Housewife of the Year

Ireland2024documentary81'Focus on Ireland

The popular TV show ‘Housewife of the Year’ , broadcast on the Irish television between 1969 and 1995, aimed to offer an opportunity for women to get out of the house and show what their real lives were like. Unfortunately, it perpetuated the stereotype of women as unpaid carers. Ciaran Cassidy’s documentary, based on archival footage and interviews with contestants, reveals the reality of the lives of Irish women – who were tired, often single mothers and constrained by social and political norms. Despite their hardships, the protagonists have remained steadfast and their stories shed light on the plight of women in Ireland and inspire generations to come.