These docu-series and films show us an incredibly varied look at Irish life – the good, the bad and the legendary
We can get so caught up in the latest hit series from our streaming services that it’s easy to miss the fantastic television productions that are directly in front of us. With that in mind, here are some wonderful recommendations for documentaries on Irish life that you may not be aware of.
Sky – Death of a Showjumper
Launching on Sky and NOW on 16 July, Death of a Showjumper is a three-part series that details the shocking death of Katie Simpson, a promising young showjumper. It examines the lead up to Katie’s tragic demise, which devastated the horse community in Northern Ireland, and exposes the hypocrisy, secrets and violence under the surface of a seemingly perfect and privileged world.
RTÉ Player – Natasha
This insightful documentary is a glimpse into Natasha O’Brien’s world after speaking up about the injustice of surviving a violent assault by a serving soldier, who was convicted but walked free with a suspended sentence. The social media backlash, the vitriol, the effect it had on her mental health and relationships – this is what she sacrificed to make her voice heard.
Prime Video – Murderer Behind The Mask
If you remember the harrowing case of Elaine O’Hara who went missing in 2012 and Graham Dwyer who was found guilty of her murder in 2015, this gripping series on Prime Video is a must-watch. It highlights how Dwyer believed he would get away with the murder due to lack of evidence and the remarkable work of An Garda Síochána in bringing him to justice.
RTÉ Player – Bad Nanny
Perhaps not one to watch if you’re in the process of organising childcare for the summer, this jaw-dropping two-part documentary depicts the incredible but true story of Samantha Cookes – a serial scammer and master manipulator who, at one point, was also a trusted nanny to numerous unsuspecting families.
TG4 Player – Sonas
In this four-part docu-series, Áine Ní Bhreisleáin explores the wellness industry in Ireland – body, mind and soul. We get a front row seat as she tries the latest therapies and treatments – everything from acupuncture to forest bathing – around the country and meets with people who have changed their lives in the pursuit of happiness.
RTÉ One: Housewife of the Year
This seemingly nostalgic look back at one of the most uniquely Irish competitions of all time – The Housewife of the Year – tells the extraordinary story of Ireland from the late 1960s to the mid 1990s. It shows the astounding resilience and spirit of a generation of women as they recount their experiences of contraception, Magdalene institutions, financial vulnerability, marital breakdown, and shame.
Youtube: Blue Road – The Edna O’Brien Story
This is an extraordinary, intimate and close-up look at the life and work of one of Ireland’s most provocative writers, Edna O’Brien. Directed and shot by Sinéad O’ Shea, the film is narrated by Oscar-nominated actress Jesse Buckley and is Edna’s final testimony on her remarkable life as she died in July 2024, aged 93, soon after it was made. Available to rent or buy on Youtube or Amazon Prime Video.
RTÉ One – From That Small Island
Narrated by award-winning actor and national treasure Colin Farrell, From that Small Island: The Story of the Irish tells the fascinating history of an island people who have made their mark on an international stage. The four-part series examines the impact the Irish have had all over the world, explores the question of identity and why, even though there are only six million people living on the island of Ireland, over 80 million people worldwide say they are Irish.
Netflix – An Irish Story: This Is My Home
This heart-warming and entertaining documentary about two Irish men – Dave Browne and Dave Rooney – was an unexpected hit when it was released in 2020 and found an audience during the height of Covid. It follows the lads as they embark on a whirlwind road trip to perform a concert in every state in America in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record. A must-watch for anyone interested in music, gigging or a roadtrip across the United States.
