From comedies to dramas, this country has produced some of the most beloved television of all time. But what is the best Irish TV show ever?
With its famously lush greenery, stunning coastline and bustling cities, Ireland has provided the backdrop to some of the most loved TV shows.
It’s also home to some of the brightest stars and emerging screen talent, including Sharon Horgan, Paul Mescal and Aisling Bea.
From classic comedies to gritty dramas and captivating romances, the Emerald Isle has produced some of the most beloved TV shows of all time. Betfair Casino set about determining, once and for all, the best Irish TV show ever.
Almost 30 years on from its first episode, Father Ted proved its timeless charm by taking the top spot. The BAFTA award-winning show, which ran for three series between 1995 and 1998, centres around the lives of the three Roman Catholic priests who have been exiled to the fictional Craggy Island for various offences.
Coming in second place was the 2022 thriller Bad Sisters. Written and starring Sharon Horgan, the story focuses on the Garvey sisters, Eva, Ursula, Bibi, and Becka. They all love their sister Grace but their hatred for her husband JP becomes consuming. When he suddenly dies, two life insurers are suspicious of foul play and dark secrets are exposed.
The 2020 adaptation of Sally Rooney’s Normal People captivated the nation during lockdown and received critical acclaim as well as an abundance of award nominations. The beautiful love story between Marianne and Connell also propelled stars Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones into the spotlight.
Ireland’s best TV shows (index score created using ratings from IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, and Rating Graph:
1. Father Ted: A comedy about three priests navigating life on a remote island.
2. Bad Sisters: Set in Dublin, Bad Sisters tells the story of the Garvey sisters as they plot to murder their brother-in-law.
3. Normal People: Marianne and Connell meet in a small town and continue to drift in and out of each other’s lives.
4. Catastrophe: During a business trip in London, an American named Rob meets Sharon, an Irish teacher with whom he shares incredible chemistry.
5. Extraordinary: Jen is forced to live in a world where everyone besides her has their own superpower.
6. Mrs Brown’s Boys: Agnes Brown is an elderly widow who still rules her family with an iron fist.
6. This Way Up: Starring Aisling Bea, teacher Aine is eager to rebuild her life after battling hardships.
7. Holding: Sgt. PJ Collins is sent to a sleeping Irish village when the body of a long-lost local legend is found.
8. The Clinic: A high-paced drama that follows the lives of medical professionals working in Dublin.
| Position | Movie/TV Show | IMDb [out of ten] | Index | Rotten Tomatoes | Index | Ratingraph [out of 10] | Index | Total score |
| 1 | Father Ted | 8.7 | 1 | 93% | 4 | 8.3 | 1 | 6 |
| 2 | Bad Sisters | 8.3 | 3 | 100% | 1 | 8.1 | 3 | 7 |
| 3 | Normal People | 8.4 | 2 | 91% | 5 | 8.2 | 2 | 9 |
| 4 | Catastrophe | 8.2 | 4 | 98% | 2 | 7.7 | 5 | 11 |
| 5 | Extraordinary | 7.7 | 7 | 100% | 1 | 7.5 | 7 | 15 |
| 6 | Mrs Brown’s Boys | 7.1 | 8 | 82% | 6 | 7.7 | 5 | 19 |
| 6 | This Way Up | 7.8 | 6 | 91% | 5 | 7.4 | 8 | 19 |
| 7 | Holding | 6.6 | 10 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 9 | 20 |
| 8 | The Clinic | 6.9 | 9 | 0% | 7 | 7.6 | 6 | 22 |
Press release by Betfair Casino.
