Brian Quigley, Father Peter Clifford, Assumpta Fitzgerald

written july 14th, 1998

By Mike Phillips

Assumpta Fitzgerald and Father Peter Clifford are two of the many characters from the realm of television that have fallen in love and had the cold winds of fate blow so unkindly on them.

Like most relationships the characters had chemistry when they first met.
Assumpta seemed interested in Peter until she learned he was a priest.

By the series sixth episode Assumpta was the leading force behind a petition to keep Father Clifford in Ballykissangel.

Peter was all set to kiss Assumpta in the play "Ryans Mother". But the ever present Father Mac put the kibosh on the kiss that we all so wanted to see.

The anticipation of something happening can sometimes be more fulfilling than when the actual even happens.

When most screen characters have a will they or wont they type relationship when "IT" happens most series writers don't know where to go from that point onward.

Were you watching Moonlighting when Dave and Maddie did "IT" and lost their sparkle? It wasnt a pretty sight.

When two characters on a series get together most times the few sparks that are generated are not for the betterment of the series.

The TV series FRIENDS was much more interesting before and after the Ross/Rachel relationship than during it.

If Assumpta would have lived Ballykissangel would definately changed. But for the better? or for the worse? We can only guess. But one can imagine the story possibilities might be endless, and controversial.

But what can't live on television can blossom in real life.

Stephen Tompkinson and Dervla Kerwan are a couple in real life. And they are very much in love.

Assumpta Fitzgerald lives on in the hearts of the residents of Ballykissangel. And if Peter Clifford were ever to return he would realize just how many people besides Assumpta loved him.