Mrs Brown’s Boys is still a hit with Irish viewers, with more than half a million tuning in to the Christmas Day special.
Brendan O’Carroll’s cult comedy – dubbed “Marmite TV” as it’s both loved and loathed –made a comeback this year, according to RTE ratings figures.
Last year, its Christmas special dropped 100,000 viewers. But the recent December 25 show – Mammy’s Mechanical Merriment – attracted 526,000 fans.
However, the second instalment on New Year’s Day – Mammy’s Mickey – was not as popular, with 414,000 viewers on the night.
The show has been slammed by critics over the past week, following divisive views over the annual Christmas and New Year specials.
And the RTE figures show that despite a relative return, interest has waned since Mrs Brown was at her height with more than 600,000 viewers.
But creator O’Carroll told the Irish Mirror last month he had no plans to retire Mrs Brown any time soon, saying: “I’ll die with my bra on.”
RTE revealed the Six One News broadcast on December 28 was the most popular over the festive period, with 586,000 viewers tuning in.
Elsewhere, Fair City drew in the ratings, with the Dublin-based drama’s Christmas special at 409,000, while 359,000 tuned in to Oliver Callan’s Callan Kicks The Year.
Meanwhile, live sport dominated the top 20 most watched programmes of 2021 on Virgin Media Television, in a year which saw the broadcaster record its highest ever share of viewing for 15 to 44-year-olds.
Ireland’s clash against France in the Six Nations topped the list.
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