Thirty years ago, Ireland’s legendary television soap The Riordans came to an end after 15 years onscreen, causing a big outcry. Centred on a fictional Kilkenny farming family, it delivered domestic drama, high comedy, agricultural advice and broached controversial topics like contraception and marriage breakdown. And into the bargain, thanks to farming bachelors and bikinis, it made rural Ireland sexy.
Michael Riordan, one of its main characters, was played by the late Chris O’Neill and in this documentary his daughter, actor Aisling O’Neill (‘Carol’ in Fair City), journeys back into her father’s past to rediscover this cutting-edge drama series and social phenomenon.
Credits
Presenter – Aisling O’Neill
Executive Producer, RTÉ – David McKenna
Executive Producer – Martha O’Neill
Producer – Adrian McCarthy
Assoc Producer – Adam Rynne
Researcher – Phil Healy
Camera – Richard Kendrick
Editor – Juangus Dinsmore
Director – Gerry Nelson