Viewers Were Heartbroken Watching ‘We Need To Talk About Dad’ Last Night

The first episode of RTÉ's new documentary We Need To Talk About Dad aired last night.

The doc follows the story of Irish fashion designer Brendan Courtney and his family as they weigh up all the options of caring for their father following his stroke.

From home care to nursing homes, they assessed each and every option available to them and discussed what they could and couldn't afford.

This is a reality for so many, and viewers found it striking, emotional, raw and very real.

The show really highlighted the immense pressure on carers of every form in Ireland.

Thanks to the Courtney family for this most important needed national conversation. #FairDeal = Mad @BrendanCourtney #weneedtotalkaboutdad
— Dr Eddie Murphy (@dreddiemurphy) January 16, 2017

@BrendanCourtney time to start a debate that is really needed we all need to talk now ! Thanks to you and your family #weneedtotalkaboutDad
— ethna murphy (@ethnamurphy) January 17, 2017

And thank you @BrendanCourtney for highlighting an issue faced by families across the country @RTEOne @SimonHarrisTD #WeNeedToTalkAboutDad https://t.co/xs8FE9firk
— Scott Hayes (@Swift1713) January 17, 2017

"To do the right thing for the people you love is the best thing you can do in your own life" @BrendanCourtney #WeNeedToTalkAboutDad
— Rachel McMahon (@MsRachelMc) January 16, 2017

#WeNeedToTalkAboutDad @BrendanCourtney Well done on really strong advocacy work. A situation that needs a lot of attention. Thank you.
— Julie Helen (@JulieMOLeary) January 17, 2017

Thank you @RTEOne @RTERadio1 for talking about carers, giving me voice last week @BrendanCourtney last night! #WeNeedToTalkAboutDad https://t.co/iLrvEbIQt6
— Tracy ???? ???????? ???????? (@AddressingLife) January 17, 2017

@BrendanCourtney just watched #WeNeedToTalkAboutDad thank you for sharing your family's story. #Fairdeal more like #unfairdeal #HSE
— Kevin O Brien (@OKevobrien) January 17, 2017

emotional & touching #WeNeedToTalkAboutDad thank U @BrendanCourtney 4sharing ur story, it's some people's story now & 4 others n the future
— Eamonn O’ Hara (@EamonnOHara8) January 17, 2017

Moved, annoyed, ready to support change,are u listening @SimonHarrisTD?Thanks @BrendanCourtney for starting the convo #WeNeedToTalkAboutDad
— Irish Running Person (@IrishRunningGir) January 17, 2017

#WeNeedToTalkAboutDad terribly upsetting ????
— Megan (@Megzrob) January 17, 2017

Very moving documentary tonight...well done @BrendanCourtney #talkaboutdad #WeNeedToTalkAboutDad
— Olivia King (@chuckles33) January 16, 2017

Very thought-provoking.

If you didn't see We Need To Talk About Dad last night you can watch it back on the RTÉ Player here.