Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
    Nostalgia Central
    • Home
    • Blog
      • Lists
      • Playlists
    • Television
      • Shows by Decade
        • 1950s Television
        • 1960s Television
        • 1970s Television
        • 1980s Television
        • 1990s Television
      • Shows by Genre
        • Comedy
        • Drama
        • Kids TV
        • Variety
        • News & Sport
        • Advertisements
      • Shows by Country
        • UK TV
        • USA TV
        • Australia & NZ TV
        • Canada TV
        • Europe TV
        • Japan TV
      • Shows A to K
        • Shows A
        • Shows B
        • Shows C
        • Shows D
        • Shows E
        • Shows F
        • Shows G
        • Shows H
        • Shows I
        • Shows J
        • Shows K
      • Shows L to Z
        • Shows L
        • Shows M
        • Shows N
        • Shows O
        • Shows P
        • Shows Q
        • Shows R
        • Shows S
        • Shows T
        • Shows U
        • Shows V
        • Shows W
        • Shows X
        • Shows Y
        • Shows Z
      • Shows 0 to 9
    • Music
      • Music by Decade
        • 1950s Music
        • 1960s Music
        • 1970s Music
        • 1980s Music
        • 1990s Music
      • Music A to K
        • Music A
        • Music B
        • Music C
        • Music D
        • Music E
        • Music F
        • Music G
        • Music H
        • Music I
        • Music J
        • Music K
      • Music L to Z
        • Music L
        • Music M
        • Music N
        • Music O
        • Music P
        • Music Q
        • Music R
        • Music S
        • Music T
        • Music U
        • Music V
        • Music W
        • Music X
        • Music Y
        • Music Z
      • Music 0 to 9
      • Genres
      • Music on Film & TV
      • One-Hit Wonders
      • Online Radio
    • Movies
      • Movies by Decade
        • 1950s Movies
        • 1960s Movies
        • 1970s Movies
        • 1980s Movies
        • 1990s Movies
      • Movies by Country
        • UK Movies
        • USA Movies
        • Australia & NZ Movies
        • Canada Movies
        • Europe Movies
        • Japan Movies
      • Movies A to K
        • Movies A
        • Movies B
        • Movies C
        • Movies D
        • Movies E
        • Movies F
        • Movies G
        • Movies H
        • Movies I
        • Movies J
        • Movies K
      • Movies L to Z
        • Movies L
        • Movies M
        • Movies N
        • Movies O
        • Movies P
        • Movies Q
        • Movies R
        • Movies S
        • Movies T
        • Movies U
        • Movies V
        • Movies W
        • Movies X
        • Movies Y
        • Movies Z
      • Movies 0 to 9
    • Pop Culture
      • Fads
      • Toys & Games
      • Fashion
      • Decor
      • Food & Drink
      • People
      • Radio
      • Technology
      • Transport
    • Social History
      • 1950s Year by Year
      • 1960s Year by Year
      • 1970s Year by Year
      • 1980s Year by Year
      • 1990s Year by Year
      • Events
    Nostalgia Central
    Home»Television»Shows by Decade»1990s Television
    1990s Television Comedy Drama Shows B UK TV 3 Mins Read

    Ballykissangel

    Share
    Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email

    1 9 9 6 – 2 0 0 1 (UK)

    Father Peter Clifford, an enthusiastic but naive Roman Catholic priest, knew that his new posting to St Joseph’s church in the town of Ballykissangel (he was transferred from Manchester, England) would be a trying experience from the moment he set eyes on the community.

    His superior, Father MacAnally, like the rest of the neighbourhood, was a traditionalist and had not moved with the times, and the people of the town were God-fearing but loathed the clergy.

    The archetypal fish out of water, this modern-thinking priest quickly needed to grasp the off-beat logic of the colourful townsfolk and learn all about their different way of life. To do so, he leant heavily on the town’s feisty publican, Assumpta Fitzgerald, landlady of Fitzgerald’s Bar.

    Their relationship was stormy but always threatened to break into romance, with all the complications that an affair between a priest and a publican could bring. Even Assumpta’s marriage to journalist Leo failed to break the undeclared bond that existed between her and the priest.

    Clifford also needed to come to terms with town’s Mr Big, the conniving Brian Quigley, the only man (apart from Clifford) with an eye to the future – not to mention a fast punt.

    After three hugely successful seasons stars Stephen Tompkinson and Dervla Kirwan decided to leave the series.

    After a traumatic finale in which Peter expressed his feelings for Assumpta, only to see her die in his arms after electrocution, the priest decided to seek pastures new.

    His position at the church was filled by former monk Father Aidan O’Connell, but more attention was given to other new arrivals; unpopular widower Sean Dillon, a self-made man returning home after 20 years; his 17-year-old daughter Emma; and Orla, the new priest’s attractive but worldly-wise sister. Fitzgerald’s Bar was bought by Quigley.

    The series was the brainchild of former Tomorrow’s World presenter Kieran Prendiville, who also scripted many episodes. It drew comparisons with the American series Northern Exposure, so similar was its premise of a stranded man struggling to cope in a totally alien, and rather kooky, environment.

    Although loosely based on clerical goings-on in the real-life village of Ballykissanne, County Kerry, where Prendiville spent holidays as a child, Ballykissangel was filmed in Avoca, a sleepy County Wicklow town that soon became a major tourist attraction.

    Father Peter Clifford
    Stephen Tompkinson
    Assumpta Fitzgerald
    Dervla Kirwan
    Brian Quigley
    Tony Doyle
    Father MacAnally
    Niall Toibin
    Niamh Quigley/Egan
    Tina Kellegher
    Ambrose Egan
    Peter Hanly
    Brendan Kearney
    Gary Whelan
    Padraig O’Kelly
    Peter Caffrey
    Siobhan Mehigan/Kearney
    Deidre Donnelly
    Leo
    Jimmy Nesbitt
    Liam
    Joe Savino
    Kathleen
    Aine Ni Mhuiri
    Donal
    Frankie McCafferty
    Eamon
    Birdy Sweeney
    Sean Dillon
    Lorcan Cranitch
    Emma Dillon
    Kate McEnery
    Father Aidan O’Connell
    Don Wycherley
    Orla O’Connell
    Victoria Smurfit

    Related Posts

    • First of the Summer Wine
      First of the Summer Wine
      1 9 8 8 - 1 9 8 9 (UK) 13 x 30 minute episodes Set just before World War II,…
    • Father Dear Father In Australia
      Father Dear Father In Australia
      1 9 7 8 (Australia) 14 x 30 minute episodes Five years after the last Father, Dear Father was made by Thames Television,…
    • Thicker Than Water
      Thicker Than Water
      1 9 6 9 (UK) 7 x 30 minute episodes The fate of this comedy series hung in the balance…
    • Father Dowling Mysteries, The
      Father Dowling Mysteries, The
      1 9 8 9 - 1 9 9 1 (USA) 43 x 45 minute episodes Amiable, unassuming Catholic priest Father Frank…
    • Bless Me Father
      Bless Me Father
      1 9 7 8 - 1 9 8 1 (UK) 21 x 30 minute episodes When newly ordained young curate Father…
    • Father Brown
      Father Brown
      1 9 7 4 (UK) 13 x 60 minute episodes 15-years before Father Dowling began investigating, this quaint, period series featured…
    • In The Beginning
      In The Beginning
      1 9 7 8 (USA) 9 x 30 minute episodes Father Daniel Cleary (McLean Stevenson) was a pompous, conservative Irish Catholic…
    • Wichita Town
      Wichita Town
      1 9 5 9 - 1 9 6 0 (USA) In the decade following the Civil War the town of…

    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest WhatsApp Reddit Email
    Previous ArticleButterflies
    Next Article Barbara

    Comments are closed.

    A Labour of Love

    Nostalgia Central has been a labour of love for me since 1998.

    If you find the site informative or enjoyable, please consider a donation – no matter how small – to help me with the running costs of the site and ensure I can keep Nostalgia Central running for your entertainment and education.

    Thank you so much, and please enjoy your trip in the time machine!
    Follow us
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    You May Also Like
    • American Werewolf In London, An (1981)
      The archetypal wolf fable, An American Werewolf in […]
    • One-Hit Wonders
      For many aspiring singers and bands, the one-off hit can be a […]
    • Six Bridges to Cross (1955)
      Young Boston gang leader Jerry Florea (Sal Mineo) is shot […]
    • Psychotic Turnbuckles, The
      With early ties to The Hard-Ons (rhythm guitarist Jay ‘El […]
    • Ed Wynn Show, The
      1 9 5 8 (USA) 16 x 30 minute episodes Elderly John Beamer (Ed […]
    • Kraütrock
      For those who were there in 1971, the shock of […]
    Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

    OUR LATEST FACEBOOK POSTS

    60 years of Billy Liar: how the Bradford locations have changed today ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    60 years of Billy Liar: how the Bradford locations have changed today

    theb.fi

    Not everything is at it seems about the shooting locations for this classic story of a Yorkshire daydreamer.
    3 days ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 7
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    “I’ll tell you what Charlie, there’s always been a Holroyd at Holroyd’s mill and by god there always will be” Love this film.

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-coventry-warwickshire-65006801 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Terry Hall: Coventry scooter ride-out pays tribute to singer

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Hundreds of people ride through Coventry on what would have been the singer's 64th birthday.
    1 week ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    metro.co.uk/2023/03/13/the-whos-roger-daltrey-thinks-theres-no-point-releasing-an-album-18434779/ ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    The Who's Roger Daltrey thinks there's 'no point' releasing another album

    metro.co.uk

    Bad luck.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cambridgeshire-64963359 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Sir Michael Caine's first Rolls Royce sells at Duxford for £120K

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The Italian Job actor hired a chauffeur to drive the 1968 Silver Shadow, with its doors still intact.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 3
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64900348 ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Mystic Meg: Astrologer dies aged 80

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The TV star, whose real name was Margaret Lake, was a well-known TV figure in the 1990s.
    2 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 1
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Do you think she know it eas going to happen

    PlayTalk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay

    Talk Teletext (1976) | BFI Replay ... See MoreSee Less

    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 8
    • Shares: 2
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71.
    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Gary Rossington: Lynyrd Skynyrd's last founding member dies aged 71

    www.bbc.co.uk

    Guitarist Gary Rossington had survived a 1977 air crash that killed several of his bandmates.
    3 weeks ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 2
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    What a talented man. Lucky enough to see original band in concert. BRILLIANT.

    Rest in peace Dickie Davies. An absolute giant of British sports broadcasting.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Dickie Davies, World of Sport presenter, dies at 94

    www.theguardian.com

    The broadcaster became something of a cult figure after fronting the ITV show for 20 years
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 4
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 1

    Comment on Facebook

    Yes, one of the great presenters. R.I.P.

    For fans of the radio series Round The Horne (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty close to the edge, even by modern standards. Bona! 

https://open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA

    For fans of the radio series "Round The Horne" (1965 - 1968) - starring the inimitable Kenneth Williams - there are several full episodes on Spotify. Some of the humour is still pretty "close to the edge", even by modern standards. Bona!

    open.spotify.com/show/7DIM1wfGKwDis0uzsjHeP7?si=pG0_U0TjRKGzVDvrePs4vA
    ... See MoreSee Less

    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 12
    • Shares: 1
    • Comments: 2

    Comment on Facebook

    For those interested, the complete “Jules and Sandy” is available on Audible…

    Bona to vada your jolly old eek. Lovely riah....

    RIP the beautiful Stella Stevens, who has died at the age of 84.

    ... See MoreSee Less

    Link thumbnail

    Stella Stevens: Nutty Professor and Poseidon Adventure star dies at 84

    www.bbc.co.uk

    The co-star of Elvis Presley also worked in TV on series such as Murder She Wrote and Magnum, P.I.
    1 month ago
    View on Facebook
    · Share
    Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email
    View Comments
    • Likes: 0
    • Shares: 0
    • Comments: 0

    Comment on Facebook

    Load more
    Please note


    Nostalgia Central covers the period 1950 to 1999 and contains some words and references which reflect the attitudes of those times and which may be considered culturally sensitive, offensive or inappropriate today.
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    Search Nostalgia Central
    Tag Cloud
    Action Figures Amicus Arcade games Australia Beach movies Beatles Blaxploitation Board games British Invasion Britpop Bubblegum music Canada Civil rights Cold War Computer games Crime Disc Jockeys Disco Disney Doo-Wop Elvis Presley Folk rock Girl groups Glam Goth Hammer Heavy Metal Irwin Allen James Bond JFK Kraütrock Labels Madchester Merseybeat Mod revival Motown New Romantic New Wave New Zealand Nixon Northern Soul NWOBHM Oi! One-hit wonders Politics Power Pop Prog rock Pub rock Punk Radio Reggae Rolling Stones Scotland Ska Ska revival Skiffle Soul music Space Race Sport Surf music Video games Vietnam war
    Copyright © 1998, 2023 Nostalgia Central. Run by volunteers. Funded by donations.
    • About Nostalgia Central
    • Contact
    • FAQ

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.