Join or Sign In
Sign in to customize your TV listings
By joining TV Guide, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy.
12 Episodes 1998 - 1998
Episode 1
48 mins
With Fitzgerald's pub going up for auction, local businessman Brian Quigley sees a new business opportunity. Wanting to avoid the competition, he has Donal and Liam paint over the direction signs to the town but that doesn't quite keep the bidders away. His biggest problem is getting someone to run the place and his ideal candidate, daughter Niamh, is reluctant to put herself under her father's thumb. He assures her that she will have the final word on pub operations; she's doubtful, but reluctantly agrees. He faces a formidable challenge however from Bella Mooney who sees turning the pub into the first of a chain of fancy brasseries that will focus on tourists. Everyone in the village anxiously await the arrival of their new priest, Father Aidan O'Connell, a Cistercian monk who has spent the last 10 years in a monastery. His sister Orla arrives ahead of him and gets to know some of the locals.
Episode 2
49 mins
Despite his assurances to daughter Niamh that she would have complete control over all aspects of the pub's operations, Brian Quigley just can't keep his hands off. His first act is to bring in someone to re-brand the place and Niamh will have nothing to do with it. She walks off the job over his interference and soon its Brian who is pulling pints. Father Aidan O'Connell has arrived and has started making his rounds with Kathleen Hendley introducing him to many of the locals. Bedridden Mary Cummins asks for his blessing and when Kathleen returns unexpectedly returns and finds her walking about with no difficulty, Mary announces that Father O'Connell has performed a miracle. Father O'Connell is convinced that Mary's illness is all a scam for insurance compensation but isn't quite sure how deal with the situation. Meanwhile Sean Dillon, a former inhabitant of Ballykissangel, returns and it's clear that he is not very welcome by those who know him and his family.
Episode 3
49 mins
Brian Quigley literally dreams up his next business venture when he wakes up one morning Orla tells her brother, Father Aidan O'Connell, that it's his turn to buy groceries but he had never discussed salary with Father McAnally and isn't even sure if he is being paid. He has his own solution go paying the grocery bill however. Sean Dillon's 16 year-old daughter Emma unexpectedly arrives in Ballykissangel. He's surprised to see her and his harsh tone forces her to run off leading to a search of the area. Niahm and Kieran move into the pub but Gard Ambrose isn't sure it's proper for him to live above a licensed establishment. Siobhan meanwhile is approaching her due date and insists on giving birth at home. She has Brendan set up a birthing pool but things don't quite go as planned.
Episode 4
47 mins
Siobhan an Brendan are disagreeing about having their new baby girl baptized. The irreligious Brendan feels excluded by it all and refuses to participate. It all leads to harsh words between the two of them that they may not be able to forget. It's also Father Aidan's first baptism and he's determined not to make a botch of it. Father McAnally gives him a hand. Brian Quigley has his eyes on buying the golf course but the price is beyond his means. Orla has a solution for him but also a price. It also means he has to go out of his way to impress the prospective investor, a newly rich and now avid golfer.
Episode 5
48 mins
Several of the regulars are starting to wonder when they're going to meet Donal's new friend, Suzie. What they don't know is that Suzie is a black bear that spent most of its life performing in a circus. Liam comes up with an idea to get money out of Brian Quigley but it all goes bad and Donal decides to set the animal free. Sean Dillon takes an interest in Kevin O'Kelly but Padraig's hatred of the Dillon family gets in the way. Brendan meanwhile doesn't quite understand that fatherhood is something more than just dropping by to see his daughter when he has a few spare minutes. Siobhan lets him know exactly where he stands.
Episode 6
48 mins
It's time again for the annual races, which Dr. Ryan has won for the last 5 years. Danny Byrne, Eamon's nephew, has entered his own horse, Razor, in the race and the good doctor thinks his run of wins may be coming to an end. Orla moves out of her brother's house and into her new digs - the Gard house, but drug dealer Johnner Delaney, whom Ambrose arrested 6 months before, is now out on parole and puts a brick through the window. He makes it known that he's out to get Ambrose. Niamh is none too pleased leading to a row with Ambrose who is determined to settle this himself. Orla moves in with Padraig and Kevin for a few days but Padraig has more than having just a lodger in mind.
Episode 7
47 mins
Danny Byrne's horse is proving to be no end of bother for Sean Dillon. His daughter Emma can't take it as she feels it belongs to Danny, even if her Dad paid a fair price. Before he can get Eamon to by it back from him however, an injured Danny steals Razor and heads for Dublin. The big day has arrived for Brian Quigley and Micky Keeler - it's the opening of the golf course. Micky is still being quite selective about who can join the club but there's one person Brian definitely wants as a member. He relies on Donal and Liam to help with his plan. Niamh decides to change her look and suggests to Orla that if she's interested in Sean Dillon, she should make the first move and not wait for him to take the lead.
Episode 8
48 mins
With son Kevin still away - and unlikely to return for three months - Padraig is having a bit of a hard time. He's feeling unwell but Dr. Ryan thinks it's his excessive drinking that is the cause but as he says, drink is the symptom not the problem. He's lonely and feeling sorry for himself which leads him to drink even more. Donal and Liam talk Niamh into installing a satellite dish so the punters can watch live football. They also try to install the dish themselves, unfortunately. When the workmen discover a fertility statue on Sean Dillon's property, Eamon goes around spreading rumors and gets Kathleen all bothered about it. Orla wants to know more about the statue and invites Sean over for a dinner to discuss it. Their evening together doesn't go very well.
Episode 9
47 mins
Father McAnally 's old friend and onetime curate, now a Bishop, comes for a visit but something is clearly bothering him. He's about to take up an appointment at the Vatican and isn't sure if it's the right thing to do. Danny and Emma spend an afternoon together but are far afield when a storm breaks and they find themselves having to spend the night in an abandoned cottage. A worried Sean searches for her and there's a spark when he and Niamh speak about it in the pub. Father Aidan O'Connell has organized a monster bingo but when his celebrity number caller drops out, he finds he has to take on the task himself. Orla comes to his rescue.
Episode 10
47 mins
While looking for a straying sheep, Eamon has a nasty fall. Danny searches for him everywhere and eventually asks Sean Dillon to help him. Niamh is unhappy and it's become obvious to Ambrose that their marriage is on a very rocky road. Emma Dillon learns some interesting facts about her family history. Brendan and Siobhan decide to get married but don't want anyone to know. They undertake their pre-marriage counseling with Father O'Connell who isn't quite sure they understand the true meaning of marriage. They have no intention of living together and are really only getting married to provide a more secure financial future for their baby. When Siobhan confides in Niamh that they are to be married the next day, Niamh goes all out to prepare a reception for them. She is greatly disappointed however adding to her own marital woes.
Episode 11
49 mins
Niamh and Ambrose have another major row and she leaves for the day. Ambrose has to scramble for child care with Siobhan and Grandpa Brian helping out. Brian also realizes that his daughter's marriage is in deep trouble and gives Ambrose some advice. Niamh runs into Sean Dillon at a pub in Cilldargan and their conversation leads her to wonder even more what her life would have been like if she had made different choices. Donal comes up with another money-making scheme and Brian puts him in charge of the idea - much to Liam's annoyance. His plan may lead to tragedy however when Donal cannot be found. A stranger leaves an envelope in the confessional addressed to Kathleen Hendley. He turns out to her true love from many years before. She had lent him some money so he could go to England and establish himself before sending for her. She never heard from him again. Now, she has the opportunity to learn why.
Episode 12
48 mins
The weather matches the mood in the village as a huge storm strikes Ballykisangel. Niamh confronts Sean abut her feelings and Ambrose comes to an inevitable conclusion about their marriage. The coming storm has a strange effect on Eamon's dog and it disappears for a while. The storm severely damages Sean Dillon's newly renovated house and he decides to pack it in and return to England. The community rallies around to support him and he finally feels he is part of the community.