A Fairy happy birthday; The cast and crew of Ireland's favourite soap celebrate 20 dramatic years at RTE.

Byline: SARAH BARDON

LIFE in Carrigstown has changed in the past two decades - but four characters have survived the test of time.

Pat Nolan, Tony Tormey, Tom Jordan, and Sarah McDowell all appeared on the first episode on a Monday night back in 1989.

Tom, who is new Mayor of Carrigstown Charlie, said: "Life in Carrigstown was very different 20 years ago. It was much more working class, everyone had a cigarette butt in The aired their mouth. We filmed out in Ardmore [studios in Co Wicklow].

"This [RTE] studio wasn't built. We filmed all the exteriors out in Ardmore and interior stuff in Drumcondra.

"It was on a direct flight path to Dublin Airport so every three minutes we had to stop.

"It was crazy, we were filming until one o'clock in the morning. They were long days."

Fair City first aired on September 18, 1989, for one episode a week and for a limited run. The first episode attracted an audience of 1.06million viewers.

By 1999, the show was entertaining viewers three times weekly and now as Fair City celebrates 20 years, fans can enjoy the soap four times a week.

The storylines are a far cry from what they were 20 years ago - with this week alone offering murder, lesbian kisses and affairs.

Paul Brennan and Barry O'Hanlon have been at the centre of the biggest storylines to rock Carrigstown. But the actors who play them said they are still excited and amazed by what the Fair City writers can come up. Tony, who plays Lothario Paul, said: "I remember the first rehearsal, us going down introducing ourselves to each other and it was weird because I hadn't done TV before. I was bricking it. I have been lucky enough to have great storylines and hopefully they keep coming. The first scene was me jogging down to Charlie's daughter Bernie to ask her to marry me - God, how things have changed." Pat added: "[Barry] is so fun to play, good storylines and it keeps you interested.

"I have gone to the dark side so many times, I am like Batman. When they have a story for Bahave gone to the

rry, it is never a happy one.

"It starts off happy and then everything goes downhill. It has been a fantastic 20 years."

The pair admitted it is hard for fans of the show to separate them from their characters. Tony said: "When Paul had the heart attack last year, if you were having a quick fag outside a pub people would be coming up saying, 'You shouldn't be smoking'.

"We have been there from the word go, so we have a history with the public, they can remember what Barry, Paul and Charlie did."

Sarah McDowell, who plays Suzanne, is the only female character to last the two decades. Four cast Sarah was just eight when she was bullied in her teen years over her role.

She revealed: "I was only eight years old and it was very exciting.

"Me, my sister and my brother were extras in the beginning and I never thought then that I would still be there in 20 years' time.

"In first year in school, I got an awful time, I had to leave.

"Still, at the age of 13, it was great fun. I did get a hard time but you have to kind of take it and move on.

"Kids can be cruel but that is all over now."

FAIR FACT

The soap was first aired on Sept 18, 1989

FAIR FACT

When it began the RTE studio had not yet been built

FAIR FACT

1.06million people watched first episode me would

FAIR FACT

Four of the current cast appeared in the first episode she

Your favourite moments from Carrigstown...

FAIR City, Ireland's longest-running soap, celebrates 20 years on our screens today.

And it is still one of Ireland's biggest-rating shows, capturing the imagination of viewers all over the country four nights a week.

We asked you, our loyal readers, for your thoughts on the best moments over the last two decades.

And one thing is certain - he might be dead but the character of Billy Meehan lives on.

Most of you reckoned that Meehan, played by Stuart Dunne from 1999 to 2001, was the greatest character ever to walk the streets of Carrigstown.

But there are so many more juicy storylines throughout the years that you have loved.

Here are the best bits, voted for by Irish Daily Mirror readers.

MURDER OF BILLY MEEHAN - 2001

Billy Meehan was the local crime boss, married to Carol Foley. He was a nasty piece of work who abused both his wife and his mistress Tracey before being killed by Lorcan, for whom Carol was leaving him.

Stuart P Lynch from Co Offaly said: "Billy Meehan's criminal antics were what put Fair City at the top of the TV chart."

FLOYD AND HEATHER'S INCEST - 2003/2008

RTE chiefs made a brave move with the incestuous relationship between Floyd and his half-sister Heather. Carrigstown was rocked as the explosive story ripped apart the Phelan family.

John Kelly from Limerick said: "Incest was the last taboo - and the struggle has brought the issue into the public domain."

THE JIMMY/ROBIN/ALI LOVE TRIANGLE - 2008

Jimmy Doyle had found love at last when he married blonde mechanic Robin.

But shortly after her erratic behaviour forced Jimmy into the arms of Ali Foley.

But he could no longer deal with the cat fights and eventually left for Australia. Anne Duffy from Waterford said: "Jimmy is a great character, hopefully he'll return."

MONDO AND KIRA COPE WITH A TEEN PREGNANCY - 2003

There was never a story more true to life in modern Ireland as when Mondo and Kira were faced with life as parents. The couple defied all the odds and gave baby Juliet a good life. But eventually they moved to England.

Mary Doherty in Donegal said: "George McMahon and Carla Young were great actors and they did this storyline justice."

NICOLA BRAVELY DEALS WITH BREAST CANCER - 2004

When Nicola Prendergast, played by Claudia Carroll, was diagnosed with breast cancer, viewers watched as her world fell apart.

While she had chemotherapy her boyfriend had an affair with her sister.

Chris in Michelstown said: "Claudia Carroll was fantastic and it gripped viewers - it was outstanding acting and viewing."

FIRST GAY KISS - 1996

It was the first daytime gay kiss on Irish television.

And the snog between Eoin and his boyfriend bisexual Liam rocked the country.

The kiss made history but since then there have been a few more in Carrigstown, most recently between Yvonne and her lover Connie.

FR MALACHY LEAVING THE PRIESTHOOD - 1998

The priest struggled with his faith and after a steamy affair with McCoy's landlady Kay, Malachy walked away from his beliefs to be with the woman he loved.

Annette Kelly from Co Louth, said: "The storyline was very dramatic and showed how priests can struggle with celibacy."

CAPTION(S):

CITY FOLK Fair City actors have a party in McCoy's Bar yesterday Picture: COLLINS CHEERS GIRLS Sorcha Furlong, Jenny Kavanagh and Clelia Murphy VETERANS Original cast members Jim Bartley, Pat Nolan, Sarah McDowall, Tony Tormey and Tom Jordan A GLASS ACT Cast from the soap celebrate on set in 1997