List RulesVote up the best scripted television shows that take place in either The Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.
A combination of resources and how few new shows UK television puts out, in general, has limited the number of Irish television series. Luckily, more production companies are realizing that not only is Ireland is a gorgeous place with a heavy history, but more and more BBC and ITV series are being set in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland, expanding the range of stories told in the UK. If you've ever thought of visiting Ireland or are curious about how the countries are portrayed on-screen, this list of the best shows set in Ireland can be your tour guide.
Whether it be centered around Dublin or Belfast, or somewhere much smaller, like Derry, there is a vibrant charm to Irish dramas and comedies alike. Many historical period series are set in Ireland, like the twin series Rebellion and Resistance, set around the first quarter of the 20th century. But some period pieces are set much more recently, such as Derry Girls, which uses music to remind the viewers that The Troubles were as recent as the early 1990s. Not all Irish shows are heavy-handed, there are plenty of sitcoms and comedies like Father Ted.
Which shows about Ireland should be at the top of the list? Vote up the best TV shows set in Ireland, then vote down the shows that don't deserve to be set in such a great place and add any great Irish shows that are missing.
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7513Derry Girls
Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Nicola CoughlanPremiered: 2018
Derry Girls (Channel 4, 2018) is a British sitcom created by Lisa McGee. Erin (Saoirse-Monica... more2
505Father Ted
Ardal O'Hanlon, Dermot MorganPremiered: 1995
Father Ted is a sitcom that was produced by independent production company Hat Trick... more3
245Love/Hate
Aidan Gillen, Charlie MurphyPremiered: 2010
Love/Hate is an Irish crime drama series broadcast on RTÉ Television. The show premièred on 3... more4
2913The Fall
Gillian Anderson, Jamie DornanPremiered: 2013
The Fall (BBC Two, 2013) is a British-Irish crime drama television series created by Allan... more5
259Moone Boy
Chris O'Dowd, David RawlePremiered: 2012
Moone Boy is an Irish sitcom created, co-written by and co-starring Chris O'Dowd for British... more6
156Rebellion
Ruth Bradley, Michelle FairleyPremiered: 2016
Rebellion (RTÉ, 2016) is an Irish historical fiction television miniseries. The show... more7
115Killinaskully
Pat Shortt, Joe RooneyPremiered: 2003
Killinaskully is an Irish television comedy which details the bizarre goings-on in a... more8
138Ballykissangel
Colin Farrell, Victoria SmurfitPremiered: 1996
Ballykissangel is a BBC television drama created by Kieran Prendiville and set in Ireland,... more9
81Resistance
Brian Gleeson Aoife Duffin Simone Kirby Natasha O'Keeffe Gavin DreaPremiered: 2019
Resistance (RTÉ One, 2019) is an Irish historical fiction television miniseries written by... more10
61The Clinic
Saoirse Ronan, Chris O'DowdPremiered: 2003
The Clinic is a multi award-winning Irish primetime television medical drama series produced... more11
61The Walshes
Rory Connolly, Phillipa DunnePremiered: 2014
The Walshes (RTÉ, 2014) is an Irish comedy television series, based on work by the comedy... more12
85Strumpet City
Peter O'Toole, David KellyPremiered: 1980
Strumpet City was a 1980 television miniseries produced by Irish broadcaster RTÉ, based on... more13
52Bachelors Walk
Don Wycherley, Keith McErleanPremiered: 2001
Bachelors Walk was a comedy-drama about three single men living in a house in Dublin’s... more14
50Raw
Dominique McElligott, Shelley ConnPremiered: 2008
RAW is an Irish drama television series which was broadcast on RTÉ. The show focuses on the... more15
52Whistleblower
Emma Stansfield, Adrian DunbarPremiered: 2008
Whistleblower is a two-part IFTA-winning fact-based RTÉ drama which focuses on the Michael... more16
5213 Steps Down
Luke Treadaway, Geraldine JamesPremiered: 2012
Thirteen Steps Down (ITV, 2012) is an Irish television thriller miniseries based on the novel... more17
20The Irish R.M.
Peter Bowles, Bryan MurrayPremiered: 1983
The Irish R.M. refers to a series of books by the Anglo-Irish novelists Somerville and Ross,... more18
00Single-Handed
Ian McElhinney, Michael McElhattonPremiered: 2007
Single-Handed is an Irish television drama series, first broadcast on RTÉ Television in 2007.... more19
14Can't Cope, Won't Cope
Seána Kerslake, Nika McGuiganCan't Cope, Won't Cope (Netflix, 2016) is an Irish comedy drama created by Stefanie Preissner.... more20
28Murder in Eden
Peter Firth, Alun ArmstrongPremiered: 1991
Murder in Eden is a British television series directed by Nicholas Renton and featuring Ian... more21
02Seacht
Alana Henderson, Andrew KavanaghPremiered: 2008
Seacht was a college drama series following the lives of seven college students at the Arts... more22
04Wild Decembers
Matt Ryan, Owen McDonnellWild Decembers is an Irish feature-length television drama series which broadcast on RTÉ One... more23
05Prosperity
Prosperity is a series of four one-hour dramas for television from director Lenny Abrahamson... more24
58Foreign Exchange
Robert Sheehan, Zachary GarredPremiered: 2004
Foreign Exchange is an Irish-Australian television programme broadcast by Southern Star from 5... more25
812Quirke
Gabriel Byrne, Aisling FranciosiPremiered: 2014
Quirke is a British-Irish crime drama television series that was first broadcast on BBC One... more