Jennifer Horgan: RTÉ’s Housewife of the Year shows us what we still refuse to see

The RTÉ documentary Housewife of the Year shows how Irish society continues to exploit women’s unpaid labour under a new, economic dogma — and why it’s time to honour that work again

Among the women taking part in the 'Housewife of the Year' documentary is 1969 winner Ann McStay from Ballyfermot. The documentary is now streaming on the RTÉ Player. See link at foot of this article. 

A friend messaged that she was “sick” watching Housewife of the Year, the documentary, on RTÉ. “I’m turning it off.” Horned emoji.

“Housewife of the Year in 2025, I can’t believe it,” said another, unaware that it’s a documentary, now running on the RTÉ Player, about the contest.