The Irish R.M.

infobox television
show_name = The Irish R.M.


caption = "The Irish R.M." (book cover)
format = Comedy / Drama
runtime = 50minutes
creator = E. Somerville
M. Ross
starring = Peter Bowles
Doran Godwin
Bryan Murray
country = United Kingdom / Ireland
network = Channel Four, RTÉ One
first_aired = 1983
last_aired = 1985
num_episodes = 18
imdb_id = 0144053 |

The Irish R.M. refers to a series of books by the Anglo-Irish novelists Somerville and Ross, and the television comedy-drama series based on them. They are set in turn-of-the-century west of Ireland.

The TV series was made in the 1980s, and was filmed in Ireland at locations in Kildare and Wicklow with additional locations in the West of Ireland in a co-production between Ulster Television and Radio Telefís Éireann. It was broadcast on Channel 4 in the UK and RTÉ One in the Republic of Ireland. Like the books, the TV series is a number of short stories around a few central characters. The house used as Assolas Castle, the residence of the erstwhile Mrs. Knox (located at Newhall, Naas in Kildare) was badly damaged by fire following completion of filming for the series, it has since been returned to its former glory.Johnstown Kennedy - the house used as Major Yeates' residence, Shreelane House - was situated near Rathcoole, Co. Dublin. It was demolished soon after the 3rd series was completed and a golf course now stands on the site.

The various stories concern the life of an Irish ex-British Army officer Resident Magistrate (R.M.) recently appointed to his position in Ireland, which at that stage was still wholly a part of the United Kingdom, and before the creation of the present day Republic of Ireland.

The RM has to deal with all sorts of everyday events with colourful characters, often being outfoxed by the machinations of his Anglo-Irish friend, Flurry Knox (Bryan Murray).

The humour in the series is greatly enhanced if the viewer has a broad understanding of the history of Ireland’s relationship with England, and how Ireland was governed, as well as the Irish country way of life. The show is, however, not political, although caricatures of people are used for humorous purposes.

The R.M., Major Yeates, is played by Peter Bowles, who also starred in "To the Manor Born" — the light-hearted humorous style of the Irish RM has often been compared with "To the Manor Born", although in a period Irish context instead of a present-day (as then was) English context.

In one scene, the major’s English wife, Philippa (Doran Godwin) is dancing with a stable-hand, Slipper (Niall Toibin), at a servants’ ball. Slipper ventures to say that ‘The English and the Irish understand each other like the fox and the hound,’ to which the lady replies in good humour, ‘But which is which?’ The answer is, ‘Ah well, if we knew that, we’d know everything!’

Original books

The television series is based on stories drawn from:
*"Some Experiences of an Irish RM" (Longmans, Green & Co., London, 1899)
*"Further Experiences of an Irish RM" (Longmans Green & Co., London, 1908)
*"In Mr Knox's Country" (Longmans Green & Co., London, 1915)

DVD Release

Series One, Two and Three of "The Irish RM" are available on DVD in the UK.

External links

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