THE streaming platforms now available — Netflix, Amazon Prime, BritBox, Mubi, Disney Plus etc — all feature significant Irish content on a regular basis.
Subscription is usually in the range of £5 -£10 a month, and more than one device can be used for viewing at the same time on the majority of platforms.
On Netflix, Philomena is showing over Christmas.
The story begins in 1951 when Philomena became pregnant and was sent to Sean Ross Abbey in Roscrea.
After giving birth, she was forced to work in the convent laundry for four years, with little contact with her son.
Judi Dench portrays Philomena, Steve Coogan is the journalist, Martin Sixsmith.
Netflix is also streaming Derry Girls, Rebellion, The Miami Showband Massacre and on a lighter note Hard Times, the story of a people in a rural Irish village who hijack a truck containing Viagra with the intention of selling it in Amsterdam.
Britbox (around £50 subscription for the year) is featuring every series of Mrs Brown’s Boys, Ballykissangel, Lucan, with Roy Kinnear as the disappearing Lord, The Fall (featuring Jamie Dornan).
Substantial Irish content is regularly shown on BBC Northern Ireland. To get BBC NI (BBC1 and BBC2), scroll down to the bottom of iPlayer and go to the ‘Change Location’ box, and select Northern Ireland.
On terrestrial television and on radio there are some old favourites as well as rare treats over the Christmas period.
All you need to do is supply the nibbles and snacks.
Wednesday, December 22
BBC Radio 4 Extra, 2pm
Maeve Binchy Short Stories
Jenny Agutter reads The White Trolley
Maeve Binchy was one of the finest storytellers ever to come out of Ireland.
Her literary output was never classified as literary fiction, but her novels were characterised by a sympathetic and often humorous portrayal of small-town life in Ireland.
Twists in the tale were also part of her stock-in trade.
Wednesday, December 22
BBC Radio 2
9pm
The Folk Show with Mark Radcliffe
Folk and traditional music from across the globe. Guests include Adrian McNally from folk act the Unthanks.
Wednesday, December 22
BBC Radio 5 Live
Colin Murray
The Dundonald man hosts his discussion programme on topical issues.
Also on Thursday, December 23 and December, 27, 28, 29.
Wednesday, December 22-23
Radio BBC 6 Music
3am
Cillian Murphy presents an eclectic nocturnal playlist
The Peaky Blinders star from Cork began his performing career as lead singer, guitarist, and songwriter with the rock band The Sons of Mr. Green Genes. So he’s well-qualified to steer you in the direction of some cutting edge music, as well as the odd old favourite.
Irish acting favourite Cillian MurphyThursday, December 23
Channel 4 , 9pm
One Night in…the Natural History Museum
Kildare woman Aisling Clíodhnadh O'Sullivan, known professionally as Aisling Bea, is granted rare access to one of the world’s great museums after the doors close. Aisling is in the company of Josh Widdicombe and Alex Brooker as they venture through the fascinating collections.
Thursday, December 23
BBC Radio 4 Extra, 2pm
Maeve Binchy Short Stories
Jenny Agutter reads The Feast of Stephen
Christmas Eve
Friday, December 24
BBC Radio 4 Extra, 2pm
Maeve Binchy Short Stories
Jenny Agutter reads Euston
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
BBC Radio 4, 3pm
This is one of the finest occasions to hear the greatest Irish Christmas song ever — no, not Fairytale of New York, but Once In Royal David’s City, written by Dublin woman Cecil Frances Alexander.
It’s always the opening number at the traditional Christmas service live from the chapel of King’s College, Cambridge.
Christmas Day
Saturday, December 25
BBC1, 10.20pm
Mrs Brown’s Boys
It wouldn’t be Christmas without Mrs Brown making an appearance. Something of a Christmas tradition on British television, Mrs Brown’s Boys regularly rides high in the ratings competition.
This year the Dublin mammy (Brendan O’Carroll) is trying to nail a place in the church choir, while excitement mounts in Foley’s for a murder mystery evening.
(Also on December 29, 11.45pm)
Comedian and actor Aisling Bea is a highlight on the festive television scheduleSt Stephen’s Day
Sunday, December 26
BBC4, 7pm
The Chronicles of Erne
Winter on the Fermanagh lough sees geese, swans, ducks and assorted wars arriving from northerly climes. A beautifully filmed documentary also includes poetry and painting.
Sunday, December 26
More4, From 10.05pm
Father Ted
Three back-to-back episodes from Craggy Island. These include the one where the words ‘boot’ ‘bottom’ and ‘Bishop Brennan’ sum up one of the key scenes in the series.
Monday, December 27
Channel 5, 1.10pm
My Fair Lady
Dublin man George Bernard Shaw won an Oscar for this film, and in doing so became the only person in history to win a Nobel Prize and an Academy Award. The sumptuous adaptation of Shaw’s Pygmalion won a total of eight Oscars. The cast includes Rex Harrison as Henry Higgins and Audrey Hepburn as Eliza
Monday, December 27
BBC Radio 2, 8pm
My Life in a Mixtape
Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly share the tracks that have marked out the soundtrack to their career.
Tuesday, December 28
BBC2, 10pm
Mock the Week End of Year Special
Dara Ó Briain and Hugh Dennis look back over some of the funniest out-takes of 2021
More4, 11.05pm
A recording of comedian Sean Lock, who died earlier in 2021, discussing myriad subjects — probably including his Co. Armagh roots.
Wednesday, December 29-30
Radio BBC 6 Music, 3am
Cillian Murphy’s Limited Edition
Thursday, December 30
BBC Radio 4 Extra
Great Lives
Matthew Parris discusses with Will Gregory (of music duo Goldfrapp) the Strabane writer Flann O’Brien, born Brian O’Nolan. His move to Dublin helped O'Brien's satirical humour and biting wit to flourish. He also wrote newspaper columns and books under the pseudonym Myles na gCopaleen, and was the author of At Swim Two Birds and The Third Policeman.
Thursday, December 30
Channel 5, 9pm
Wogan: Now You’re Talking
Wry, erudite, mellifluous, self-deprecating, humorous — all words that describe the greatly missed Terry Wogan. This show traces the Limerick man’s journey from Dublin bank clerk to British national treasure.’
Thursday, December 30
BBC Radio 2, 9pm
The Country Year with Ashley McBride
2021 through the prism of country music.
New Year’s Eve
Friday, December 31
BBC1, 11.25pm
The Graham Norton Show
A whole host of guests including Northern Ireland outfit Divine Comedy led by Derry man Neil Hannon — who wrote the theme music for Father Ted, Songs of Love.
BBC2, 11.25pm
Jools’ Annual Hootenanny
Jools Holland and his R&B Orchestra plus a host of guests tell the old year to push off. Ed Sheeran, Vic Reeves and a pipe and drum band all feature.
