‘Housewife of the Year' revisits Ireland's obsession with long-running reality show about women performing domestic duties
'It was absolutely huge,' recalls one former contestant in
Advertisement
The film — which gets a showcase screening Friday at the Somerville Theatre, presented by the Irish Film Festival, Boston — introduces us to dozens of women who gamely took part in the competition. Still in their childbearing years (one contender had 13 children by age 31, including four sets of twins), they welcomed cameras into their kitchens and donned their best dresses to banter with Gay Byrne, Ireland's most famous media personality, onstage in some of the country's poshest theaters.
Ellen Gowan in her home standing on a box with her sash.
Juno Films
Years later, the women have changed. They've become feminists, or they're returned to the work force, or they've learned to live independently of the former man of the house. Some of them supported the 1995 referendum that approved the constitutional amendment to lift the country's ban on divorce. Some have taken issue with the Irish Constitution, which to this day strongly encourages Irish women not to neglect 'their duties in the home.'
'I think people don't realize how religious Ireland was in the '60s, '70s, and '80s,' says Ciaran Cassidy, who directed the film. 'Anybody who grew up here would realize how total the control of the church was.
'It was a kind of fundamentalism about keeping up with appearances,' he says. 'I think these themes are universal, but it's very difficult when people are living through it to have that kind of perspective at the time.'
Advertisement
As a boy growing up in County Cavan, Cassidy (who is 45) had a neighbor who had been on the show.
'It was a town of 12 or 15,000, and everyone knew this woman was appearing on the show,' he says. After years as a live event, in 1982 the program became a Saturday night television staple. By 1988, at the height of 'Housewife''s popularity, 5000 women competed.
At the time, the host, Byrne, was the biggest star in the country, Cassidy explains.
'It was kind of weird — he almost represented the whole patriarchy. All the different female characters, and just this one man.'
Ellen Gowan on stage in the Everyman Theatre, Cork, holding a photo of herself as a girl.
Juno Films
Byrne, Cassidy says, was like the Johnny Carson of Ireland — if Carson had hosted multiple shows on TV and radio, in an era with no alternative to the one national network.
Looking back, the show brims with outdated coiffures and cringeworthy innuendo. When one contestant tells Byrne (who died in 2019) that she has six kids — ages 14, 13, 12, eight, six, and a newborn — he does the math and asks 'What happened to 11, 10, and nine?'
'I couldn't keep going,' she replies. To which Byrne responds with an impish grin, 'Why not?'
The film features ample footage from the program, flickering on the screens of vintage vacuum-tube TV sets, staged in the sepia-toned sitting rooms of old homes.
"Housewife of the Year" winner Ann McStay posing with her family and husband in 1969.
Juno Films
'There was no color back then,' says Dawn Morrissey, the festival's director. 'Women were almost in the background, like curtains.' She grew up in the town of Kildare, where she often watched the show with her mother.
'She had a very different experience,' Morrissey says. 'She only had two kids, by choice. She had lived in London, and she had a career. But the majority of women just didn't get that opportunity.'
Advertisement
Ireland's massive shift on cultural issues has been well documented in recent years. The country's economic boom, the so-called 'Celtic Tiger' of the late 1990s and early 2000s, has slowed, while the cost of living has risen drastically. Still, Irish creativity
'There's kind of a lot of confidence in the generation,' Cassidy says. 'These are singular stories, but they actually translate internationally if they're executed well.
'There's a lot of skilled people here, a lot of talent. It does feel like an exciting time. Irish people do love stories.'
And for the women who once vied to be 'Housewife of the Year,' they're getting another moment in the sun. In the film, they take turns walking out onto a bare stage, beaming for Cassidy's cameras, wearing the sashes they earned long ago.
"Housewife of the Year" winner Philomena Delaney onstage at the Everyman Theatre, Cork.
Juno Films
HOUSEWIFE OF THE YEAR
Presented by Irish Film Festival, Boston. Friday, Jan. 31, 7 p.m. Sold out. Somerville Theatre, 55 Davis Square, 617-625-5700 or
James Sullivan can be reached at
.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Kneecap's Mo Chara Granted Unconditional Bail at First Hearing on Terror Charge
Kneecap's Mo Chara was released on unconditional bail at his first court appearance in London on terror charges tied to an incident where he allegedly displayed a Hezbollah flag at a concert. The preliminary hearing at the Westminster Magistrates' Court Wednesday June 18 was largely procedural. The Belfast rapper, real name Liam Óg Ó hAnnaidh, spoke only to confirm his name, and the judge scheduled his next court date for Aug. 20. If convicted, Ó hAnnaidh could face up to six months in prison, and a fine. More from Rolling Stone Wife of Weezer Bassist Appears in Court, Wins Delay in LAPD Shooting Case Tyler Perry Sued for Alleged Sexual Assault, Battery by 'The Oval' Actor Matthew Perry's Ketamine Death: Second Doctor Agrees to Plead Guilty The terror charge is based on footage from a November 2024 concert in London, where Ó hAnnaidh allegedly displayed the Hezbollah flag and yelled, 'Up, Hamas, up Hezbollah,' as well as, 'The only good Tory is a dead Tory.' Both Hamas and Hezbollah are banned in the U.K., and it is a crime to publicly support them. Ó hAnnaidh and Kneecap have repeatedly denied the allegations, stating previously that they 'do not, and have never, supported Hamas or Hezbollah.' They've claimed footage of the November 2024 concert was 'deliberately taken out of all context,' and suggested the terror charge is a reprisal for their outspoken support for Palestine, their calls for an end to the war in Gaza, and their criticism of the U.K. and U.S. governments for continuing to fund and supply arms to Israel. At Wednesday's hearing, prosecutor Michael Bisgrove insisted the case was not about Ó hAnnaidh's support for Palestine or criticism of Israel, adding that he is 'well within his rights to voice his opinions and solidarity, as is anybody else' (via The Associated Press). Rather, Bisgrove said the case is centered around the video of Ó hAnnaidh at the November 2024 concert. Ó hAnnaidh's lawyer, Brenda Campbell, countered that authorities charged the rapper outside the six-month statute of limitations for a terror offense. While the concert took place on Nov. 21, 2024, London Metropolitan police only became aware of the alleged incident in late April 2025, not long after Kneecap's controversial set at Coachella, where they displayed messages about the war in Gaza. The charge was brought May 21, exactly six months after the London concert. 'If we are right in relation to that, then this court has no jurisdiction and there ends the case,' Campbell said of the timeline. Ó hAnnaidh and his bandmates Móglaí Bap (Naoise Ó Cairealláin) and DJ Próvai (JJ O'Dochartaigh) all arrived at the London courthouse wearing Palestinian keffiyeh scarves. They were greeted by a crowd of supporters outside, many of whom were waving Palestinian and Irish flags. On social media last night, Kneecap wrote, 'British courts have long charged people from the North of Ireland with 'terrorism' for crimes never committed. We will fight them. We will win.' Best of Rolling Stone Sly and the Family Stone: 20 Essential Songs The 50 Greatest Eminem Songs All 274 of Taylor Swift's Songs, Ranked
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Yahoo
Tom Hardy's 'MobLand' just wrapped up with a stunning finale — and I can't wait for a season 2
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. After the premiere of "MobLand," I felt the Paramount Plus show had a major problem, but showed a lot of promise. Fast forward to today's (June 1) season finale, and I can confirm the show wound up delivering on that promise — and then some. No, the show's not perfect by any means. Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren are incredible actors ... just not in this show. They're such caricatures of Irish gangsters that I'm still surprised they agreed to perform their roles the way they did. Then again, there is something very "Guy Ritchie" about their performance, and given the English director's involvement in the show's talented creative team, maybe Brosnan's and Mirren's performance was directed by him in particular. Even though this show isn't technically a Guy Ritchie series — he's an executive producer and director, but "The Day of the Jackal" creator Ronan Bennett is the creative lead behind "MobLand" — it has Ritchie's fingerprints all over it, including the finale. You don't even have to go back far to find a Guy Ritchie movie that feels related to "MobLand." I couldn't stop thinking about "The Gentlemen" while watching this show, especially how much Tom Hardy's Harry Da Souza reminds me of Charlie Hunnam's Raymond Smith. Also, there's plenty of violence. Spoilers for 'MobLand' beyond this point All season long, "MobLand" has been building toward an all-out gang war between the Harrigans and the Stevensons. To call it a simmering conflict would be an understatement. There's been dismemberment, car bombings and much more violence besides. But things go up a notch in the finale. The entire Stevenson crime family gets wiped out in a brilliant move by Harry that involves luring all of Richie Stevenson's (Geoff Bell) soldiers away from the rival gang leader, eliminating them in a hail of gunfire, grenades and bombs. Then, of course, Harry and Kevin (Paddy Considine) kill Richie and the Harrigan family lawyer, O'Hara (Lisa Dawn), who turned out to be a rat. It may be cliche, but this was my favorite part of the episode. First, seeing Harry's move play out in a way that lets you know what's coming just enough for you to get excited for the payoff. Second, Kevin delivering the line 'The Harrigans say hello' right before killing Richie is excellent. Yes, the killer delivering a final line right before the kill has been done before, but it still works. This show may have started slow, but now that the season is over, I can freely admit I've fallen for "MobLand." It's the perfect role for Hardy, who is great on screen with Conisidine. It's just the right blend of clever dialogue, brooding, double crossing and violence, even if the show definitely has some flawed performances and occasionally devolves into cliche. So, Paramount, give us "MobLand" season 2. I'm shocked that the show hasn't been renewed already, even after the finale's release on Paramount Plus. The show is clearly setting up a season 2 with Harry versus the notorious Kat McAllister (Janet McTeer) or a lieutenant of hers we have yet to meet. If we get that showdown, it could genuinely produce a great season of television. Watching Hardy and McTeer on screen this episode gave me real Timothy Olyphant and Margot Martindale in "Justified" season 2 vibes, and that might be one of the greatest seasons of television ever made. Paramount owes it to us and the show to give it the chance to build on a season that's gotten better and better with every episode. Stream "MobLand" on Paramount Plus 'Your Friends and Neighbors' season finale proves there are no consequences as long as you're rich and look like Jon Hamm 'Hacks' shocking season 4 finale has me hopeful season 5 could be the show's best yet — here's why 'The Last of Us' season 2 finale live — reactions, who survived, recap and more
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Yahoo
Kerry Condon Was Relieved to Keep Her Irish Accent for 'F1' Role: 'Thank God' (Exclusive)
PEOPLE caught up with Kerry Condon at the New York City premiere of F1 on Monday, June 16 The Oscar nominee, who is Irish, revealed that the filmmakers "wanted me to use my accent" Condon admitted she "never thought I would be a leading lady" in one of Jerry Bruckheimer's films, which she referred to as "real American, big epic movies"Kerry Condon had one less thing to prepare for in F1. During a chat with PEOPLE at the movie's star-studded premiere in New York City on Monday, June 16, the Irish actress said the powers that be "wanted me to use my accent" as her character Kate. "I was like, 'Oh, thank God'; I had so many other things to think about," adds Condon, 42. "I thought, 'That's great.' " Of what drew her to the film, the Banshees of Inisherin star credits the team of producer Jerry Bruckheimer, director Joseph Kosinski and star Brad Pitt. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. "It was the three of them, because I just knew then the scale of the movie was going to be massive," Condon says. "Jerry Bruckheimer movies are real American, big epic movies with action and emotion, and I never thought I would be a leading lady in one of these movies." "And Joseph was coming off [Top Gun: Maverick], and Brad, I don't need to say anything else," she adds. Pitt leads F1 as Sonny Hayes, a retired racer contemplating a return to Formula 1. Along with Bruckheimer, seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is among the producers of the Ehren Kruger-written film. Per a synopsis, 'Sonny's past catches up with him and he finds that in Formula 1, your teammate is your fiercest competition — and the road to redemption is not something you can travel alone." Condon's character, Kate, is a technical director for the team Sonny races for, owned by Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem). And as one scene shows, it's not the best of first impressions between Sonny and Kate. Though there appears to be an initial spark between the pair, Sonny otherwise navigates the awkward revelation that his 'audition' to join their team is far from the first they've had. is now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Speaking with PEOPLE at the premiere, Pitt, 61, said of filming F1, "There's a strange calm in the car when you're hitting everything." "You're hitting your breaking points and hitting your turning points. It's such a piece. I can't even describe it," he adds. "It's incredible." F1 speeds into theaters June 27. Read the original article on People
