Best Irish documentary series
Get ready to binge. We've found a collection of must-watch documentary shows from Ireland, now streaming on Netflix, HBO, Hulu, Prime Video, and other top services!
David Gray: Ireland's Greatest Hit (2020)
David Gray: Ireland's Greatest Hit (2020)
The story of how David Gray, a broke Welsh singer, made an album in his spare room that became the biggest selling of all time in Ireland.
Reeling in the Years (1999)
Reeling in the Years (1999)
Each episode looks back at the news and events of a particular year, using news archive footage, along with subtitles as the means of narration, to recount notable Irish and international events of the time.
Tales of Irish Castles (2014)
The Irish Civil War (2022)
The Irish Civil War (2022)
The 3-part documentary series The Irish Civil War tells the epic and often challenging story of the origins, conflict and legacy of the civil war that took place in Ireland in 1922 and 1923.Narrated by Brendan Gleeson, produced in partnership with University College Cork by RTÉ Cork as part of the Decade of Centenary commemorations and based on UCC’s “mammoth and magnificent” Atlas of the Irish Revolution, this documentary series features extensive archive film footage, photographs and materials, interviews with leading academics, archive interviews with contemporary participants and witnesses, firsthand witness accounts read by actors, detailed and dynamic graphic maps based on those featured in the Atlas of the Irish Revolution, and stunning cinematography of the very locations where events took place.
The Troubles: A Secret History (2019)
The Troubles: A Secret History (2019)
In a landmark 7-part series, Spotlight - Northern Ireland’s leading team of investigative journalists - reveal important new discoveries about the conflict known as the Troubles, in the 50th anniversary of the deployment of British troops to Northern Ireland.
First Dates Ireland (2016)
First Dates Ireland (2016)
Cupid’s arrow hits Irish shores this month when the brand new series of First Dates Ireland airs on RTÉ2. The restaurant doors will swing open bringing singletons from all over the country together in the hope of finding love.
The Irish Revolution (2019)
The Irish Revolution (2019)
The remarkable story of the Irish War of Independence (1919-1922) which resulted in the formation of the Irish Free State and became the model for other British colonies to gain their independence.
Lords & Ladles (2015)
Lords & Ladles (2015)
Lords and Ladles feature three of Ireland's top chefs - Derry Clarke, Catherine Fulvio and Paul Flynn - who are challenged to recreate elaborate menus from different centuries in some of Ireland's grandest Country Homes.
1916 Seachtar na Cásca (2010)
1916 Seachtar na Cásca (2010)
Seachtar na Cásca is a 7-part historical documentary series of immense importance. The series examines the lives of the 7 signatories of the Proclamation. In 1916 these seven men signed the proclamation knowing that they were signing their own death warrant. But what made these ordinary men do such a thing? What in their lives or nature made them decide that this was the proper move to make? Seachtar na Cásca looks for these answers. It will look at a part of history often thought about but sidestepped in recent years. This event, the coming together of like-minded individuals to plan, plot and proceed with the 1916 Rising is still affecting the lives of us all on the island of Ireland to this day.
Spooked Ireland (2023)
Spooked Ireland (2023)
Medium Chris Fleming, paranormal researcher Ryan O'Neill and parapsychologist Evelyn Hollow join presenter Vogue Williams to investigate haunted locations in Ireland.
1916 (2016)
1916 (2016)
The documentary - featuring a combination of rarely seen archival footage, new segments filmed on location worldwide, and interviews with leading international experts - also uncovers the untold story of the central role Irish Americans played in the lead-up to the rebellion. Although defeated militarily, the men and women of the Easter Rising would wring a moral victory from the jaws of defeat and inspire countless freedom struggles throughout the world - from Ireland to India.
Only Fools Buy Horses (0)
Only Fools Buy Horses (0)
Hector O hEochagain rises to the challenge of becoming a successful racehorse owner. This six part series follows the fortunes of confirmed gambler/presenter Hector Ó hEochagáin when he enters the exclusive world of horseracing as the rookie owner of a thoroughbred horse named "Traverse".
The Story of Ireland (2011)
The Story of Ireland (2011)
The series aims to explore Irish history using the historical facts and evidence while charting the origin and impact of the numerous myths that have been passed off as history in the past. Key to this approach is relating developments in Ireland to events and changes in Europe and the world at large as the centuries progress.
Raised by the Village (2019)
Raised by the Village (2019)
Tells the story of two city families who need significant help with parenting and are taking drastic steps to get it. In a last ditch attempt to rein in their kids, they move them to the heart of the countryside, allowing them to be ‘raised by the village’. Under the guidance of one of Ireland’s top child psychotherapists, Stella O’Malley, the pair get a dose of teenage life Irish village style. The question posed is whether the two kids will benefit from part of a tight-knit community where the local adults keep a very close eye on goings on.
Gerry Hutch: AKA The Monk (2025)
Gerry Hutch: AKA The Monk (2025)
With unprecedented access to archive footage and extensive new background research this is the up-to-date story of Gerry Hutch by some of those who know his life best.
Colombia's Wild Coast (2018)
Colombia's Wild Coast (2018)
Exploring Colombia's wild coast, a natural fortress surrounded by shark-infested seas, blanketed in impenetrable jungle and teaming with deadly snakes.
The Heiress and the Heist (2023)
The Heiress and the Heist (2023)
The tale of Rose Dugdale: from English debutante bowing to the Queen to fervent IRA supporter and art thief.
The Great House Revival (2018)
The Great House Revival (2018)
Following six homeowners who have taken on the task of a lifetime: to reclaim and transform their derelict properties on the verge of ruin into comfortable modern homes, fit for the 21st century.
The Burren: Heart of Stone (2021)
The Burren: Heart of Stone (2021)
Come along on a journey through the ages, tracing the genetic story of the Irish people, the story of the Irish hunter-gatherers and what became of them. Did prehistoric farmers irreversibly altered this landscape? Is modern Irish society descended from those who first lived here over 10,000 years ago?
Ireland's Wild Islands (2023)
Ireland's Wild Islands (2023)
Eoin Warner sails a 140-year-old Galway Hooker out into the Atlantic to showcase the extraordinary wild magic of Ireland's western islands, from Basking Sharks off Inishtrahull, to White Tailed Eagle off the Cork coast.
The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine (2020)
The Hunger: The Story of the Irish Famine (2020)
In the 1840s, a catastrophic famine brought about the decimation of Ireland’s poor and the exodus of millions from the island. This major, ground-breaking documentary, narrated by Liam Neeson, explores the famine’s international origins and development in Europe, Britain and Ireland and charts its long-term legacy as it plays out for much of the century that follows. Today the Irish famine is recognised as the worst humanitarian disaster of the 19th Century but what is less recognised is that the crisis impacted far beyond Ireland’s shores. The story of the Blight pathogen that killed the potato crop, starts in the Andes of South America and then reaches into the heart of northern Europe where the collapse of potato crops causes the deaths of 100,000 people adding further fuel to social tensions that lead to Europe’s year of revolutions in 1848.
The Secret Millionaire IRL (2011)
The Secret Millionaire IRL (2011)
The Secret Millionaire is a reality television show, in which millionaires go incognito into impoverished communities and agree to give away tens of thousands of euro. Members of the community are told the cameras are present to film a documentary
Craft Master (2011)
Craft Master (2011)
Craft Master – the search for Ireland’s next big exportThe series is broken down into six shows with the first five shows focusing on glass blowing with Róisín de Buitléar (Ireland’s best known glass artist), ceramics with Colm de Rís (one of Ireland’s biggest exports of pottery), weaving with Beth Moran (a master weaver originally from the States but living on the remote but picturesque Clare Island), metal with blacksmith Michael Budd and wood turning with Glenn Lucas (one of the fastest wood turners in the world.Three apprentices will each week battle it out in their chosen practice to win a place in the final. The final show will crown one of the final five apprentices (one from ceramics, glass blowing, wood turning, textiles and metal) Craft Master 2011 and the lucky winner will be given a stand at Show Case, the international trade show for Irish producers and with the Irish Craft Industry being worth almost half a billion euro annually it’s all to play for.
Confessions of a Crime Boss (2023)
Confessions of a Crime Boss (2023)
Former crime boss John Gilligan discusses his infamous stint in the Irish underworld, including his trial for the murder of crime journalist Veronica Guerin.
Ireland with Simon Reeve (2015)
Ireland with Simon Reeve (2015)
Simon Reeve sets out on an epic journey around the island of Ireland - a place steeped in history, culture and belief, but with a complex past. Part 1: South Simon begins his journey in the south of Ireland, paramotoring with an Irish explorer. On the west coast, he does spot of surfing before climbing Croagh Patrick in honour of Ireland's patron saint. This leg of his journey ends in Malin Head, Ireland's most northerly point.
Murdered: The Baby on the Beach (2023)
Murdered: The Baby on the Beach (2023)
In the rural Ireland of 1984, the murder of an unidentified infant begins a series of events that eventually shine a spotlight on prejudice, ignorance and police corruption.
The Emerald Isles with Ardal O'Hanlon (2024)
The Emerald Isles with Ardal O'Hanlon (2024)
Ardal O'Hanlon goes on a fascinating journey around the islands of Ireland, unearthing the history, observing the wildlife and meeting the islanders trying to live sustainably within their extraordinary environment.