Fair City ready to ‘shock’ after 25 years on screen

Popular Irish soap Fair City will mark its 25th anniversary this week with some "spectacular story lines" to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

The award-winning RTÉ drama that now has almost half a million viewers started in September 1989 with just one episode a week for a limited run.

It was cancelled after its first season but then the powers-that-be decided to give it another go.

Tony Tormey, who plays businessman Paul Brennan, is one of two actors there from the start.

Tony said he had been blessed with decent story lines that have kept viewers interested in what Paul gets up to.

“I am lucky that I am still here. I am still waiting for someone to come up and tap me on the shoulder and say: ‘Your time’s up. You have to go,” Tony said yesterday.

His on-screen character, who has four children with four different women, has provided some of the steamier plots.

This week Paul’s wife, Niamh Cassidy, played by Clelia Murphy, leaves him for a younger man and, as well as being shocked, his reaction is expected to be equally shocking.

“I can’t say anything more about that but things do get pretty rough. It will be shocking but I hope people will have sympathy for Paul and for Niamh. They are both in a tenuous situation,” said Tony.

The other actor who has been there from the start is Tom Jordan, who plays Charlie Kelly, the retired antique dealer and chairman of Carrigstown Community Centre.

Fair City executive producer, Brigie de Courcy said the cast and crew had worked extremely hard to create spectacular story lines for the milestone anniversary.

“I think audiences will be on the edge of their seats when the storylines hit screens this week,” said Ms deCourcy. Head of drama in RTÉ television, Jane Gogan, said the 25th anniversary was an incredible achievement.

“The popularity of the show is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the wonderful cast, writers and crew, ” said Ms Gogan.

Fair City is now shown four times weekly and watched by around 474,000 people.

It is also drawing in new younger viewers — 24% are aged 15 to 34, up 8% compared to the same period in 2013.

Fair City started off as a pilot based around four households and has tackled many controversial issues over its 3,600 episodes.

It got the nation talking in 1996 when it screened the first gay kiss on Irish television. Other story lines included rape, abortion, domestic abuse and gangland crime.

In 1989 all exterior shots were recorded in and around Barron Place in Drumcondra, Dublin, with many locals standing in as extras. Three years later, Carrigstown moved to RTÉ in Donnybrook.

Fans can enjoy the very first episode of Fair City tomorrow on RTÉPlayer.