From "Glenroe" to "Father Ted" - The ten best Irish TV shows of all time

No matter if you’re looking for a laugh or something to cry to, there’s an Irish TV show waiting for you to discover and devour.

With all that being said, we here at Extra.ie have decided to rank what we believe are the ten best Irish TV shows of all time in a list that no one will have any issues with!

10. "Glenroe"

For nearly 20 years, viewers were obsessed with the antics of the Byrne and McDermott families. Simply put, "Glenroe" is an institution of Irish TV.

Whether it was affairs, tragic deaths or just enjoying the craic at the Molly Malone, there was never a dull moment on Sunday nights.

The nation was left collectively mourning after RTÉ pulled the plug on the soap set in Kilcoole when they decided to cancel it in 2001. Perhaps it’s time for a reboot.

9. "The Hardy Bucks"

Beginning as a YouTube series, "The Hardy Bucks" quickly became one of Ireland’s favorite comedies. Leaving the kind of legacy few shows dream of.

The cult mockumentary tells the tale of a group of twentysomething slackers living in County Mayo who will do anything to make a quick buck and have a good time.

Running for four seasons on RTÉ, "The Hardy Bucks" has become a TikTok hit in recent years thanks to its loyal followers posting their favorite moments. Just don’t mention the movie!

8. "Moone Boy"

Despite many knowing Chris O’Dowd from his work on the "IT Crowd", it’s time that "Moone Boy" got the acclaim it so rightly deserves.

Following 12-year-old boy, Martin Moone and his imaginary friend Sean, "Moone Boy" was a joyous comedy that highlighted the importance of using your imagination.

While it will be remembered for its hilarious storylines and A-list cameos, shout out to Paul Rudd, "Moone Boy" had the power to make its viewers weep at any moment.

7. "Killinaskully"

Pat Short’s career highlight will undoubtedly prove to be his wonderful sitcom that introduced the nation to the fictional town of "Killinaskully".

Sometimes all you want from a TV show is an ear-worm of a theme song and watch three men talking about the ins and outs of their lives while enjoying a pint in Jacksie’s pub.

Capturing rural Ireland in a way seldom programs have done before it or since it, we should cherish the days of turning a "Killinaskully" re-run about catching all the GAA action on "The Sunday Game".

6. "The Fall"

Who knew that pairing "X-Files" legend Gillian Anderson with Christian Grey himself Jamie Dornan in a detective thriller would lead to one of the nation’s best ever crime shows?

Set in Belfast, "The Fall" sees Anderson playing a detective tasked with taking down Dornan’s serial killer. Full of cliffhangers and suspense, "The Fall" is brilliant for the streaming age.

Whether you can handle the tension over the course of three seasons is questionable, but there’s no doubting "The Fall’s" place on our list.

5. "Normal People"

Some may roll their eyes and place this pick down to recency bias, but Lenny Abrahamson’s adaption of Sally Rooney’s sophomore novel "Normal People" is a masterpiece.

Launching Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar Jones to superstardom, the twelve-episode season depicts a story of young love that is way too relatable for the adults of the 2020s.

Shining a light on crucial mental health themes and getting a Liveline episode dedicated to how raunchy it is that will go down in Irish history, "Normal People" got millions of people through the early days of the pandemic.

4. "Derry Girls"

In terms of being a global phenomenon, it could be argued that "Derry Girls" is on its way to becoming the nation’s most-seen show across the world, and with good reason!

Creator Lisa McGee delivered a show that is full of hysterical quotes, feel-good moments and important lessons about why we must never forget about the Troubles.

We’ll always remember our "Derry Girls" Erin, Michelle, Orla, Clare and James.

3. "Reeling In The Years"

Is this a cheat answer? That’s up to you, but there’s no denying that "Reeling In The Years" is among the best shows to ever be produced by the national broadcaster.

Each episode is an educational time capsule into what life was like dating back all the way to 1960. For some, it’s a reminder of what’s occurred in their lifetime, while for others it’s a way of understanding what older generations went through.

What makes "Reeling In The Years" tick is the flawless editing and genius music choices. Nothing beats getting to watch what happened the year you were born. Sadly we have to wait at least another six years to get the next season.

2. "Love/Hate"

Seemingly arriving from nowhere in 2010, "Love/Hate" is a shining example of the heights that Irish writers and actors can reach when given the time and funding to create something special.

Remembered more for its memes these days, "Love/Hate" told an exceptional story about the lives of Dublin gangsters for five seasons. We may be in denial, but maybe one day we will get season six.

Shows like "Kin" may have tried to fill the void "Love/Hate" left, but no Irish gangland drama will ever compare to the journey Darren, Nidge, Tommy, and Fran took us on.

1. "Father Ted"

There’s just no denying the brilliance of "Father Ted". We would have liked to have pretended that something has topped it in the 26 years since its conclusion, but that would be a lie.

The memories and stories that Craggy Island gifted us are incomparable. Whether it was the thrills of a lusty milkman or the nightmare of getting lost in the underwear section of a clothes shop, the comedic priests never had a dull moment.

It’s a testament to the power of the late Dermot Moran’s memory that his face is still displayed on t-shirts across the nation. Irish TV will never top "Father Ted," and maybe that’s okay.

* This article was originally published on Extra.ie.