Thursdays at 7:00 PM

Issues of religion, morality and love combine to create the delightful, contemporary British drama series Ballykissangel. The series revolves around the sometimes frenzied and chaotic life of Father Peter Clifford (Stephen Tompkinson), an English priest from Manchester. Upon moving to Ireland, Father Clifford must take on the bedrock of Irish Catholicism and his arrival in the rural town of Ballykissangel proves to be as much a shock to him as it is to the local residents. He is quickly forced to come to terms with the idiosyncratic ways of the villagers, and they with his down-to-earth, '90s style.

As Father Clifford soon discovers, there is no shortage of adversaries to make his transition bumpy. The list of colorful characters includes Brian Quigley (Tony Doyle), a local entrepeneur who is doing his best to turn Ballykissangel into a Mecca for American tourists. He has recently presented the church with a dubious gift: an automated confessional box complete with air conditioning, soundproofing, a fax machine and automatic sliding doors. Assumpta Fitzgerald (Dervla Kirwan), who runs the local pub, is 25, unmarried, anti-cleric and anti-men. None of this is lost on Father Clifford, who, despite long odds, finds in her a kindred spirit. Then there is Father Mac (Niall Toibin), who, unhappy at the arrival of the English priest, leaps at any opportunity to undermine Father Clifford.

To make matters worse, Father Clifford is confronted by a personal ghost when Jenny, a close friend from Manchester, arrives in search of an explanation for his swift departure. Even in remote Ballykissangel, the world won't leave Father Clifford alone. In fact, the more he becomes enmeshed in town affairs, the more he is forced to face his own past.

Episode Descriptions:

#101 Trying to Connect You
Father Clifford arrives in Ballykissangel and arouses much interest, especially since he left his old parish rather unexpectedly.

#102 The Things We Do for Love
A young woman from Father Clifford's past arrives for a visit, causing speculation and embarrassment. Father Clifford also arranges a football match.

#103 Live in my Heart and Pay no Rent
Father Clifford tries to encourage reluctant groom Ambrose to marry his bride, Niamh, while Quigley is on the mountain waiting for his lost love.

#104 FallenAngel
Father Clifford meets his match over chess and disputation, in a cantankerous old atheist. Assumpta helps Father Clifford pass his driving test and Egan tries to close Angel FM.

#105 The Power and the Glory
Quigley is running for office, but a visiting reporter has some dirt on him. The dirt on the reporter is that he and Assumpta are old flames.

#106 Missing You Already
Father Clifford may have made a few friends in Ballykissangel, but it seems he is not wanted at St. Joseph's. He learns that he is to be sent back to England and finds that no one will miss him, not even Assumpta.

#107 For One Night Only
Sparks fly when Father Clifford casts Assumpta as the heroine in the village play. She objects to playing the love scenes, until a tall dark stranger arrives in town to take the romantic lead.

#108 River Dance
Gold fever strikes the town when Enda is spotted panning for gold, and Liam and Donal use it to attract tourists. Father Clifford tries to save the job of a dedicated teacher.

#109 In the Can
Father Clifford is experiencing a problem shared by many of his calling -- he just can't seem to get young people into church. He decides that a bit of guitar strumming will have them lining up around the block, and luckily, a musician is in town.

#110 The Facts of Life
When a newborn baby is left on Father Clifford's doorstep, he sets out to find the mother.

#111 Someone to Watch Over Me
Quigley hires a new housekeeper despite the displeasure of his daughter Niamh. A bunch of mischievous kids arrive at school and cause problems for the schoolteacher, Brendan, and the shopkeeper, Kathleen.

#112 Only Skin Deep
Quigley announces a beauty contest just as the beautiful Naomi comes to town claiming to be Eamonn's niece. Niamh and Father Clifford are having trouble with Con O'Neill, but maybe someone closer to home might be able to help.

#113 Money, Money, Money
Kathleen's house is badly damaged by fire, but she has no insurance. A collection is started involving betting on dogs where Quigley is hoping to win. Father Clifford referees a poker game.

#114 Chinese Whispers
The presence of two strangers in town causes consternation for those with something to hide.

#201 As Happy as a Turkey on Boxing Day (1997 Christmas Special)
Christmas doesn't go as planned for the residents of Ballykissangel. Assumpta decides to close the pub for the day, angering her regulars. Father Clifford plans to spend Christmas on his own, until he's enlisted to look after a new priest... Father Mac's nephew. Brian Quigley's plans for a skiing trip are disrupted; Ambrose looks for smugglers; and disaster strikes when Kevin O'Kelly disappears.

#202 When a Child Is Born
The prospect of Niamh's impending labor is too much for Ambrose, while Ambrose's mother is too much for Niamh. The church becomes the center of attention when a statue starts sweating. Liam and Donal have a new money-making scheme and Donal gets himself a girlfriend.

#203 Changing Time
Quigley's new development plans cause an uproar in the village when they discover the effects his new access road will have on the local wildlife. Ambrose is injured in the course of duty, leaving Niamh to cope with Kieran on her own.

#204 Stardust In Your Eyes
Quigley prepares to make a killing from the visiting Koreans, but he has staked all his worldly holdings on the development going forward. To try to curry favor with the visiting tycoons, Padraig hosts a `50s party.

#205 The Fortune In Men's Eyes
Peter's absence gives Father Mac the idea that he doesn't need a curate, but the community feels differently. Quigley's business deal seems to have fallen through, then he takes an unusual interest in Ambrose's mother. Donal is shocked by news about Sue Ellen.

#206 I Know When I'm Not Wanted
Peter returns from retreat to find himself homeless, while Assumpta startles the village with news about an old friend. Ambrose is on the trail of a burglar and the community pulls together to beat a rival pub quiz team.

#207 Personal Call
Assumpta's women's group causes problems in the village. Peter has to step in to help Father Mac, whose pride has gotten the better of him. Niamh offers to help her father, but he is suspicious of her terms.

#208 Lost Sheep
A young woman searching for her sister causes problems for Father Mac. Siobhan has some shocking news for Brendan, and one of Eamonn's sheep has gone AWOL.

#209 The Waiting Game
Lottery fever hits the village, making everyone suspicious of each other. Father Mac is appalled by his bosses' behavior, and Ambrose secures a major arrest.

#210 Pack Up Your Troubles
Quigley's new business venture gets the community up in arms. A figure from Padraig's past puts him under enormous pressure, and Kevin has a big decision to make.