Ballykissangel: The Complete Collection

Have a pint with the lively locals of Ballykissangel! The hopes, fears, romances and mysteries of the inhabitants of this misty Irish country town—including Colin Farrell (Alexander, Minority Report) in one of his earliest roles—captivated millions of TV viewers throughout the show’s legendary run. As each new parish priest discovers all too soon, these folks’ lives are anything but humdrum. Father Peter Clifford (Stephen Tompkinson, Wild at Heart) struggles to keep his parishioners from temptation while struggling with his own feelings for Assumpta (Dervla Kirwan, Casanova), the barkeep at Fitzgerald’s pub. When Father Aidan O’Connell (Don Wycherley, Father Ted) arrives straight from the monastery, his hands are already full without worrying about his sister Orla (Victoria Smurfit, About a Boy). With quirky characters, beautiful scenery and plenty of dry Irish wit, this delightful series “makes you want to give it all up and run a pub in Ireland” (Sydney Morning Herald). Includes all 58 episodes from seasons one through six.

Series 1
Trying to Connect to You - Father Clifford arrives in Ballykissangel and arouses much interest, especially since he left his old parish rather unexpectedly.

The Things We Do for Love - A young woman turns up to visit Fr. Clifford, causing comment and embarrassment. Father Clifford also arranges a football match.

Live in My Heart and Pay No Rent - Father Clifford tries to encourage reluctant groom Ambrose to marry his bride, Niamh, and Quigley is on the mountain waiting for his lost love.

Fallen Angel - Father Clifford meets his match over chess and disputation, in a cantankerous old atheist. Assumpta helps Fr. Clifford pass his driving test and Egan tries to close Angel FM.

The Power and the Glory - Quigley is standing in the by-election, but a visiting reporter has some dirt on him. But the dirt on the reporter is that he and Assumpta are old flames.

Missing You Already - Father Clifford may have made a few friends in Ballykissangel, but it seems he's not wanted at St. Joseph's. He learns that he's to be sent back to England and finds that no-one will miss him, not even Assumpta.

Series 2
For One Night Only - Sparks fly when Father Clifford casts Assumpta as the heroine in the village play. She objects to playing the love scenes, until a tall dark stranger arrives in town to take the romantic lead.

River Dance - Gold fever strikes the town when Enda is spotted panning for gold. Liam and Donal start a tourist scheme around the prospect while Father Clifford tries to save the job of a dedicated teacher.

In the Can - Father Clifford is experiencing a problem shared by many of his calling - he just can't seem to get young people into church. He decides that a bit of guitar strumming will have them queuing around the block, luckily, a musician is in town.

The Facts of Life - When a new born baby is left on Father Clifford's doorstep, he sets out to find the mother.

Someone to Watch Over Me - Quigley hires a new housekeeper despite his daughter's (Niamh) displeasure. A bunch of new tearaway kids arrive at the school and cause problems for schoolteacher, Brendan, and the shopkeeper, Kathleen.

Only Skin Deep - Quigley announces a beauty contest just as the beautiful Naomi comes to town claiming to be Eamonn's niece. Niamh and Fr. Clifford are having trouble with Con O'Neil, but maybe someone closer to home might be able to help.

Money, Money, Money - Kathleen's house is badly damaged by fire, but she has no insurance. A collection is started involving a flutter on dogs where Quigley is hoping to win. Father Clifford referees a poker game.

Chinese Whispers- The presence of two strangers in town causes consternation for those with something to hide...

Series 3
As Happy as a Turkey on Boxing Day - Christmas doesn't go quite as planned for the residents of Ballykissangel. Assumpta decides to close the pub for the day, much to the disgust of her regulars. Father Clifford looks like spending Christmas on his own, until he's enlisted to look after a new priest, Father Mac's nephew.

When a Child is Born - The prospect of Niamh's impending labour is too much for Ambrose, while Ambrose's mother is too much for Niamh. The church becomes the center of worshiping throngs when a statue starts sweating. Donal gets himself a girlfriend.

Changing Time - Quigley's new development plans cause uproar in the village when they discover the effects his new access road will have on the local wildlife. Ambrose is injured in the course of duty, leaving Niamh to cope with Kieran on her own.

Stardust in your Eyes - Quigley prepares to make a killing from the visiting Koreans, but he has staked all his worldy holdings on the development going forward. To try to curry favor with the visiting tycoons, Padraig hosts a 50s party.

The Fortune in Men's Eyes - Peter's absence gives Father Mac the idea that he doesn't need a curate, but the community feels differently. Quigley's business deal seems to have fallen through, then he takes an unusual interest in Ambrose's mother. Donal is shocked by news about Sue Ellen.

I Know When I'm Not Wanted - Peter returns from retreat to find himself homeless, while Assumpta startles the village with news about an old friend. Ambrose is on the trail of a burglar and the community pulls together to beat a rival pub quiz team.

Personal Call - Assumpta's women's group causes problems in the village. Peter has to step in to help Father Mac, whose pride has got the better of him. Niamh offers to help her father, but he is suspicious of her terms.

Lost Sheep - A young woman searching for her sister causes problems for Father Mac. Siobhan has some shocking news for Brendan and one of Eamonn's sheep has gone AWOL.

The Waiting Game - Lottery fever hits the village and the materialism makes everyone suspicious of each other. Father Mac is appalled by the behaviour of his bosses and Ambrose secures a major arrest.

Pack Up Your Troubles - Quigley's new business venture gets the community up in arms. A figure from Padraig's past puts him under enormous pressure and Kevin has a big decision to make.

The Reckoning - Peter has a lot on his mind and it forces him to face some facts. Assumpta has discovered that the wiring at Fitzgeralds is faulty. The Oriental Food Fair at the pub takes a tragic turn.

Amongst Friends - The village is still in shock and it's up to Peter to hold them together. He is annoyed when a journalist gets nosy and a face from Assumpta's past comes looking for answers.

Series 4
All Bar One - Niamh is suspicious of her father's attempts to buy Fitzgerald's. Her terms are that she should have complete control of the business. Meanwhile, the residents of BallyK await the arrival of the new priest while his sister out looking for him, and a bad penny from the past turns up again.

He Healeth the Sick - Father Aidan inadvertently performs a 'miracle' on a bed-ridden woman. Siobhan devotes her time to caring for an pregnant, injured vixen, brought in by Sean Dillon, who Eammon suspects of breeding foxes to kill his sheep. Niamh quits her job after Brian insists they change the name of the pub.

Bread and Water - Brendan is less than keen on Siobhan's chosen method of childbirth. Sean Dillon's teenage daughter arrives in the village and immediately cause an uproar. Father Aidan gets a crash course in monetary realities.

Par for the Course - Brian's dreams of the perfect golf course get an unexpected boost when Orla ropes in a difficult contact who may need buttering up. Father Aidan enjoys his first baptism after a tricky start when Brendan refuses to attend. A mysterious horseman causes a stir.

The Odd Couple - Donal's rescue of a former circus bear proves to be more than he can handle. Kevin secretly helps Sean Dillon to restore an old motorbike, but is soon found out. Brendan is finding life as an absent parent something of a strain.

Turf - There's great excitement as everyone prepares for the annual horse race on the beach. But Doc Ryan's traditional victory is threatened by the appearance of a mystery horse.

It's a family Affair - The opening of Brian's golf club doesn't go according to plan. Danny's horse causes problems for Emma. Orla reveals her choice among the men of Ballykissangel.

Rock Bottom - An ancient carving is discovered on Dillon's farm. Deserted by his son and unlucky in love, Padraig reaches an all time low and turns again to drink. His friends must help him get back on his feet. A satellite dish is installed at Fitzgerald's but instead of showing the football, an Argentine soap opera gets the regulars hooked.

As Stars Look Down - His former curate, Henry, who is now a bishop and will soon be promoted to the Vatican, visits Father Mac. Father Aidan has to take over in the role of bingo caller for the OAP bingo night, which is a formula for disaster.

Births, Deaths and Marriages - Siobhan and Brendan decide to get married in secret, but word gets out and Niamh organizes a surprise wedding reception - which doesn't go according to plan. Ambrose and Father Aidan have a night out bowling and get chatted up by the girls.

It's a Man's Life - Niamh leaves Ambrose holding the baby after a row. Quigley proves to be an excellent babysitter for Kieran and a good ear for Ambrose. Kathleen meets a visitor from her past - an old boyfriend. Donal comes up elaborate schemes to recover golf balls from a lake on the course.

The Final Frontier - There's a storm brewing over the village and the animals are restless. The strange happenings attract a UFO hunter, Uncle Minto, who recruits Liam and Donal in a plan to get himself abducted by aliens. Ambrose is furious with Dillon and goes to confront him. The storm hits and Dillon's farm is badly damaged.

Series 5
Two Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest - Has Quigley got what it takes to save the village's reputation? Niamh has her own set of worries.

Hello and Farewell - The village mourns the loss of a hero, while Orla might have met a hero of her own.

Catch of the Day - Niamh makes an important decision about her future, while Orla and Conor go on their first date.

Moving Out - Emma has had enough of her father's strange behavior towards Niamh, but what will Ballykissangel's gossips think of her moving in with Danny?

Eureka - When Ambrose's mother Imelda pays a visit, Niamh can't do anything to please her. The lure of an Australian gold mine leads Quigley into a race against time.

Behind Bars - Quigley bids farewell to Niamh and discovers that the new landlord of the pub is an enemy from the past.
Brendan's Crossing - When the headmaster's job becomes available, Brendan feels that it's time to improve himself.

A Few Dollars More - Dooley and Minto arrange a supply of illegal liquor, but are they really away from watchful eyes?

The Outsiders - Frankie finds her own brand of justice for Dooley.

With a Song in My Heart - Plans for the choir are not going well until a girl enchants Aidan with her voice.

Love's Labors - When Frankie and Aidan join forces for a wet day out, Aidan's reputation as a priest is compromised. Liam and Donal are the first to hear a big announcement from Niamh and Dillon.

The Wedding - Minto seizes his chance to give Dillon a stag party that he will never forget.

Series 6
God.com - The new Australian priest, Vincent Sheahan, arrives in Ballykissangel and immediately attracts controversy when a journalist starts asking questions about the Ballykissangel online confessional. Liam and Donal find a pile of clothes on the beach and realise that they are Quigley's. Frankie, notifies the Cilldargan detective branch, and no one is sure whether Quigley is dead or alive. Niamh returns to find out that her missing father, Quigley, has left behind a great deal of debt, and the Dooleys become worried that the bank might repossess the pub.

Drink - Frankie gives Vincent a breathalyzer after smelling alcohol on his breath, eliciting gossip throughout the village. Dooley spots a money-making opportunity in real estate that almost goes sour. And Mac begins to worry when the priests' house is under threat from the bank, until a third party buys the property.

The Cat and Daddy G - Avril is worried because one of her horses is under performing, and she can't afford to keep him. Grainne's new pet goat quickly becomes a menace in the pub, and Dooley makes her keep it at Avril's stable. Mysteriously, the horse soon begins to improve his racing form and Avril realizes it's because the goat and the horse have become great mates.

Spirit Proof - The ghost of an old highwayman returns to haunt the village when Dooley appropriates some ancient fishing rights originally granted to the pub. Meanwhile, Kathleen causes havoc as she learns to drive.

Paul Dooley Sleeps with the Fishes - Avril comes into town and gets a sobering wake-up when she sees someone from her past. Liam and Donal invoke Godfather-style tactics to pressure Dooley into returning the money he borrowed from them. Meanwhile Oonagh thinks it's time to rename the pub.

In a Jam - Vincent is in charge of this year's parish fête. Liam and Donal try to finesse the cow-pat-in-a-square competition with a constipated cow. Kathleen is going for ten wins in a row in the jam competition, but can she win now that she's up against Oonagh and Vincent is replacing Mac as judge?

Getting Better all the Time - Barry, an old friend of Vincent's arrives in Ballykissangel with his girlfriend, Lyn. Barry and Lyn want to get married and Vincent has agreed to conduct the service. But Mac forbids the wedding because Barry has been married before and therefore can't be married in the eyes of the church. Lyn is shocked to find out she is pregnant.

Smoke Signals - The last ever episode of Ballykissangel Father Mac confronts Vincent when he finds out that Lyn and Barry are married, and Vincent doesn't handle it very well. Louis's dog becomes ill after eating some strange plants, and Frankie goes to investigate. Siobhan and Brendan return from a night out to find their babysitter, Vincent, asleep on the couch with Avril.

Series created by Kieran Prendiville
Directed by Simon Massey, Mike Cocker, Peter Lydon, Paul Duane
Written by Robert Jones, Ted Gannon, Jimmy Murphy, Mark Holloway, Barry Devlin, Stephen Plaice
Produced by Chris Clough, Joy Lale and Chris Griffin, David Shanks
Executive Produced by Robert Cooper, Tony Garnett and Colin Farrell, Sophie Balhetchet

Series 1
" A sheer delight, very funny and richly charactered." - Daily Telegraph

"...the script has some bite." - Guardian

"Highly recommended." - Daily Mail

"The BBC wins all the Sunday night prizes." - Daily Express

"I liked Ballykissangel. Like Kieran Prendiville's other dramatic venture, Roughnecks, it is formulaic yet concentrates maximum attention on the individuals, creating good material for the actors - here beautifully cast." - The Times

"There's an earthy and whimsical good humour to this promising new series." - Sun

"The television show it most often brings to mind is Northern Exposure. The two share the fish-out-of-water premise... the feisty, intractable woman... the law-unto-himself town entrepreneur... the strong sense of ensemble acting and the frequent drift towards the comic. But most of all, they share a heart.They share a love for what makes us human, for our weaknesses as well as our strengths, for the little things we can do for each other to make life easier. BallyK, like Northern, deals with issues of everyday dignity and respect, with an understated sweetness and lightness of touch. Don't miss it." - The Guide

"Makes you want to give it all up and run a pub in Ireland." - Sydney Morning Herald

Series 2
"Tightly woven, wickedly funny and neatly packaged the story of a close knit Irish community is never predictable. Not only is the Celtic wit and razor sharp banter at the local bar closely observed, but it also has the guts to poke fun at the locals and managed to do so without being patronising.The script takes the viewer to the edge of risqué but pulls back at the last second without causing offence ... This is a great show, full of surprises and charm" - Stage

"...a fabulous fusion of fantasy and tradition, laced with gentle humour and hints of romance. Who could resist?"- Daily Telegraph

"It has the feel good factor stamped all over it - from the delightful country scenery to the friendly locals... Even the sun seems to shine all the time... it goes down as smoothly as a pint of Guinness at Fitzgerald's bar." - Daily Mirror

"Resident cast and easygoing humour triumphantly intact... continues to delight." - The Times

"Enjoyable in an escapist sort of way." - Guardian

"Writer Kieran Prendiville is a dab hand with the situation side of a sitcom." - Daily Mail

Series 3
"The scenes in the pub, with the competition swirling round them (Father Peter and Assumpta) and every song lyric cutting them both to the bone, are beautifully handled. And the gentle sub-plots and slow eddies of village life make you want to give it all up and run a pub in Ireland." - Sydney Morning Herald

"I don't care what else you watch this week, if you miss this you will kick yourself until the cows come home."- Sydney Morning Herald

"Don't miss it for all the whiskey in Australia." - Canberra Times

Series 4
"A warmly welcomed return for the series which goes on proving that popular drama can be intelligent, observant and wry." - Express Magazine

"Father Aidan O"Connell (Don Wycherley) is proving more than capable of filling the cassock of Father Peter (Stephen Tompkinson).' - TVWeek

"Who needs big city adventure when you've got Bally K? It may be a remote Irish village with a small population but it certainly gets more than its share of excitement." - Daily Telegraph

"Of course, it's soft-centred and full of blarney, but it also can be quite addictive." - The Guide, Sydney Morning Herald

Series 5
"Ballyk is alive and well and as entertaining as ever." - Weekend Mirror

"...endearing. ...just when I thought the show had gone barmy, it struck back with a rather touching vein of illicit love, ending in a tragedy, the like of which should keep the plot boiling nicely over the coming weeks." - Bristol Evening Post

"The gentle comedy drama is as welcome as a large Irish whiskey on a cold winter's evening." - Mirror

"...the jokes are good and the writing is good and the performances are good..." - The Times

"...the Sunday night Radox relax is the middle-aged, Mondeo-driving version of guzzling 12 Es on a Saturday night." - Guardian

"Brian's quest for title is a classic." - Canberra Times

Series 6
"Ballykissangel is more than superior TV soap. It is the Ireland of one's dreams and, for me, a new and wholly unexpected enthusiasm." - Daily Mail

"Ballykissangel is back in fine form with Father "Call me Vincent" Sheahan, a craggy new Australian priest, who looks as if roughly hewn from a coolabah tree, and a changed but charming cast, not one of whom could walk from a to b in a straight line. And that even before Fitzgerald's opens." - Guardian

"...stunning Irish scenery ... All it needed was a glistening pint of Guinness, a girl with jet black hair and a quick burst of Riverdance and another 10,000 plane tickets would have been sold." - Sunday Mirror

"As ever, Ballykissangel is light, charming and Ballykissangel."- Daily Mail

"The first episode, which was both funny and touching revealed that the series has totally recovered from the departures of the original stars ... Australian Father Vincent looks set to make female hearts flutter ... the rearview photograph [of Quigley] which came through on his daughter Niamh's computer at the end, was painfully moving ... the very talented Susannah has joined the cast ... what a great tribute to her father, and what an inspired addition to the series. " - Mail On Sunday

"With creator Kieran Prendiville back at the helm, the scripts are distinctly sharper and funnier than for some time past, and the cast is beginning to gel. With a proper landlord behind the bar of Fitzgerald's in Owen Roe's Paul Dooley, and some genuine aggro between the characters - last night it was over fishing rights - this episode justified its place in the schedule. 'Don't be hasty' is my advice to the BBC.There's life left in Ballykissangel." - Daily Mail

"Kieran Prendiville contributes an adroit and lively script." - Sunday Times

"The sweet, quirky Irish soap Ballykissangel is the opposite of gritty." - Time Out, New York