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BALLYKISSANGEL SERIES FOUR

BBC DVD / 3 disc set / Region 4 / Released April 2008

Featuring Colin Farrell, Tony Doyle, Victoria Smurfit, Niall Tobin

Before the first episode of the utterly charming Ballykissangel had even finished it was clear that here was a Sunday night show that was destined to run and run. The story of an English priest who is transferred to the gorgeous Southern Irish village of Ballykissangel mostly focused on the relationship between Father Peter Clifford (Stephen Tompkinson) and local bar owner Assumpta Fitzgerald (Dervla Kirwan) and the third season was a true epic as both stars decided to bow out at the same time with Father Peter revealing how he really felt about Assumpta only for her to die in a tragic accident, which of course meant some huge changes were in store for the village and the show itself.

Season Four (just released in a three disc set and with 12 episodes) sees the arrival of new priest Father Aiden O'Connell (played by Don Wycherley) and his sexy sister Orla (Victoria Smurfit), of course Father Aiden is soon crossing swords with crotchety old Father MacAnally (played by the rather wonderful Niall Tobin), meanwhile there is a recurring role for a certain Colin Farrell (long before he a became a major Hollywood playuer) as bad boy Danny Byrne. Finally Lorcan Cranitch arrives in town as Sean Dillon who keft BallyK years before to make his fortune and has now returned home, a widower with a 17 year old daughter, Emma.

The scheming Quigley (who likes to think he is the master of BallyK) ends up buying Fitzgeralds and has some ambitious plans for it, his daughter Niamh though is having trouble with with her marriage to local copper Ambrose.

While the departure of the two lead players ruffled a few feathers it doesn't actually alter the dynamic of the series too much as its the ensemble playing of the whole cast and nicely quirky scripts that make the show such a joy.

A much loved series then that is here still in its prime. Only extra is an interview with Victoria Smurfit.

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