Glenroe

Glenroe was a Irish television drama series broadcast between 1982 and 2001 on RTÉ One. The programme was a spin-off from Bracken, a short-lived RTÉ drama itself spun off from The Riordans. It was regularly screened on Sunday nights at 8:30pm. The show was created, and written for much its run, by Wesley Burrowes.

Related Topics:
Irish - Television - Drama - 1982 - 2001 - RTÉ One - Spin-off - Bracken - The Riordans - Wesley Burrowes

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The programme centred on the lives of the people of the fictional rural village of Glenroe (actually Kilcoole), in County Wicklow. The main protaganists were the Byrne and McDermott/Moran families, related by the marriage of Miley Byrne to Biddy McDermott. Other characters included the Roman Catholic and Protestant priests of the village (Tim Deveraux and George Black respectively), Teasy McDaid, the proprietor of the local pub, Biddy's cousin Fidelma Kelly, and others. One notable character was Blackie Connors, who was one of the first Irish traveller characters on television.

Related Topics:
Kilcoole - County Wicklow - Roman Catholic - Protestant - Priests - Irish traveller

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The programme was noted for its original title sequence, which featured the words "Gleann Rua" morph into "Glenroe" over a series of rural images. Its distinctive theme tune is still recognised. A later title sequence featured a more modern arrangement. A song from the series, The By-Road to Glenroe, was released as a single in Ireland, featuring the theme tune as its B-side.

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The programme ended in 2001, after two major actors, Joe Lynch and Mary McEvoy, left the show. It was replaced by On Home Ground, which ran for two seasons. Currently, RTÉ have no major rural drama series, with Fair City now being their only regular soap opera.

Related Topics:
2001 - On Home Ground - Fair City

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