Avoca residents revel in limelight of TV series

THOMAS Moore wouldn't much like it, but then he's not around to rewrite his immortal lines. His "sweet vale of Avoca" is in danger of losing its identity as lost British tourists in Wicklow stop and ask the way to "Ballykissmearse".

Unperturbed, Father Dan Breen of Avoca is not the sort of priest to be embarrassed by such language ... or by the intense interest shown in him and his village by hordes of visitors from across the Irish Sea.

Father Dan, who met his republican namesake several times ("he accused me of naming a confessional box after him") has already described the national broadcasting service as a pain in the posterior for failing to recognise the potential of the BBC series Ballykissangel at commissioning stage.

"Everyone here is delighted," Father Dan said, as he waxed lyrical about the tourism spin off for the former copper mining community and took the opportunity to have another swipe at RTE.

"Not only has it lost its sense of humour, but RTE has become like the Catholic Church in the 1950s - autocratic and abusing its power," he said. For all its flaws, the image of Ireland portrayed by Ballykissangel is probably far less "mythical" than that reflected at times in the media, he believes.

Father Dan admits he had doubts initially when approached for the first series last year. He convened a public meeting. "The senior producer, the late Joy Layle, assured us that it wouldn't be `oirish' or a `paddywhackery' thing. She provided a night's free drinking in the local pub and everyone believed her. Constance Harris, the locations manager, was very professional and that also helped."

Describing the series as "whimsical and lighthearted", Father Dan is not the least bit worried about the impact on the church. "It is harmless, and it is superior to Father Ted, which is too smartarsed for me." As for his superiors, he thinks they have "far too much on their plates to be concerned now about a TV soap".

English and American tourists, were, lighting candles in "St Joseph's" church yesterday. Stuart Wilson and his wife, Susan, and two daughters, from were in Ireland on a diving course. Mr Wilson said that he had a particular interest - a connection through his mother with the series' author, Kieran Prendville.

His friends, Stuart and Leslie Hanson from Bury, Lancashire, watched the series "religiously", they said. They had also viewed the real Avoca congregation last week on the BBC series, Songs of Praise.

Three bikers, Wendy and Ian Brown, and Mark Summerfield from London, said they normally avoided other tourists. "In fact, we came to photograph them," they quipped. They were en route to Glendalough and curiosity got the better of them. The village was not what they had expected. "But then, whatever is?"

Down at Fitzgerald's, originally the Fountain Bar, the premises was a constant photo shoot. Kelly, the owner, said the had given the Vale of Avoca Development Association a significant boost.

"We have all sorts of long term plans, which we now have confidence to push through."

The filming had also given work to up to 200 extras, he said. The crews where due to return in July, staying in local hotels and bed and breakfasts. Hence the permanent post office sign in the main street for Baile Coiste Aingil. The real post office is still open for business, across the river and under the bridge.