The cast of Harbour Hotel share some memories of the popular RTÉ radio soap and lament its end.
After fiteen years the RTÉ Radio 1 soap 'Harbour Hotel' is coming to an end.
Soon, they'll belong to the folklore of Irish broadcasting.
Ahead of the final broadcast on RTÉ Radio 1, the Harbour Hotel cast join Pat Kenny for a special one-off television scene from the fictional south east.
Opening with the familiar theme tune, members of the cast are accompanied by a production member who provides live sound effects. As preparations for Christmas are underway there is discussion about the possible closure of the hotel.
Harbour Hotel cast regulars Chris Curran as Gabriel Murphy, Patrick Dawson as Paddy Boylan, Barbara McCaughey as Kathryn O'Connell, Kevin McHugh as Charlie Conway, and Colette Proctor as Marie Belton are joined by Pat Kenny playing himself.
The actors are sad to see the programme come to an end. Patrick Dawson, while playing the character of Paddy Boylan, has also been part of a team of writers on over 800 episodes of the show. He is keeping the end secret until the final episode is broadcast next week.
Harbour Hotel was broadcast five days a week for over fifteen years. In total, there were 4,059 episodes. Jim Reid, who played Aidan Belton, spoke the first word on the show, which was 'Hello'. Kevin McHugh says that the end of the show is a great loss to a lot of actors who found employment on the radio. Patrick Dawson pays tribute to the loyal listeners.
There was a very solid listenership and we've had mass bouquets, and letters and all sorts of things from listeners.
All the actors believe that there is a need for drama on the radio.
This episode of 'Kenny Live' was broadcast on 22 December 1990. The presenter is Pat Kenny.
