FAIR CITY, IRELAND’s longest-running soap, is celebrating its 25th anniversary this week.
Yep, it gets a lot of stick, but its fans are legion (the 18,000 people who like this active Fair City Fans Facebook page will attest to that).
Dear Fair City: We’re hard on you. But we have to give you some credit. You’re still here.
First things first – you’re wildly unrealistic
How can people ‘leave Carrigstown’ after huge life events, then come back and never say anything about it again?
Why does such a small area have such a high crime rate? How is this?
But you have also tackled some ‘big issues’ in Ireland
Domestic abuse, incest, rape – just some of the things that have been covered by the soap over its run.
Fair City has also had some massive firsts – like the gay kiss between Eoghan and Liam in 1996, the first of its kind on Irish television.
Your theme tune is a thing of beauty
It’s had a reinvention as of late, but we’re talking about the theme tune at its 90s/early 00s best.
Oh. Yes.
You can really pull in the star power
Fair City’s guest stars have been weird and wonderful. Maeve Binchy appeared at a fundraiser for Bob Charles. Marty Whelan quietly had some grub in McCoy’s. Shane McGowan turned up to a concert in the city.
Don’t question it. Just accept it.
The acting is famously patchy
It’s as if a scene cannot peacefully pass without some character or another chewing the curtains.
But can you look anyone in the eye and say it’s worse than some of what you see on Eastenders or Emmerdale?
And some of the characters have been there for donkey’s years
Paul Brennan. Charlie Kelly. Yvonne Doyle. May they live for ever and ever.
So here’s to another 25 years
Yes, really. Because if Fair City can make it to 25, it sure as hell can make it to 50. Godspeed.
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