Ireland may not be known for its reality TV, but our emerald isle has rustled up some truly iconic gems over the years.
As the Celtic Tiger dawned, RTE, TV3 and TG4 seriously upped their games when it came to reality gold. And so, without further ado, here are five Irish reality TV series that have withstood the test of time.
1. Dublin Wives
It just rolls right off the tongue, doesn’t it? Dublin Wives was Ireland’s answer to The Real Housewives franchise. This series followed the glamorous lives of Danielle Meagher, Jo Jordan, Lisa Murphy, Roz Flanagan and Virginia Macari.
Dublin Wives was packed to the brim with stunning homes, fabulous outfits, and of course zingy one-liners. To this day “She has more issues than Vogue Magazine” lives rent-free in my head.
2. Paisean Faisean
The sheer DELIGHT when we got to watch this during Irish class in school. The premise of Paisean Faisean was quite simply. Three men shop in different stores for the same woman. The guy with the winning outfit gets to take her out on a date.
This series, which is available to watch on the TG4 player, was the best way to learn Irish.
3. ICA Bootcamp
To say this show made me proud to be Irish is a massive understatement. In the ICA Bootcamp, 24 city-slickers get whisked off to An Grianán to learn how to be a proud Irish countrywoman, worthy of the association.
The Dublin girls are put to the test in this gripping competition series as they learn crafts, cookery and, above all, the sheer resilience required to join the Irish Countrywoman’s Association. Two words – TV gold.
4. The Model Scouts
This 2009 series was actually an underrated gem. RTE commissioned two seasons of The Model Scouts which was essentially Ireland’s answer to America’s Next Top Model.
The show followed 12 Irish girls as they vie for a lucrative contract with IMG – all under the watchful eye of Erin O’Connor.
5. Fade Street
No list honouring Irish reality TV would be complete without a mention of Louise, Dani, Vogue and Cici, aka the girls of Fade Street. Loved by some, hated by loads, Fade Street was next level.
However, it gave us so many quotable moments that all is forgiven. Who could forget Paul’s tantrum at Oxygen? Or Dani and Louise’s massive argument over their filthy apartment? It’s been 10 years and I still think of Louise congratulating the hiring manager during her own job interview. That speaks to the show’s power.
