We caught up with Fair City star Amy Kirwan to find out her hopes for Mairead and Damien this festive season and beyond, and to hear which storylines she loved watching play out on the soap this year.
It's been a very trying year for Mairead between the fling with Tommy, the will-they-won't-they? altar drama with Damien, Will's trial and then his death. Is she going to have a peaceful Christmas?
It will be a very peaceful Christmas for the Halpins this year, time spent with friends and family. They deserve it, don't ya think?!
Her good friend Cristiano has hope on the horizon in the form of his new romance with Patrick. Is Mairead glad he is moving on with his life, or in her heart of hearts does she have a feeling it's all happening too fast?
I think after how things played out with Will she feels slightly responsible for the mistreatment of Cristiano, so her apprehension is her way of looking out for him. Cristiano is like a little brother to Mairead. She cares deeply for him and is very protective of him. Being quite an anxious person herself, she would be cautious about jumping into vulnerable situations and tends to project that onto others. She just wants him to not get hurt again! But ultimately, of course, she's happy he's found happiness, and eventually supports his decisions.
Do you think Mairead feels she can truly move on with her own life now that Will is gone?
In a physical sense, they can move on with their lives without him turning up unannounced, which he did quite often. But Mairead definitely carries the emotional baggage of Phoebe losing her dad and her growing up without him. Also, the guilt of not answering the phone to him the night before he died… What was he calling to say? Could she have helped? That's a lot to carry… Grief can bring up so many mixed emotions.
Away from Mairead's storylines this year, what ones have you loved watching play out?
Absolutely LOVED the return of Lucy! I was hooked on that storyline 10 years ago, full of so much suspense and twists and turns. Also enjoying the addition of Teri (Erica's mam), played by Sue Collins. I hope we get to see more of their strained relationship in 2022.
If you had a wish list for what could happen to the other characters in Carrigstown, what would be on it?
Love and happiness for Carol.
Family reunions for Paul.
Business and love opportunities for Dean.
And what are your hopes for Damien and Mairead next year?
I hope we get to delve a bit more into their extended family life. Family drama is always my favourite; I think it's the most relatable for the viewer. Maybe we could meet some of Mairead's family members? A stronger relationship with her stepdaughter Saoirse perhaps? Or wouldn't starting a little family of their own be nice?
Have you some idea already of what's going to happen?
Never. Always a pleasant surprise.
Fair City airs on RTÉ One on Sundays and Tuesdays to Thursdays.
