Stephen Tompkinson

The Ballykissangel locals are in the midst of the annual Charity Slave Auction, where folks bid for the right to three hours of someone's time, all for a good cause. Father Clifford finds himself working behind the bar when Assumpta Fitzgerald bids for him. Brian Quigley is less lucky, as he ends up rodding sewers for one of his own employees. Niamh Egan, newly married to the Garda (policeman), Ambrose, is keen to buy Assumpta a present: ex-rock star Enda O'Sullivan, who has moved into the village. Assumpta is not impressed, but puts up with his singing one-hit wonders from back in the 80s. She has also been sold at auction to Father Mac. But what devious plan does he have in mind? Garage-owner, Padraig O'Kelly, persuades Father Peter to direct a play Ryan's Mother: The Prequel despite the dire warnings of schoolteacher Brendan Kearney. 'If it was a fight, you'd stop it. If it was a lame horse, you'd put it out of its misery,' Brendan protests. Aside from persuading Quigley to sponsor the production and both Assumpta and Enda to take the leads, Padraig and Peter's plans fall apart when Enda twists his ankle and Father Peter has to take the role. Not only that, Brendan suddenly claims the play is his after all.

An English priest is transfered to a small Irish village

After a near miss from a falling statue of a saint, Ambrose feels he has a vocation, being pulled towards the priesthood. However doing so means ending his engagement to Niamh.

An English priest is transfered to a small Irish village