Ballykissangel - Complete Series One & Two

Rating:
Summary: Amazingly true to life
Review: After several trips to the Vale of Avoca, it's easy to see how one could easily fall into line with the characters of Ballykissangel. From wily Brian Quiqley to quizzical Father Clifford and the highly changeable Niamh. The series truly portrays the idyllic countryside and the lifestyle that is so relaxed. Those who love Ireland and the Irish people will love Ballykissangel as they see the small town through the eyes of the local citizenry. Driving through the countryside, you can see images of Donal and Liam at almost every turn in the road, hoping they are not carring an electronic confessional!

For those who have been waiting, Series 3 will be available in March 2005, so enjoy Series 1 and 2 and be ready for more Irish laughter and fun in the new year. We'll be in Ireland when it makes it debut and we'll hoist a pint in Fitzgerald's in celebration!

Rating:
Summary: Ballykissangel Series 1-3 = Human Relationships
Review: I wish they would release Series 3 too. Ballykissangel can be broken down into three parts: Assumpta and Father Peter era (Series 1-3), Father Aidan era (Series 4 and 5) and the aussie priest era (Series 6) Now, the only ones in my opinion worth watching is the first three series and they are absolutely brilliant. They do not mock the Catholic religion but focuses on human relationships (especially in a small village)and interaction between the characters especially when an event rocks the boat e.g. loss of Niamh's baby. The audience see bonds of friendship strengthen and in most cases the villagers are one big family. Now the books A new arrival and A sense of place are series one and two respectively and are worth buying too. The only thing that spoils it for me is the fact Kieran Prendville did not write a sequel to these two books and that the BBC have not released Series 3 on DVD.

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant DVD combo
Review: The wonderful thing about this DVD combo is that we BallyK fans are rewarded with neat little features such as a tour of Avoca (BallyK) and a really well made documentary on the success of the series featuring interviews with all of the past and more recent cast. If you love the series like I do, it's just wonderful to have series one and two available at any time and to be able to flip through to inspiring scenes or particularly touching moments.
I just wish they would release the other series...I actually love the show all the way to series 6 so let's keep our fingers crossed...
Marc

Rating:
Summary: For those who have a soft spot for Ireland
Review: This drama set in a small town in Ireland is less significant for its substance than for the days-gone-by nostalgia feel of it. It is a wonderfully simple program; a sort of Andy Griffith Show foundation enlivened by modernity. We see an attractive barkeep who has vague qualms with the religion into which she was born begin to respect the new priest in town as he jockeys with his older generational priest-supervisor. Through this prism we can see what we want of Ireland's more recent development. The program encourages us to take sides between the traditionalist (sometimes selfish) church of the past, and a more lively (but less absolute) version of it, as evinced by this young priest from afar who stirs up this town a bit. It's not at all a religious program, mind you; just an overly unrepresentitive portrayal of idyllic Ireland in which you cannot fail to include religion. Full disclosure: I like this show, but I also have Irish blood. I say this because this really is a program which appeals to a particular sort of individual; to one who either has Irish blood and/or for those whom Ireland has some draw. Ireland has an inherent appeal to many such people from around the world. Even if you have never visited it, can you not right now visualize vast green fields and rolling hills bordered by stone walls, snugly cozy pubs filled with glasses of Guiness raised, and smiling faces? Of course, i'm exaggerating here, but you must grant that Ireland is a far more attractive place than many others, at least in a theorhetical quality-of-life sort of way. It's thought of as the sort of place where stress is not as prevalent as where one finds oneself; having a bygone character to it (notwithstanding this not to be as true in actuality, but like in many other things, imagination often persists over reality). If I am making any sense to you with this, Ballykissangel may be to your liking. If you are familiar with Garrison Keillor's pubic radio show, "A Prairie Home Companion" (saturdays 6pm across the USA), Ballykissangel is to Ireland what the fictional town of "Lake Woebegone" is to the American heartland. I recommend both. Both evince what a part of us long for (if you are a nostalgic sort of person, regardless of your age--even a 25 year old can long for previous eras) and even though such may not suit us, it does make us inclined to enjoy programs like "A Prarie Home Companion" and "Ballykissangel". I hope this review of sorts was of use to you. Cheers! P.S. If you do give this program a try and find it to your liking I'd like to let you know that the "set" of Ballykissangel isn't one at all; but rather is an one-street town (called Avoca) that was occassionally commandeered for filming so that you can actually travel to it! To have a drink in its pub, visit its church (as I have) and so on is a somewhat surreal experience; as you walk into "the program", so to speak, that you have enjoyably watched from afar. Now, where else can you do something like that!

Rating:
Summary: Irish "Exposure"....
Review: This is a fantastic show which my mother hooked me on a few years ago. If you've never caught an episode on PBS, now is your chance. Unlike glitzy American prime-time soap operas, these characters have a great deal of depth and the status quo can change, dramatically, at any time. If you liked the quirky characters and situations of "Northern Exposure", you will love this show!

Rating:
Summary: Irish "Exposure"....
Review: This is a fantastic show which my mother hooked me on a few years ago. If you've never caught an episode on PBS, now is your chance. Unlike glitzy American prime-time soap operas, these characters have a great deal of depth and the status quo can change, dramatically, at any time. If you liked the quirky characters and situations of "Northern Exposure", you will love this show!