Killinaskully

Killinaskully
File:Front pic3.jpg Killinaskully logo with, (l-r); Jimmy, Dan and Timmy
Created by	Pat Shortt
Starring	Pat Shortt Louis Lovett Páraic Breathnach Joe Rooney Pascal Scott Jack Walsh John Keogh Aoife Maloney
Country of origin	Ireland
No. of episodes	29, as of September 28, 2008
Production
Running time	26 minutes per episode
Original release
Network	RTÉ One
Release	December 30, 2003 – present

Killinaskully is an Irish television comedy which details the bizarre goings-on in a fictitious Irish village called Killinaskully located in the hills of Ireland. It is actually filmed on location in the villages of Killoscully and Ballinahinch in County Tipperary, the title being a fusion of these two placenames. The show's humour comes from the unusual characterisations of traditional, stereotypical rural Irish folk. The show is chiefly written by the comedian, Pat Shortt, who also performs many of his own roles.

Killinaskully is produced by Shortt's own company and has been broadcast by RTÉ as part of their Sunday night schedule since 2004. The first three series are available on DVD and VHS. The show is currently in its fifth and final series, having begun transmission on September 28 2008.

Cast

Role	Image	Actor
Dan Clancy	File:IrishPubMan.jpg	Pat Shortt
Willie Power	File:WillyPower.jpg	Pat Shortt
Goretti	File:Goretti.jpg	Pat Shortt
Jimmy Bourke	File:Dan Dan.jpg	Jack Walsh
Timmy Higgins	File:Timmy Timmy.jpg	Joe Rooney
Jacksie Walsh	File:Irish Barman.jpg	Páraic Breathnach
Sgt. Dick O'Toole	File:DickByrne.jpg	Pascal Scott
Dieter Langer	File:DieterShower.jpg	Louis Lovett

Characters

Pat Shortt's characters

Willie Power

Willie Power is the local politician, wheeler and dealer, fixer and chairman of every committee imaginable in the tiny village. A master stroke-puller, he is capable of turning any situation to his advantage and is easily excitable when someone tries to oppose him, particularly his arch-rival Larry Cummins.

Dan Clancy

Dan Clancy is an almost permanent fixture in Jacksie's Bar, the local public house. Clancy is the local authority on all things, knowing everything about everything (though most of it is inaccurate). He boasted in the 2005 Christmas Special Episode that he had been to Jacksie's Bar "every day for the last 30 years". He is rarely shown on-screen without his trademark pint of Guinness resting in front of him. He is also involved in a regular toilet gag where he says he must 'go and sthrain the spuds'. One question that comes up is "How does Dan pay for all his Guinness?".

Goretti

Goretti is the sexually voracious proprietress of the Mount Bernadette Bed and Breakfast. A mistress of the double entendre, she has lived alone since the mysterious disappearance of her husband, the magician Mossie The Magnificent. In her spare time she is the leader of the local power walking group.

Louis Cantwell

Mr. Cantwell is a teacher in the local school and holds a not-so-secret affection towards Miss Fahy.

Pa Connors

A Traveller with a keen eye for business. Based on Pat Shortts character of Pa Connors from his DVD "Live and A Bit Dangerous". Has a brother, also called Pa Connors. He was named after his grandfather while the other Pa was named after his father.

Sgt. Dick O'Toole

Played by Pascal Scott, O'Toole is the local member of the Garda Síochána. He presides over a garda station, which is part betting office, part hardware store and part video rental agency amongst other things and will never meet a member of the public without trying to sell them something. A good friend and co-conspirator of Willie Power.

Jacksie Walsh

Jacksie Walsh, played by Páraic Breathnach, is the very grumpy proprietor of An Bonnán Buí (Irish for "The Curlew") and spends his days indulging Dan Clancy, Timmy Higgins and Jimmy Bourke, without whom he would long since be redundant. Strictly a 7Up and smoothie man he has little time for people who order what he would consider old-fashioned drinks.

Jimmy Bourke

Bourke, played by Jack Walsh, is a mechanic by trade and is Dan Clancy's side kick. He spends most of his day in the local pub where he delights in hearing Dan’s stories.

Timmy Higgins

Timmy Higgins, played by Joe Rooney, is another one of Dan Clancy's side kicks who spends most of his time in the pub. He is more often than not the butt of Dan and Jimmy's gibes and is frequently refereed to by his two drinking buddies as a liúdar‚ through a succession of daft questions and observations.

Miss Catherine Fahy

Local Primary school teacher. The object of Louis Cantwell's affections but she is married to Dieter.

Dieter Langer

Dieter Langer, played by Louis Lovett, is a German film maker turned cheese vendor, ( whose cheese has caused some very strange dreams) who originally came to Killinaskully to make a TV documentary but the tragic squashing of his equipment, coupled with his growing love for Miss Fahy, the local teacher, have meant that he is in the village for the long haul. Still trying to come to terms with the strange ways of the locals, Dieter's desire to fit in is somewhat hampered by his innate belief in the importance of being earnest.

Fr. Philip Eno

Played by John Keogh, Fr. Philip is an amiable type who just wants people to get along. His name sounds "Filipino", which caused confusion prior to his arrival. However, the show received a hostile reaction from viewers almost immediately as the name was deemed 'severely racist'.

Larry Cummins

Larry, played by Gerry Walsh, is a local politician with a consistent record: 1 vote at every council election. He is always seeking to put one over on Willie Power.

The Widow Gilhooley

Played by Maria McDermottroe, Mrs. Gilhooley is a stern woman who is "not, I repeat not in the habit of repeating" herself.

Theo Whitmore

Played by Jim Queally, Theo is a well-educated Protestant with an air of sophistication and fan of literature who regularly quotes poetry and who likes to assist in the artistic and literary aspects of the community, such as directing the nativity play at Christmas. Once was the barman in Jacksies while Jacksie was at a funeral and lodged with him for a time when his life was put under threat by his dead mother's dealings with a notorious money lender.

Bridie Clancy

Played by Mary Harvey, she is Dan's sister.

Clancy

A boy who has a habit of ruining important moments, such as spoiling the nativity play by saying that there was in fact room at the inn. He shares Dan's surname although it is not clear if he is related to him or not.

Series

The series has oft been repeated by RTÉ; below are the dates of original transmission.

#	First airing
1	2004
2	25 September 2005
3	2006
4	30 September 2007
5	28 September 2008

Episodes

Series one (2003-2004)

#	Title	Original airdate	# in series
1	"The German Fillum/Slow Through Killinaskully"	TBA	TBA
An air of excitement descends on Killinaskully with the arrival of a German film crew intent on making a documentary about rural Irish life. there is an unusual twist as the film crews patience reaches the end of its teather.
2	"The Date"	TBA	TBA
Romance is in the air as German filmmaker Dieter Langer and headmaster Mr. Cantwell clash, as they both vie for the affections of the teacher Miss Fahy.
3	"The New Priest"	TBA	TBA
There is a new resident in Killinaskully, the new parish priest. However, the residents faith is put to the test when the new cleric turns out to be a little more exotic than they're used to.
4	"The Sign"	TBA	TBA
There is sad news in the village as everyone believes that Timmy Higgins' demise is imminent. A trip to his beloved "Spudworld" is hastily planned but, as Timmy heads for the airport, the terrible truth emerges.
5	"The Pitch"	TBA	TBA
The Killinaskully GAA club have been using "the pitch" for as long as anyone can remember, so, when the widow Gilhooley puts it up for auction they are confident it will be theirs. That is until a flamboyant American swaggers into town. The episode is a parody of the film The Field, based on the play written by John B. Keane.
6	"The Funeral"	TBA	TBA
Killinaskully is in festive mood as it prepares for the funeral of one of its most famous sons, showjumper Jumpin' Jerry Houlihan. Preparations for an extravagant burial are thrown into disarray with news that Jumpin' Jerry has already been cremated. Things get a little embarrassing when the great man's ashes disappear and it's left to Jimmy Magee to restore the village pride.

#	Title	Original airdate	# in series
1	"Christmas Special I: The Nativity"	TBA	TBA
Dan, Jimmy and Timmy endeavour to do their Christmas shopping in a rival town. Meanwhile a couple (including an expectant mother) arrive in Killinaskully and seek a place to stay...

Series two (2005)

#	Title	Original airdate	# in series
1	"The Election"	TBA	TBA
Killinaskully is gripped with election fever as the local elections take place. Councillor Willie Power is expected to hold his seat, however, he is challenged by Dieter Langer of the Green Party. Meanwhile chaos ensues in Jacksie's when his niece takes pink Snacks off the menu.
2	"The Dogs"	TBA	TBA
The whole town stands to make a fortune when Jimmy nobbles Willie's greyhound and drives his price up for a big race. Only divine intervention can put the dog off his stride. Meanwhile, Dieter attempts to pop the question to Miss Fahy.
3	"The Visit"	TBA	TBA
A visit from a dim-witted U.S. president claiming local roots fills the Killinaskullians with excitement. But when the town is taken over by Secret Service agents, only Dan, Killinaskully's own spin master, can put the president in his place.
4	"The Night Out"	TBA	TBA
While nurse Moloney tries to whip Timmy into shape, the wedding of the year is put on hold after Dieter is found in a compromising position in the ladies' toilet. Despite the best efforts of Cantwell to take advantage of the situation and Miss Fahy, a romantic gesture of Hollywood proportions saves the day.
5	"The Ad"	TBA	TBA
Dan gets more than he bargained for when he places an ad in the lonely hearts page of the Gazette, while Jacksie and Fr. Philip go head to head over the contraption in the gents toilet.
6	"The Play"	TBA	TBA
Killinaskully is poised to take on arch enemy, Bally, in the second Annual One-Act Drama Festival. It's been fifty years since the first one so all eyes are on Dan as he thatches the set of The Priest And The Pot ‘o Soup but, it being Halloween, there might be a scary outcome.

#	Title	Original airdate	# in series
2	"Christmas Special II: A Killinaskully Christmas Carol"	TBA	TBA
Dan is visited by three ghosts on Christmas night who help him discover the true meaning of the season.

Behind The Scenes At Killinaskully

A making-of feature on the second season, broadcast in December.

Series three (2006)

#	Title	Original airdate	# in series
1	"The Radio Station"	TBA	TBA
Killinaskully finds its voice when KCR radio takes to the air. Dan's Roger Whitaker albums are a big hit and Goretti tries to spread some romance with her phone-in show. But will the station coax people away from Jacksie's as Fr. Philip intended? Probably not.
2	"The Sports Day"	TBA	TBA
It's a bad day for fr. Phillip when he discovered his that bally's new Parish priest is his old nemesis, fr. Bob 'speedy' Gilmartin. With the sports day coming up, all eyes are on the all priests 10k road race and the u-12 'friendly hurling match' between killinaskully & the bally boys.
3	"The School Year"	TBA	TBA
When Miss Fahey disappears there is chaos at the school. Willy struggles to get a new principal before the school inspector arrives.
4	"The Driving Test"	TBA	TBA
When Dan refuses to retract the sexist remarks that he makes about women drivers, all the women in the village go on strike.
5	"The Cheese Dreams"	TBA	TBA
It's Hallowe'en and Dieter decides to try out some new cheese on the unsuspecting Killinaskullians. With Merry Men, Zombies and a visit to the ER, Dieter's gastronomic episode turns into a bit of a nightmare ... or two ... or three.
6	"The Lifeboat"	TBA	TBA
When a leak is sprung in the roof of the community hall, Willy Power decides to use the EEC lifeboat money to fix it. Chaos can only ensue when an inspector visits wishing to see the lifeboat... elsewhere Goretti discovers the delights of trampolining.

#	Title	Original airdate	# in series
3	"Christmas Special III: The Christmas Concert"	TBA	TBA
Dan, Jimmy and Timmy discuss the existence of Santa in Jacksie's. Larry Cummins tries to persuade Fr. Philip to hold a nativity play while in the confession box. Fr. Philip suggests a Christmas concert instead. Goretti is asked to participate but is upset at the refusal of her magic act; cutting herself in half. Dieter goes Christmas shopping, leaving Timmy in charge of his cheese stall in the village. Sergeant Dick attempts to sell a lightsaber to Pa Connors. Willie Power asks Dick to dress as Santa for the village grotto but has to stand in himself at the last minute as Dick is called into duty. Later the stage is set for a special performance by Goretti and the Gorettis as the finale of the Christmas Gala Evening.

Series four (2007)

#	Title	Original airdate	# in series
1	"The Horse Whisperer "	TBA	TBA
Pa Connors has yet another get rich quick scheme while Jacksie bans speaking English in the pub. Pa soon finds that the course of true love does not run smoothly, especially where horses are involved.
2	"The Stoats "	TBA	TBA
With a by-pass threatening the future of the village and rumours circulating about the arrival of the Olympics, it would take all of Willie Power’s cunning to save the day. Willie, however, is too busy trying to become a stoat.
3	"The Crime Spree "	TBA	TBA
With Killinaskully in the grip of a crime spree, a concert by country singer turned rapper, Big Diddy, is expected to bring some relief. However, with Timmy playing backwards, he is threatened with a rap himself.
4	"The Visitor "	TBA	TBA
Dan's old scouting buddy proves popular with the locals even though Dan has no recollection of ever meeting him. When the visitor dips his hand in everyone's pocket Dan turns detective.
5	"The Treasure Map "	TBA	TBA
A mysterious stranger with an intriguing map lures Dan on a spectacular treasure hunt. There is also a giant golf ball on the loose (a parody of the Indiana Jones franchise) and the dreaded Bally Boys are up to their old tricks.
6	"The Wedding "	TBA	TBA
Things are looking up for Dieter when Catherine returns from her travels and agrees to be his bride. But difficulties lie ahead in the shape of fighting in-laws and Timmy in of the rings.

#	Title	Original airdate	# in series
4	"Christmas Special IV: The Last Round"	TBA	TBA
The people rejoice that the pub has closed for good, citing drink-driving as the main reason.

Series five (2008)

#	Title	Original airdate	# in series
1	"The Will"	28 September 2008	TBA
Theo's mother dies but leaves Theo nothing in her will due to her being a secret opium addict (according to her solicitor).
2	TBA	5 October 2008	TBA
3	TBA	12 October 2008	TBA
The annual Killinaskully vs. Bally Rally
4	TBA	19 October 2008	TBA
5	TBA	26 October 2008	TBA
6	TBA	2 November 2008	TBA

Reception

Most receptions are postive. The show pulls in an average viewership of 500,000 for each episode and rising as high as 800,000 for Christmas specials. On 25 December 2005, 825,000 viewers tuned in to watch A Killinaskully Christmas Carol[1]. Christmas Day 2007 attracted viewing figures of 770,000 for Christmas Special IV: The Last Round.[2]

Criticism

John Boland of the Irish Independent has asserted that the characters lack depth: "I've never been much of a fan of Pat Shortt's broad brand of comedy, with its gallery of cartoon-culchie villagers wearing silly wigs and speaking in exaggerated mock accents."

Trivia

• In Series Three: Episode 6 "The Lifeboat", it is revealed that Killinaskully is 117 km (73 miles) from the sea while neighbouring Bally is 134 km (83 miles) from the coast.
• In Christmas Special III: "The Christmas Concert", it is revealed that Timmy is 48 years of age. This occurs when Dan asks him his age after Timmy tries to convince him that Santa is real.

See also

• D'Unbelievables
• Jumbo Breakfast Roll

External links

• Tourist's Guide to Killinaskully
• Killinascully on RTE.ie
• Review of Killinaskully