How to Watch An Irish Story: This Is My Home on Netflix in the US with a VPN (2026)

An Irish Story: This Is My Home (2020) is listed in the German Netflix catalog as of November 14, 2026. Directed by Karl Nickoley, this documentary follows Irish immigrant musicians Dave Browne and Dave Rooney, known as The Black Donnellys, as they attempt to set a world record by performing in all 50 US states within 40 days. The documentary also explores Irish immigration, music, and cultural identity in America. Netflix Germany maintains an official movie page for the film, which also carries the original title This Is My Home.

The documentary is not currently listed on Netflix US. However, Netflix Germany lists the movie, and Private Internet Access (PIA), ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all provide German VPN server connections. These services offer options in cities such as Berlin and Frankfurt, allowing subscribers to establish connections with German IP addresses. A German VPN connection does not automatically provide access to the German Netflix catalog.

Netflix can detect VPN connections and may limit users to movies and shows with worldwide streaming rights. Therefore, connecting to Germany does not guarantee that An Irish Story: This Is My Home will appear or play. Netflix also does not support VPN connections on ad-supported subscriptions. Review Netflix’s official VPN policy and your VPN provider’s terms before attempting to access regional content.

How to watch An Irish Story: This Is My Home on Netflix with a VPN

Netflix Germany lists the documentary, but access from the United States depends on Netflix’s regional licensing arrangements, VPN detection, subscription restrictions, and applicable service terms. Follow these steps to check a German VPN connection and determine whether Netflix permits playback.

1. Choose a VPN provider. Private Internet Access ranks first in this comparison, followed by ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Review each provider’s usage restrictions before attempting to access regional content.
2. Download and install the VPN application from the provider’s official website. Launch the application and sign in using your VPN account.
3. Connect to Germany. PIA offers Berlin, Frankfurt, and Germany Streaming Optimized. ExpressVPN lists several German locations, while NordVPN offers automatic server selection and individual German city options.
4. Fully close Netflix. Exit the application or close all browser tabs running Netflix to end the previous browsing session.
5. Reopen Netflix after establishing the VPN connection. Confirm that your VPN application reports an active connection to Germany.
6. Sign in to your existing Netflix account. A VPN connection does not automatically change your Netflix subscription, payment details, or account credentials.
7. Search for An Irish Story: This Is My Home. You can also try the documentary’s original title, This Is My Home, if the complete title produces no results.
8. Start playback if Netflix displays the documentary and allows viewing under your subscription, location, and applicable service terms.

Netflix Germany identifies the film as a 2020 music documentary featuring Dave Browne and Dave Rooney. Its listing includes English original audio and subtitles in languages including English and German. JustWatch reports a running time of approximately 89 minutes.

You can check the German Netflix listing for An Irish Story: This Is My Home before opening the application. The official listing and JustWatch Germany support the documentary’s regional availability, but they cannot guarantee playback through a VPN from another country.

If Netflix does not display the documentary, the platform may have recognized the VPN connection. Regional licensing changes, profile maturity settings, and language preferences can also affect search results. A successful VPN connection does not necessarily mean Netflix will provide access to every title in the selected country’s library.

Best VPNs for watching An Irish Story: This Is My Home on Netflix

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN provide German server coverage with different location choices and connection technologies. The following comparison summarizes their officially documented German options for permitted streaming and secure internet access.

VPN	Server locations in Germany	Option to try first
Private Internet Access (Editor’s Choice)	DE Berlin, DE Frankfurt, DE Germany Streaming Optimized	DE Germany Streaming Optimized for permitted local streaming, or DE Frankfurt for a standard connection
ExpressVPN	Berlin, Frankfurt – 1, Frankfurt – 3, Nuremberg	Frankfurt – 1
NordVPN	288 advertised servers across three German locations; Berlin and Frankfurt explicitly documented	Automatic German server selection

These locations reflect official provider documentation available in November 2026. Server counts, connection labels, and network availability may change. None of these VPNs guarantees that Netflix will allow a US subscriber to access An Irish Story: This Is My Home through a German connection.

1. Private Internet Access

Private Internet Access is the Editor’s Choice because it offers two documented German city locations, a dedicated streaming-optimized connection, and support for both WireGuard and OpenVPN. These features provide flexibility for users who want to protect their internet activity and stream content permitted under the relevant platform’s terms.

According to PIA’s official server directory, Germany has three selectable entries: DE Berlin, DE Frankfurt, and DE Germany Streaming Optimized.

DE Germany Streaming Optimized is the specialized option for users streaming content they are authorized to access in Germany. PIA introduced additional streaming-optimized locations during 2026, expanding its network across Europe and other regions.

The company explains that its streaming locations receive additional monitoring and testing for streaming performance. However, selecting a streaming-optimized server does not guarantee access to a specific Netflix regional catalog.

To select a German location, open the PIA application and click the VPN SERVER section. Search for Germany, Berlin, or Frankfurt. Choose the appropriate server entry and click the connection button to establish the encrypted VPN tunnel.

PIA’s official streaming instructions explain how to find specialized locations by entering streaming in the server search field. PIA instructs subscribers to select a server in their physical country when accessing streaming services.

For ordinary German connections, DE Frankfurt offers a reasonable starting point. DE Berlin provides an alternative for comparing latency, connection reliability, and server congestion. The specialized German streaming entry serves users who need permitted local streaming.

PIA supports WireGuard and OpenVPN. WireGuard generally provides an efficient VPN connection with relatively low protocol overhead, making it useful for activities that require consistent download speeds. OpenVPN offers an established alternative for networks where the default protocol encounters problems.

Users can change protocols in the PIA application by opening Settings and selecting Protocols. Choose WireGuard or OpenVPN, disconnect from the current server, and reconnect to test the new configuration.

Server performance depends on the subscriber’s internet connection, local network congestion, routing, and geographical distance. Connecting from the United States to Germany may increase latency compared with a nearby American server. A faster VPN protocol cannot eliminate all delays associated with international routing.

PIA also distinguishes physical and virtual server locations. Its virtual server documentation explains that some locations assign an IP address from one country while routing traffic through equipment physically hosted elsewhere.

Germany does not appear as a virtual location in PIA’s published list. Its documentation therefore does not identify the standard German location as a foreign-hosted virtual server. However, the directory does not establish the physical address of every individual server.

If websites fail to load or connections become unstable, PIA recommends clearing cached browser data, disconnecting and reconnecting, updating the application, or trying a different supported VPN protocol.

The company’s website troubleshooting guide also recommends choosing a server appropriate to the service and the user’s actual location.

One restriction is particularly important for this article. PIA explicitly prohibits using its service to circumvent geographic restrictions imposed by content providers. Accordingly, PIA’s first-place ranking reflects its German network and privacy features, not permission to bypass Netflix’s regional licensing rules.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN ranks second because it offers several German connection options, modern VPN protocols, and high-capacity server infrastructure. Its German network provides more documented city choices than PIA’s standard German location list.

According to the ExpressVPN server directory, Germany has four named server entries: Germany – Berlin, Germany – Frankfurt – 1, Germany – Frankfurt – 3, and Germany – Nuremberg.

Frankfurt – 1 is a sensible starting point for a standard German connection. Frankfurt – 3 provides an alternative in the same city, while Berlin and Nuremberg offer additional geographic choices.

To connect, launch ExpressVPN and open the server-location selector. Search for Germany, then choose a documented German location. Confirm the selection and activate the VPN connection.

ExpressVPN also offers Smart Location, which automatically recommends a connection based on network conditions. However, Smart Location does not necessarily select Germany. Users who specifically need a German IP address should choose Germany manually.

The company supports Lightway UDP, Lightway TCP, WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, and IKEv2 on its documented German server entries. Protocol availability varies according to the operating system and application version.

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol, designed to support efficient connections and maintain stability when network conditions change. WireGuard provides another modern option, while OpenVPN can help troubleshoot compatibility problems.

For most users, ExpressVPN recommends leaving protocol selection on Automatic. The application can then choose a supported protocol based on the connection environment.

ExpressVPN also documents upgraded 40Gbps infrastructure in Frankfurt – 1 and Nuremberg. These figures describe available server capacity rather than guaranteed individual download speeds. Actual performance depends on network congestion, the subscriber’s internet connection, and other routing conditions.

The ExpressVPN Germany page provides additional information about its German network, supported devices, and connection features.

Physical server hosting is another consideration. ExpressVPN’s virtual server documentation explains that most of its locations use servers physically hosted in the country associated with the IP address.

Germany does not appear on the company’s published virtual-location list. ExpressVPN identifies locations absent from that list as physically hosted within their specified countries. It does not disclose the exact data-center address of every German server.

If a connection suffers from high latency or poor speeds, users can compare Frankfurt – 1 with Frankfurt – 3, Berlin, or Nuremberg. Changing protocols or restarting the application may also help diagnose unstable VPN connections.

Browser-related problems sometimes involve outdated cookies or cached website information. Closing the browser and clearing relevant site data may resolve those issues, although it does not override streaming restrictions.

Netflix can still detect an ExpressVPN connection and limit the available catalog. Selecting a different German server or a faster protocol does not guarantee access to An Irish Story: This Is My Home.

ExpressVPN also requires subscribers to comply with applicable laws and third-party service terms. Its German server coverage should not be interpreted as permission to bypass content-provider restrictions.

3. NordVPN

NordVPN ranks third and provides a substantial German server network, automatic location selection, NordLynx, and SmartPlay functionality. These features offer flexibility for users seeking secure connections and permitted streaming.

According to NordVPN’s official Germany server page, the company advertises 288 German servers across three locations as of November 2026.

The same page explicitly documents Berlin and Frankfurt as selectable German cities. Although NordVPN reports three German locations, its published guidance does not clearly identify the third location, so this article does not invent an additional city.

NordVPN’s automatic server selection is a convenient starting point. Open the application, select Germany on the map or country list, and allow the service to choose a suitable German server.

For manual selection, open the three-dot menu next to Germany and choose an available location such as Berlin or Frankfurt. NordVPN’s algorithm also considers network conditions when recommending servers.

NordVPN uses NordLynx, its implementation of the WireGuard protocol. NordLynx focuses on maintaining efficient encrypted connections while reducing unnecessary protocol overhead.

The service also includes SmartPlay. According to NordVPN’s SmartPlay documentation, the feature activates automatically when a subscriber connects through the NordVPN application.

SmartPlay combines IP address masking, encryption, and DNS-related functionality to support secure streaming. Users do not need to install a separate application or activate SmartPlay manually.

NordVPN distinguishes SmartPlay from standalone SmartDNS. SmartDNS changes DNS-related settings but does not provide the same encrypted VPN tunnel. SmartPlay works as part of the complete NordVPN connection.

However, SmartPlay does not guarantee that Netflix will make regionally licensed movies available. Netflix may identify the VPN and show only titles with worldwide streaming rights.

If NordVPN encounters connection problems, subscribers can disconnect, reconnect automatically, or manually choose another German server. Restarting the application and verifying the current protocol may also help.

NordVPN supports additional specialty connections, including Double VPN and obfuscated servers, for particular privacy or network requirements. These features do not establish special permission to access restricted Netflix titles.

For streaming performance, NordVPN recommends selecting an appropriate server and maintaining a stable underlying internet connection. Connections between the US and Germany may involve higher latency than domestic routing, regardless of the selected VPN protocol.

NordVPN’s Netflix troubleshooting guide provides additional checks for subscribers encountering connection or playback problems.

NordVPN also instructs users not to circumvent existing copyright regulations. Its German server network and SmartPlay technology cannot guarantee access to An Irish Story: This Is My Home through Netflix.

What to do if An Irish Story: This Is My Home does not appear

If Netflix does not display An Irish Story: This Is My Home, the problem may involve VPN detection, regional licensing, outdated browser information, or profile settings. The following steps can help diagnose ordinary connection and account issues.

1. Close Netflix completely. Exit the Netflix application or close every browser tab associated with the streaming service.
2. Disconnect from the VPN. Confirm that the application no longer reports an active connection.
3. Reconnect to Germany if that connection complies with the VPN provider’s and Netflix’s applicable terms.
4. Try another German server or location to diagnose connection stability. This does not guarantee access to a restricted regional catalog.
5. Clear Netflix cookies and browser cache to remove outdated session information.
6. Open an incognito or private browser window to determine whether existing browser data is interfering with the website.
7. Reopen Netflix and sign in using your existing account. Make sure you have selected the intended profile.
8. Search for An Irish Story: This Is My Home again. You can also search for This Is My Home, the documentary’s original title.

PIA users can compare DE Berlin and DE Frankfurt for standard connection performance. The DE Germany Streaming Optimized entry provides an option for permitted local streaming, but PIA prohibits circumventing geographic restrictions.

ExpressVPN users can compare Frankfurt – 1, Frankfurt – 3, Berlin, and Nuremberg when troubleshooting VPN connectivity. Switching to a supported alternative protocol may also resolve unstable connections.

NordVPN users can select another available German server or allow its automatic connection system to choose a suitable endpoint. NordLynx and SmartPlay operate independently of Netflix’s content licensing requirements.

Netflix’s missing movie troubleshooting guide identifies geographic licensing, VPN connections, profile maturity restrictions, and language preferences as possible reasons a movie does not appear.

For this documentary, searching the alternate title This Is My Home may help identify the correct listing. The film follows Dave Browne and Dave Rooney, so checking the description can also help distinguish it from similarly named productions.

If Netflix continues to hide the documentary, changing VPN servers may not solve the problem. Netflix recommends disabling VPN connections when they interfere with normal viewing. Viewers can also check legitimate US streaming alternatives.

Netflix may detect the VPN

A VPN changes the public IP address visible to websites by routing traffic through a remote server. Connecting to a German VPN location generally causes websites to see the VPN server’s German IP address instead of the subscriber’s usual American address.

However, Netflix does not automatically provide access to another country’s complete catalog based solely on the apparent IP address. The company maintains different licensing agreements across countries and uses systems that can recognize VPN and proxy connections.

According to Netflix’s official VPN guidance, subscribers using a VPN may see only movies and shows that Netflix licenses worldwide.

This means An Irish Story: This Is My Home could remain absent from search results even when a VPN successfully establishes a German connection. Subscribers may also encounter playback restrictions or VPN-related error messages.

Netflix recommends turning off VPN connections when they interfere with access to content available in the subscriber’s actual region.

Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN cannot guarantee access to the German Netflix catalog. Server capacity, protocol selection, DNS features, and connection performance do not eliminate Netflix’s licensing restrictions.

Can you use a Netflix ad-supported plan with a VPN?

No. Netflix explicitly states that its ad-supported experience does not support VPN connections. This restriction applies regardless of whether subscribers use PIA, ExpressVPN, or NordVPN.

Users may encounter error E121 or a message requesting that they disconnect their VPN or proxy. Netflix recommends turning off the VPN to restore normal playback under an ad-supported plan.

An ad-free subscription avoids that specific restriction, but it does not guarantee access to Germany’s Netflix catalog. Netflix can still recognize VPN connections and limit the available titles.

Read Netflix’s ad-supported VPN guidance for additional information about these restrictions and the company’s recommended solutions.

Does changing the VPN location change your Netflix account?

No. A German VPN connection changes the public IP address visible to websites, but it does not automatically modify your Netflix account credentials, profiles, password, subscription plan, or billing details.

Netflix maintains different national catalogs because the rights to distribute movies and television shows vary by region. A documentary listed in Germany may not appear in the United States.

According to Netflix’s account country guidance, subscribers cannot simply change their account country without moving. Netflix may also restrict regional titles when it recognizes VPN traffic.

For American viewers who want An Irish Story: This Is My Home without relying on international Netflix access, JustWatch US lists streaming alternatives, including Amazon Prime Video, along with several free ad-supported services. Availability, subscription requirements, and prices may change.

Which VPN should you use?

Private Internet Access ranks first as the Editor’s Choice because it offers DE Berlin, DE Frankfurt, and DE Germany Streaming Optimized, along with WireGuard and OpenVPN support. Its documented German network provides flexibility for standard connections and permitted local streaming. However, PIA explicitly prohibits circumventing geographic restrictions imposed by content providers, and users must comply with its terms.

ExpressVPN ranks second with four named German server entries, including Berlin, Frankfurt – 1, Frankfurt – 3, and Nuremberg, plus Lightway, WireGuard, and OpenVPN support. NordVPN ranks third with 288 advertised German servers across three locations, automatic selection, NordLynx, and SmartPlay. Both services provide useful privacy and connection features, but neither guarantees access to regionally licensed Netflix movies.

As of November 14, 2026, An Irish Story: This Is My Home (2020) appears in Netflix Germany’s catalog but not Netflix US. Netflix’s German title pages and JustWatch Germany support its regional listing, although streaming catalogs can change. Netflix’s licensing restrictions, VPN detection, subscription requirements, and provider terms mean that a German VPN connection cannot guarantee playback from the United States.