Ballykissangel is BACK as beloved comedy returns to screens for first time in ten years - but where are the original cast now?
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Iconic BBC drama Ballykissangel is returning to screens for the first time in more than a decade - with all 58 episodes of the series free to view.
Freeview channel Great TV will air all six seasons of the comedy-drama series that starred the likes of Stephen Tompkinson, Dervla Kirwan and Hollywood star Colin Farrell, and aired on Sunday nights in the 1990s.
The show, which was made by BBC Northern Ireland, a family favourite when it first aired in 1996, has not been available to watch on British TV since 2016.
At its height, the series - which ran for five years and was filmed in the real village of Avoca in County Wicklow - attracted more than 10million viewers a week.
Now, it will make its return, with the first episode shown on February 2nd at 3pm, with subsequent episodes airing at the same time Monday through Friday.
The return of the beloved show offers new audiences a chance to discover the gentle humour and romantic entanglements of the fictional village of Ballykissangel.
Iconic BBC drama Ballykissangel is returning to screens for the first time in over a decade - with all 58 episodes of the Northern Ireland based series free to view
Freeview channel Great TV will air all six seasons of the comedy-drama series that starred the likes of Stephen Tomkinson and Dervla Kirwan and aired on Sunday nights in the 1990s
It follows the story of Catholic priest Father Peter Clifford, played by Wild at Heart actor Stephen, who arrives from Manchester to serve under prickly old Father MacAnally (Niall Tóibín).
Father Clifford soon finds himself drawn into the messy, funny, and often heartwarming lives of the villagers.
He is quickly entangled in a slowburn relationship with Dervla's Assumpta Fitzgerald, the fiercely independent publican who owns the local pub, Fitzgerald’s.
Their chemistry and moral dilemma — a priest falling for a woman who questions the Church — gave the show much of its dramatic pull.
Other main characters included Brian Quigley (Tony Doyle) as the village’s wheeler dealer businessman, always ready with a scheme or investment.
Tina Kellegher and Peter Caffrey played Niamh Egan, the warmhearted daughter of Brian Quigley, and Ambrose Egan, the local Garda, giving the series one of its central village families.
Siobhán (Deirdre O’Kane) was the no nonsense village vet.
Several of the show’s leads and recurring actors used Ballykissangel as a launchpad or stepping stone - including a young Colin Farrell.
The show last aired in 2001 and was taken off screens in 2016
Hollywood star Colin Farrell also found his big break on the BBC series
He joined the show aged 22 as barman and handyman Darren Byrne in one of his first screen roles.
Great TV’s marketing director Kate Gartland said: 'We are absolutely delighted that we can bring back this wonderful, heartwarming series for our viewers.
'In the late 90s it was an absolute must-see for millions of families who would sit down in front of the telly to watch it every Sunday night.
'The return of all 58 episodes taps into a wider appetite for comfort viewing and 1990s nostalgia that we know that Great TV viewers love to watch.
'For original viewers, it is a chance to revisit those storylines that were watercooler talk at the time. And for a new generation of viewers, it allows them to discover a truly iconic comedy drama.'
So where are the actors of the iconic BBC series now?
From starring in major Hollywood productions, to performing on the West End and beyond, we've got the lowdown on the stars of Ballykissangel.
Stephen Tompkinson
Since leaving the show, Father Peter Clifford's Stephen launched a long TV career including starring roles in Wild at Heart, Grafters, In Deep, and the crime series DCI Banks
Since leaving the show, Father Peter Clifford's Stephen launched a long TV career including starring roles in Wild at Heart, Grafters, In Deep, and the crime series DCI Banks.
He has also appeared in comedy Drop the Dead Donkey earlier in his career and theatre, including stage productions in the West End and on tour.
In 2023, he returned to the stage just weeks after a jury cleared him of inflicting grievous bodily harm.
The DCI Banks star was accused of punching a drunk man in the head, who fell to the ground and broke his skull, after finding him and a friend drinking and making noise at the bottom of his driveway in the early hours of May 30, 2021.
The 57-year-old was cleared by a jury of inflicting GBH at Newcastle Crown Court.
The actor told jurors he only pushed Mr Poole away in self-defence and the contact 'wasn't enough to knock a sober man off his feet'.
Tompkinson began touring with the Original Theatre company starring as Nobel prize winner and playwright Samuel Beckett opposite Andrew Lancel, who plays fellow Nobel prize winner and playwright Harold Pinter.
Dervla Kirwan
Since Ballykissangel, Dervla has starred in Goodnight Sweetheart with Nicholas Lyndhurst, 55 Degrees North, The Silence, Injustice, Silent Witness and The Stranger.
Assumpta Fitzgerald's Dervla remains a prominent presence on British and Irish screens and stage.
Since Ballykissangel, she starred in Goodnight Sweetheart with Nicholas Lyndhurst, 55 Degrees North, The Silence, Injustice, Silent Witness and The Stranger.
She returned to screens again in 2025 in Netflix's big hitter drama House of Guinness, and throughout her career has been awarded two IFTA Awards.
Married to Spooks star Rupert Penry-Jones, she has also had an extensive theatre career in London and Dublin.
In 2023, she joined The Handmaid's Tale's Joseph Fiennes, who played Gareth Southgate, in Dear England when it moved to the Prince Edward Theatre in London.
'I'm thrilled to be taking on the role,' Kirwan said at the time. 'I've not performed in the West End for a while.
'It's such a special experience and I'm delighted to return to the heart of Soho in a theatre large enough to bring James Graham's acclaimed play to a whole new audience. Rehearsals are just beginning but the company already feels like a winning team.'
Colin Farrell
Colin Farrell has enjoyed the most success from the show, becoming Ireland’s best known film stars, with major roles in Hollywood and European cinema
Colin Farrell has enjoyed the most success from the show, becoming Ireland’s best known film stars, with major roles in Hollywood and European cinema.
His performances in In Bruges, The Lobster, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Banshees of Inisherin and mainstream hits like Phone Booth and S.W.A.T. have earned awards, nominations, and critical acclaim.
He also maintained a presence in mainstream cinema with roles in major franchises and films, including Fantastic Beasts and starred at the Penguin in The Batman.
Among his accolades are three Golden Globe Awards, one Screen Actors Guild Award, and one Volpi Cup, in addition to nominations for an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award and two Primetime Emmy Awards.
He was named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine in 2023, and The Irish times hailed him as Ireland's fifth-greatest actor in 2020.
Deirdre O'Kane
Since appearing on Ballykissangel, Deirdre O’Kane has balanced acting with a successful standup comedy career
Since appearing on Ballykissangel, Deirdre O’Kane has balanced acting with a successful standup comedy career.
She became a familiar face on Irish television through comedy and panel shows, most notably starring in the satirical sketch series The Savage Eye.
O’Kane also took on memorable acting roles in television dramas and comedies such as Moone Boy.
In film, she appeared in acclaimed projects like Noble, contributing to socially engaged Irish cinema alongside her comedy career.
Niamh Egan
Niamh Egan's Tina Kellegher went on to feature in a range of Irish television and film projects, including In the Name of the Father, Striking Out and Blood.
Niall Toibin
Father MacAnally's Niall Tóibín passed away in 2019
Niall Tóibín (Father MacAnally), a veteran Irish actor and comedian, continued to work in film and television, including appearances in Veronica Guerin and The Clinic.
He remained active on Irish television, appearing in popular series such as Fair City.
While he also took on supporting roles in major Irish films, including Veronica Guerin and The Wind That Shakes the Barley.
He was also in demand for radio drama and voice work, where his distinctive voice and measured delivery made him particularly effective.
He passed away in 2019.
