The Irish R.M.

1983 • Channel 4

3.7

3 reviews

Rating

Eligible

Season 3 episodes (6)

1 The Muse in Skebawn

6/2/85

With Philippa in England tending to her ailing mother, Major Yeates’s problems multiply. A shifty entrepreneur brings moving pictures into Skebawn, creating havoc that the Major must subdue while also fending off the unwanted advances of Miss Bobbie Bennett.

2 Major Apollo Riggs

6/9/85

The Major’s sister, Barbara, looks after him in Philippa’s absence. Cousin Andrew also arrives to help and begins to fix everything in sight, including a crumbling chimney and a mysterious well. Cold water and strange spirits are unleashed as Andrew’s enthusiasm goes a bit too far.

3 Friend of Her Youth

6/16/85

Babs fondly reminisces about her old friend Julian Chichester, who is coming to stay at Shreelane. But no sooner does Chichester arrive than he begins to scorn the Major’s household, including a beloved canine. Flurry decides to teach Chichester a lesson, resulting in a disastrous sailing trip.

4 In the Curranhilty Country

6/23/85

It’s time for the hunt as the Major drives to meet with the Curranhilty Harriers in a noisy new motor car, suffering the disdain of the locals. The excursion doesn’t quite go as planned, as the Major continuously finds himself in an awkward position with Miss Bennett.

5 Lisheen Races

6/30/85

As the Lisheen Races take hold of Skebawn, Sally strikes a deal to enter the competition, while Mrs. Cadogan discourages Peter from betting on the horses. The Major is surprised to learn that his job performance has been called into question by a visiting Dublin official.

6 The Devil You Know

7/7/85

The Major receives an offer to become R.M. in a community closer to Dublin. Upon hearing of the offer, Mrs. Cadogan and the rest of the household think it’s a joke. But unexpected frustrations cause the Major to resign.

About this show

Peter Bowles (Rumpole of the Bailey, To the Manor Born) stars in this lighthearted drama series as Major Sinclair Yeates, a retired English army officer who becomes a resident magistrate in turn-of-the-20th-century West Ireland. Living in a ramshackle country house surrounded by the community’s eccentric inhabitants, Major Yeates struggles to apply judicial logic in a land where “the inevitable never happens, but the improbable frequently does. Based on the works of Somerville and Ross, these “winning adaptations” (The Boston Globe) were shot entirely on location in County Kildare and capture the beauty of the lush Irish countryside. This complete series also stars Beryl Reid (Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy), Bryan Murray (Perfect Scoundrels), Niall Toibin (Ballykissangel), and Sarah Badel (Mrs. Dalloway).

Ratings and reviews

3.7

3 reviews