Picked up the first two seasons (only two available) and really enjoyed the series (TV Tome). Hope that they release at least the next two seasons soon on DVD.

Show (Title): Ballykissangel
Airdate (When): 1996-2001
Where Released: UK (as opposed to set in Ireland)
Description (What): Simplistic: "An English priest is transferred to a small Irish village." The scenery is great, Ballykissangel is set up in a very green, hilly area of Ireland.
Who (actors):
Stephen Tompkinson - Father Peter Clifford (1996-5/4/1998) - English priest
Dervla Kirwan Assumpta Fitzgerald (1996-5/4/1998) Bar/pub/inn owner
Tina Kellegher Niamh Quigley/Egan (1996-1999) friend of Assumpta, daughter of Brian Quigley, wife of Ambrose
Peter Hanly Ambrose Egan (1996-1999) the police officer (Garda) husband of Niamh
Niall Toibin Father Frank MacAnally (regional leader of church)
Tony Doyle Brian Quigley (1996-1999) father of Niamh, rich
Deirdre Donnelly Siobhan Mehigan (vet)
Gary Whelan Brendan Kearney (school teacher)
Aine Ni Mhuiri Kathleen Hendley (store owner)
Joe Savino Liam Coghlan (work for Brian Quigley)
Frankie McCafferty Donal Docherty (work for Brian Quigley)

Some great moments (comedic and dramatic). In the beginning, there are a lot of characters to keep straight, but the two seasons I saw, the characters were handled well. I rated the first season (6 episodes) a 4.26 stars out of 5 stars, and the second season (8 episodes) a 4.11 out of 5 (4.16 without last two episodes). Overall, that would work out to 4.19 out of 5. My favorite episode was Live in My Heart and Pay No Rent (great sheep scene) and my least favorite was Money, Money, Money (ok episode, just somewhat weaker than the others).

interesting. I didn't realize that this was a soap opera. Heh, I watch a soap opera! funny

What made you 'realise' this was a soap opera? I wouldn't classify it as such at all. It's a drama.

I didn't clasify it a soap opera. I posted this in the "Where Does This Show Go" thread. Someone, not sure who, that works for TWoP moved the show to the Soap Opera section. Personally, I'd have moved it to drama, but I didn't know anything about the show beyond the first two seasons, and so, left it up to TWoP.

I've watched the entire series through a couple or three times and there are soapy elements, but it's more a drama in my book too. I can see how people would see it as being along the lines of a nighttime soap, but with a couple of priests thrown in for good measure.

All I know is I'm a yoooge fan of Ballykissangel and upon discovering it spent a lot of time at its BBC homepage, its official homepage, and sometimes this site.

I really appreciated the episode recaps at the sites because I started watching in the middle of the second series and had some catching up to do.

Heh, when you think about it, Quigley is kind of a JR Ewing wannabe.

Thanks, great links. One site even had a listing of where to find the show on local television (but, apparently, the information is 4 years old, that or the local website doesn't have a listing for BallyK; BBCAmerica, apparently, will not be showing BallyK anytime soon). Complete Series 1 and 2 were released separately and together (packaged together) here in the USA on 1/20/04. I can't find any news for future releases for this show, but hopefully, they might have something at least around 1/20/05.

Last year they showed it all the way through the six series on the WKNO public TV station out of Memphis. Now they're showing one episode a week which is better because it's easier to keep the appointment with my TV and I don't feel so completely wrapped up in the stories as I did when it was on more often.

Assumpta is totally my favorite character, then Siobhan.

You really need to try and get your hands on the whole series if you can. Colin Ferrell appears in Series 4 back when he was still a teenager. I think BallyK was his first big break.

It's a very addictive series. I look forward to being able to afford getting the whole thing on DVD one day. I can't imagine tiring of it.

I noticed that on one of those websites that list the cast members. One of the reasons I'm hoping they release the next set of DVD's soon (which, I hope will be both series 3 & 4). How did Colin Ferrell do on BallyK?

Favorite character? I don't really have a favorite character, though I liked Father Clifford and Assumpta from the first two series. I probably need to watch more than 14 episodes, though, before I can settle on my favorite character.
I agree. I rushed out the same night I bought the series 1 DVD and bought the series 2 DVD's after watching a couple of the series 1 episodes.

I thought Colin was very good. I believe it was actually his first acting gig.

I actually went to the village where BallyK was filmed. I was on vacation in Dublin and was walking down O'Connell street where I saw a tour bus that said it was going to where BallyK was filmed. Of course, I bought a ticket and went. It was very cool being at the real place. Now, I think, what was I thinking, getting on a strange bus :-)

How far away is BallyK from Dublin? I recall that one episode where Father Clifford went to Dublin in search of the parents of a baby, and the trip seemed shorter than I expected.

Getting on a strange tour bus to the set of BallyK, eh? One of the BallyK DVD's contains an interesting documentary of the actual village, with fake post offices blending in to the village (and signs saying that the post office was fake), but I've never been there in person. I must say, I am mildly jealous.

It really wasn't that far but I can't remember how long the bus ride took.

It was super cool or super geeky :-). If you go to Avoca (that's the village) the church, pub (Fitzgeralds) and (Kathleen's) store are real places. Avoca is famous (besides being the filming location) for their weavers.

According to TvShowsonDVD, the third season/series will come out on February 15, 2005 (I guess they aren't releasing season 4 at the same time). List price will apparently be $49.98. I don't see it for sale anywhere yet (pre-order).

Third Season/series now for pre-order at Amazon.com for $37.48. Currently it has an Amazon.com Sales Rank in DVD: #3,289.

And now its sales rank is #4402.

I think it's a CRIME that this show has had no discussion in 3 years. I think the problem is that it has been mislabeled. It should really be in dramas. Yes, it should!

I've watched all the shows that were available though Netflix, up to year 6. I think the only year that isn't available is the 6th.

So anyway-I loved and still love this show. It may be about an Ireland that no longer exsists, but I've never been there so it is all fantasy to me. Most of my favorite shows are escapist. I don't need the harsh light of reality to shine on everything. For that reason, I took Asumpta's way of leaving the show very badly! I know, the actress was leaving blah blah blah.

I'd recomend this to anyone as a timeless show that all ages can enjoy.

I love this show! I watched the first two episodes last night and they never get old.

Gosh I started watching this show when I was 10 years old... it was the first show I ever was obsessed with. I nearly died of shock when Assumpta died (my 10 year old heart was fragile ;))

My bff told me this morning that he's been watching via Netflix online. I had no idea they had it. Woohoo!