got us through Covid-19 lockdowns!
The quotes, the jokes, the one-liners, and the carefully curated cast altogether make the perfect recipe for an Irish comedy.
Set against the backdrop of the Troubles and the lead-up to the Good Friday Agreement, the show perfectly balances humour with such a sensitive and dark time in Ireland’s history.
1. Father Ted – careful now!
Taking the final spot on our list of the funniest Irish TV shows is, of course, Father Ted. Father Ted only ran for three short seasons, ending back in 1998, but it remains arguably the most iconic Irish television show of all time.
Starring Dermot Morgan, Ardal O’Hanlon, Pauline McLynn, and Frank Kelly as Father Ted, Father Dougal, Mrs Doyle, and Father Jack navigating life and the parish on Craggy Island, it’s a laugh-out-loud Irish comedy show that will just never get old!
