Barry has had more knocks than Mike Tyson, but he has always been able to recover. Since his best friend mistakenly accused him of inappropriate behaviour with a minor, and the gossip mill has gone into over-drive, Barry's life has spiralled out of control. Can Barry ever recover from taking Sarah's life?

We put some of your questions to Pat Nolan.

What has been the most memorable for you during your time on Fair City?

As you can imagine after 22 years on the show that's a tough question. There are many, many great stories - some I can't repeat ('what happens in Carrigstown, stays in Carrigstown...!). I remember my first day on the show and it seems like only yesterday. There was great excitement around, I don't think everyone expected the show to last for so long, but with a lot of hard work from a lot of people, it worked.

I remember and wish to honour all the actors who have passed on; I learned so much from them, Eileen Murphy, Charlie Roberts, Jim Reid, Joan Brosnan Walsh, Brendan Cauldwell, Pat Leavy, Anna Managhan and Don Foley, to name a few. I think their spirits live on in the DNA of Fair City, in the sets, the dressing rooms and the studios.

Will Barry ever talk about the past with Niamh?

I think he needs to talk to someone!! He's in at the deep end. He came close to confessing to Niamh recently, but the time wasn't right, maybe later. Who knows? Talking about the past may be a way into untangling his current dilemma, and Niamh would fit the bill.

Did you feel that Vivienne should have trusted Barry in the first place?

That would have been nice! But I think her maternal instinct kicked in and she wasn't willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.

Well done on the recent storyline, very well acted, who do you think is Barry's closest friend?

Thank you. At this moment he's very much a man alone, who's lost in this nightmare world that he has created. Trying to stay sane and ahead of the posse - which lie will he tell today?
It doesn't leave much room for friendship. The only one he can really talk to is Denzo! But is he a friend?

Did you find it difficult playing the recent storyline, killing Sarah, and fraternising with Denzo Bishop?

God yes!! So sad. I enjoy it as an actor; it's always nice to get your teeth into a good storyline. Seeing the character going through this torment is not nice. But as an actor you never judge his motives, just justify them, build an arc and play it as real as you can. You have to be willing as the actor to go on the character's journey.

What storyline would you give Barry?

That an episode opens and Barry steps out of the shower and the past few months have been a dream/nightmare!!

Barry has been an integral part of Fair City since it started. What has been your favourite storyline, Barry has got?

The Barry/Ross/Sorcha love triangle, from 2005 was fun and great for a soap. Barry ended up having a nervous breakdown and ended up in a Mental Hospital, where he met Annette, and the beat goes on. The fact that I won an International Award (Rose D'Or) for Best Soap Actor in Switzerland made it even more special. This current storyline is a cracker as well.

Which do you prefer filming in - the Hungry Pig, McCoys or the Station?

The Station is the newest set of the three and I must say I've enjoyed working in it, it has a bit of space, and it looks well on screen. McCoys goes back to 'day one', so that set would hold lots of memories for me. I'm still waiting for the 'Hungry Pig' to grow on me.

If Barry won the Euromillions what would he do to Carrigstown?

Knowing him, he would put it into the Community, I'm sure he wouldn't be short of takers!
Jo and 'The Helping Hand' would have two hands out! I think he would give his house a makeover (too many bad memories), or maybe even buy a new one, buy a new car (more bad memories). And maybe hair extensions, and definitely a tattoo.

What are the best and worst qualities to the character?

Barry's heart is always in the right place and he honestly does care for people and his community. However, he can be his own worst enemy. When it comes to relationships, he seems to have a self-destructive side. Just when he's happiest, it all goes wrong. It's like a self-fulfilling prophesy.

Who is your favourite character in Fair City?

I enjoy watching the show when I can. And Dermot (Seamus Power) makes me laugh. He and Jo (Sarah Jessica Rachael Murphy) are a good team.

What cast members do you enjoy working with the most?

During the most recent story, I've enjoyed working with Paul and Niamh, because there is a history there. As an actor you could use that in the scene. Working with Lewis (who plays Denzo) has been great, the story has been so intense - you need a good partner to be there for you and vice versa.

Do you think will Barry ever settle down and have a family and be a happy character?

The clock is ticking for Mr. O'Hanlon!! He's no spring chicken. That would be nice, but would he be happy? Be careful what you wish for, but then this is Carrigstown, anything can happen!!

When was Barry most happy, studying to be a priest, teaching, as a school principal as a newspaper editor or was there another time he was most happy?

In an episode coming up, Barry tells Vivienne that the newspaper was his favourite. And the newspaper trio of Sarah, Duncan and Barry was great craic, with deadlines and all that stuff, then when the recession came, trying to keep the whole thing afloat. As an actor, I loved the set for the Northside Post, it had a big playing area, with lots of fun areas to do scenes.

Of Barry's love interest, which was his favourite?

That's a tough one. I think as he got older his need to settle down became more important to him. So I think he put a lot of faith in his relationship with Annette, and we all know how that ended up.

Pat, what was it like on the set of Batman Begins?

Great fun. It was only a small part (blink and you'll miss me) but it was so nice to see how the other half lives; the scale of the production was huge. It was also nice to have a bit of screen time with Gary Oldman, who's career I've followed for many years. Which leads us nicely to...

Who's the most famous actor you have worked with?

I always had a fear of working/meeting famous people. As they say 'never meet your heroes'. I don't want to be let down by them. And to be honest, that hasn't really happened. I did a couple of things with Pierce Brosnan (pre James Bond) on 'Remington Steele' and 'Taffin' and he was really nice. Gary Oldman was great too. I've also worked with some of the Royalty (Kings and Queens!) of the Irish Stage and Screen: Cyril Cusack, Maureen Potter, Niall Tobin, Deirdre O'Connell, Tony Doyle, Ray McAnnally, John Kavanagh and Stephen O'Halloran to name a few.

Thank you for your questions.