With breathtaking natural beauty, its famous forty shades of green, and a people loved the world over for their friendly hospitality, Ireland is a small country with a big heart. It’s also a country with a big presence in the world of film and television, with an impressive roll call of actors, writers, documentarians and creatives that are proud to call themselves Irish.
Celebrate the best viewing that Ireland has to offer with our favourite picks from the now available at SBS On Demand.
The Vanishing Triangle
The unsolved disappearances and murders of women in and around Dublin during the 1980s and 1990s lingered in Irish media coverage for more than a decade, and now this dark, and very real, period in the country’s history is revisited in six-part fictional drama series . Investigative journalist and daughter of one of the victims, Lisa Wallace (India Mullen) is determined to get answers, but tracking down the man she believes is responsible for her mother’s death isn’t without danger. With the help of Detective David Burke, played by fellow Dubliner Allen Leech (Downton Abbey), Lisa quickly realises that the closer she gets to the killer, the more there is for her, and those around her, to lose.
Stream free On Demand
The Vanishing Triangle
series • Crime drama
MA15+
series • Crime drama
MA15+
The Emerald Isles with Ardal O’Hanlon
He’s one of Ireland’s most beloved comedians, and now actor Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Ted, Derry Girls) is on an adventure to acquaint himself with the lesser-known parts of his homeland, exploring the islands off the Irish coast. Alongside fascinating history, Ardal encounters an array of unique wildlife and meets the individuals who call these extraordinary, and often extreme, environments home. From the monastic beauty of the Aran Islands, to the UNESCO listed Skellig Michael, the southernmost island of Cape Clear, and the breathtaking coastal locations in between, this is a journey not to be missed.
3-part series The Emerald Isles with Ardal O'Hanlon airs on SBS from 7:30PM Sunday 17 March. Episodes will be available to stream from 7:30PM Saturday 16 March at
John Torode’s Ireland
Over six mouthwatering episodes of , the Aussie chef dives into Ireland’s culinary world, getting to know the people and produce that have made it what it is today. With its farm-to-fork philosophy and a growing restaurant scene, Torode learns about the superior quality of Irish ingredients and meets the young chefs who are establishing it as a world-class food destination.
To experience more of Irish culinary innovation at its finest, check out Dublin native and chef Nico Reynolds in his series , and watch as he combines the best flavours of his Jamaican heritage with quality Irish produce to create recipes to enhance any repertoire.
Stream free On Demand
All Fired Up
series • cooking
PG
series • cooking
PG
Daniel O’Donnell: I Need You
Daniel O’Donnell has long been regarded as an Irish cultural icon, bringing the folk tunes of his country to audiences right around the world. In the musical special Daniel O’Donnell: I Need You, enjoy a front row seat to Daniel’s shows at the Millennium Forum in Derry as he revisits the crowd-pleasing hits in his musical discography that have seen him fill concert halls in Australia, and right around the world. Featuring behind the scenes footage and commentary from Daniel, and conversations with those who know him best, this is a true celebration of the career of one of Ireland’s most successful and enduring entertainers.
Stream free On Demand
Daniel O'Donnell: I Need You
program • music
PG
program • music
PG
Deadly Cuts
It’s fair to say that Irish actors, and indeed Irish cinema, are currently having their moment on the international stage, but comedy Deadly Cuts is a homegrown gem that deserves some of the spotlight. Set in a hair salon in north Dublin, and with a female-fronted cast, including Dublin-born actress Angeline Ball (), the film follows a group of stylists turned vigilantes as they take on those who threaten the very existence of their working class neighbourhood. With gang violence, a ruthless hairdressing competition, and even murder on the cards, be prepared for the unexpected.
Once you’ve had a much-needed dose of Irish humour, marvel at the diversity of the country’s cinematic offerings with acclaimed Irish language film The Quiet Girl (available for a limited time from 13/3/2024 10:30PM). Be heartbroken and hopeful in equal measure at this story of a young girl who leaves her dysfunctional and neglectful upbringing behind in search of a better life.
Stream free On Demand
Hidden Assets
series • Crime drama
MA15+
series • Crime drama
MA15+
Steps of Freedom: The Story of Irish Dance
In modern times, Irish Dancing is a popular hobby for people of all ages around the world, with many of the most successful Irish dancers today no longer hailing from the Emerald Isle. Despite its global appeal, however, Irish Dancing remains a central part of Irish culture with great significance for its people. In documentary special Steps of Freedom: The Story of Irish Dance, the history of this iconic practice is explored, from the ritual dances of pagan Ireland to its association with defiant political ideology, and its role in bringing people together whatever the occasion.
Stream free On Demand
Steps of Freedom: The Story of Irish Dance
program • dance • 2022
G
program • dance • 2022
G
Blue Lights
Three of the PSNIs newest recruits return for the second series of cop drama . The probationary period marked the beginning of Grace, Annie, and Tommy’s careers with the PSNI, but also saw the trio exposed to the harsh realities of policing in one of Northern Ireland’s most divided cities. The real test begins, however, with life after probation, as they navigate the tension and instability that colours their Belfast beat. As they discover that the defeat of one criminal gang only makes room for another, and navigate the professional and personal challenges that arise, each is left with the same question: have they made the right choice?
Stream season 1 of Blue Lights now on SBS On Demand.
Stream free On Demand
Blue Lights
series • Crime drama
MA15+
series • Crime drama
MA15+
Tastes Like Home
For Irish people living abroad, family recipes are a way of bringing a little piece of home with them wherever they go. It’s these recipes, and the nostalgia that often accompanies them, that TV chef and Wicklow native Catherine Fulvio shares in her series Tastes Like Home. As she flies around the world, carrying the signature dishes of Irish families with her, she visits their family members living abroad and shares her knowledge of classic Irish cuisine. Catherine also learns about local dishes that evoke a similar sense of place for those who have made new lives overseas, and in doing so, captures the enduring pride felt by those with Irish heritage, no matter how long they’ve been away.
Stream free On Demand
Tastes Like Home
