Amazon.com video review:
When Father Peter Clifford (Peter Tompkinson) comes from
Manchester to the small Irish village of Ballykissangel, he knows he
will be facing some opposition. After all, what is an English priest
doing in Ireland, of all places? He soon finds out that the town of
Ballykissangel poses many more challenges than just accepting the
unfamiliar priest. The delightfully mischievous cast of characters
include Brian Quigley, the local businessman and entrepreneur, Donal
and Liam, his faithful sidekicks, Siobhan, the frequently prescient
veterinarian, and the tough owner of Fitzgerald's Bar, Assumpta. As
the characters become more familiar throughout the series, their
tribulations and triumphs are all the more realistic. The intricate
characterizations, beautiful scenery, and delightfully dry humor
ensure that fans of the English series All Creatures Great and
Small will also enjoy Ballykissangel, and savor its
distinctly Irish twist.
In the first episode of the series, "Trying to Connect You," before
Father Clifford has a chance to arrive in the town of Ballykissangel,
the bus he is riding is almost smashed to bits by a huge wooden box.
He soon finds out that this box contains welcome gift from Brian
Quigley, Ballykissangel's occasionally misguided preeminent
businessman. The second episode, The Things We Do for Love,
finds a blast from Father Clifford's past arriving in town. The local
football match is gearing up and takes on more importance than ever as
Father Clifford and Assumpta team up to save a family from being
evicted. --Amanda Powter
Amazon.com video review:
When Father Peter Clifford (Peter Tompkinson) comes from
Manchester to the small Irish village of Ballykissangel, he knows he
will be facing some opposition. After all, what is an English priest
doing in Ireland, of all places? He soon finds out that the town of
Ballykissangel poses many more challenges than just accepting the
unfamiliar priest. The delightfully mischievous cast of characters
include Brian Quigley, the local businessman and entrepreneur, Donal
and Liam, his faithful sidekicks, Siobhan, the frequently prescient
veterinarian, and the tough owner of Fitzgerald's Bar, Assumpta. As
the characters become more familiar throughout the series, their
tribulations and triumphs are all the more realistic. The intricate
characterizations, beautiful scenery, and delightfully dry humor
ensure that fans of the English series All Creatures Great and
Small will also enjoy Ballykissangel, and savor its
distinctly Irish twist.
Brian Quigley's daughter, Niamh, is set to wed Ambrose, the earnest
village guard, in the third episode of the Ballykissangel
series, "Live in My Heart and Pay No Rent." A falling statue of John
the Evangelist seems to have different plans for the groom and causes
Ambrose to choose a different path. An even more pressing crisis is
affecting Brendan, Bally's only remaining faithful (Guinness) stout
drinker, as Assumpta decides not to offer the quintessential Irish
drink on tap any more. "Fallen Angel" finds a pirate radio station,
Angel FM, and its DJ broadcasting hip tunes, wisecracks, and local
gossip in an atrocious American accent over the town. When the DJ
reveals that it's Father Clifford's birthday, Assumpta thinks up a
gift that will surely get things rolling. --Amanda Powter
Amazon.com video review:
When Father Peter Clifford (Peter Tompkinson) comes from
Manchester to the small Irish village of Ballykissangel, he knows he
will be facing some opposition. After all, what is an English priest
doing in Ireland, of all places? He soon finds out that the town of
Ballykissangel poses many more challenges than just accepting the
unfamiliar priest. The delightfully mischievous cast of characters
include Brian Quigley, the local businessman and entrepreneur, Donal
and Liam, his faithful sidekicks, Siobhan, the frequently prescient
veterinarian, and the tough owner of Fitzgerald's Bar, Assumpta. As
the characters become more familiar throughout the series, their
tribulations and triumphs are all the more realistic. The intricate
characterizations, beautiful scenery, and delightfully dry humor
ensure that fans of the English series All Creatures Great and
Small will also enjoy Ballykissangel, and savor its
distinctly Irish twist.
"The Power and the Glory," the fifth episode in the
Ballykissangel series is a bit tense for many of the
characters. Brian Quigley decides to run in the local election against
the aspiring crematorium-builder, Sean Dooley. With Brian spending the
money that might otherwise pay for his daughter's upcoming wedding and
having the full support of Father MacAnally, not much could stand in
Quigley's way. That is, until an old flame of Assumpta's--a
journalist--starts digging around and causing all sorts of trouble.
In the sixth and last episode of the season, "Missing You Already,"
Father Clifford finds out he is about to be sent back to England.
Meanwhile, Assumpta is busy coping with the impending competition of
Quigley's Bar and Grill, which is moving in for the local festival and
possibly longer. And finally, the happy couple of Niamh and Ambrose
are getting married. This could be the end for the English priest in
the small Irish town. --Amanda Powter
