"Ballykissangel" (1996) TV series 1996-2001

User Rating:

7.8/10   

Creator:

Kieran Prendiville

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6

Release Date:

11 February 1996 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama

Plot:

An English priest is transfered to a small Irish village

Plot Keywords:

Priest | Schoolteacher | Catholic Priest | Farmer | Ireland

Awards:

6 wins & 12 nominations

Cast

Frankie McCafferty	...	Donal / ... (58 episodes, 1996-2001)
Joe Savino	...	Liam / ... (58 episodes, 1996-2001)
Deirdre Donnelly	...	Siobhan / ... (56 episodes, 1996-2001)
Gary Whelan	...	Brendan / ... (55 episodes, 1996-2001)
Aine Ni Mhuiri	...	Kathleen / ... (53 episodes, 1996-2001)
Niall Toibin	...	Father MacAnally / ... (52 episodes, 1996-2001)
Tina Kellegher	...	Niamh Egan / ... (49 episodes, 1996-2001)
Tony Doyle	...	Brian Quigley / ... (46 episodes, 1996-1999)
Peter Hanly	...	Ambrose Egan / ... (38 episodes, 1996-1999)
Bosco Hogan	...	Dr. Michael Ryan / ... (38 episodes, 1996-2001)
Birdy Sweeney	...	Eamon / ... (34 episodes, 1996-1999)
Peter Caffrey	...	Padraig / ... (33 episodes, 1996-1998)
Lorcan Cranitch	...	Sean Dillon / ... (24 episodes, 1998-1999)
Don Wycherley	...	Father Aidan O'Connell / ... (24 episodes, 1998-1999)
Victoria Smurfit	...	Orla / ... (24 episodes, 1998-1999)

Runtime:

50 min

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Avoca, County Wicklow, Ireland

Company:

BBC Northern Ireland

Trivia:

Tony Doyle, who starred as Brian Quigley in the first five seasons, was father to Susannah Doyle, who appeared as Avril Burke in the sixth.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Comedy Connections: Drop the Dead Donkey (#4.3)" (2006)

It could happen next door

For some time now, I am following the TV-series "Ballykissangel". Why? Simply because it´s one of the few TV-series which is worth being watched: no unnecessary violence, no stupid, easy-to-see-through jokes, and a good storyline, combined with a set of good actors. I call this a real top british TV-product, and it´s a shame that the Dutch TV stations don´t show it on prime time! Ballykissangel is all about the life and complications of the people of a small irish village, where there has been assigned a new young catholic priest, which happens to be british. The main characters are the english priest, father Clifford, and the owner of a local pub, Assumpta, who gets sick from everything connected to the church. The fundamental differences of character of these two (Assumpta is verbally aggressive, sarcastic and sometimes even vicious, whereas Clifford is friendly, sweet, helpful, and unbelievably naive sometimes) result in a mutual love/hate relationship and neither of them knows what to do with it. Most episodes can be watched separately, however watching most of them gives you the best clue as to the development of the relationship of the main characters, or should I say, the non-development. However, it is very easy to identify yourself with one or more of the main characters. This, combined with the misunderstandings and tricks in every episode, makes it a joy to watch this series, time after time.