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Periscope by Niall O'Dowd

'Boardwalk Empire' aces its St.Patrick's Day episode - HBO hit gets its Irish up

Posted on Sunday, October 17, 2010 at 10:57 PM

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"Boardwalk Empire" the HBO show about Atlantic City and prohibition in the 1920s surpassed itself on the Sunday night episode which had a complete Irish theme.

"Only for Nights in Ballygran" is a title taken from the ballad 'Carrickfergus" which was sung quite beautifully throughout the episode.

As to how HBO created the Irish banquet scene,go here.

http://www.hbo.com/#/boardwalk-empire/episodes/01/05-nights-in-ballygran/video/ep-5-dantes-hall-celtic-dinner-laurels.html/eNrjcmbOYM5nLtQsy0xJzXfMS8ypLMlMds7PK0mtKFHPz0mBCQUkpqf6JeamcjIyskknlpbkF+QkVtqWFJWmsjGyMQIAWCcXOA==

The episode was set in Atlantic City on the eve of Saint Patrick's Day 1920 as the forces for and against prohibition arrayed against each other.

As a snapshot in time of Saint Patrick's Day 1920, the first year prohibition was introduced, it was a fascinating look back.

The authenticity of this series lies in its almost perfect recall of a time and a place long gone, a place imagined but never seen, yet somehow a place and a time brought unerringly back to life with incredible attention to detail.

Such is/was St.Patrick's Day 1920 with prohibition in effect and city fathers trying desperately to get the booze distributed for the countless St.Patrick's Day parties that were held along the boardwalk and elsewhere.

On this eve of Saint Patrick's Day in 1920 city treasurer Enoch "Nucky" Johnston, based on a real character, is the lord of all he surveyed in Atlantic city.

In the episode he was was throwing his annual Irish party, arranged by the Ancient Order of Celts-- read Ancient Order of Hibernians. With an election coming up Nucky needed the Irish clout to deliver

The party scene with Irish leaders arrayed at a banquet table, listening to a tenor sing 'Carrickfergus" and later given gifts by dwarves dressed as 'leprechauns' was a classic.

Earlier in the episode Nuckey's haggling with the chief dwarf over what to pay the 'leprechauns' was a wonderful scene.

A speech by Nucky's brother ELi, involving the irish Rising and the need for American support for Irish independence almost sparked a riot as the Irish-born and irishAmericans argued over who was doing the most for Irish independence.

Somethings never change.

Later the prohibition cops bust up the party and Nucky falls hard for a Kerry woman Margaret Schroder, her married name, played by Scottish actress Kelly MacDonald.

The last scene shows them kissing. Does Nucky know it is the Kerry woman who betrayed his secret booze factory and her fellow Irishman Alderman Neary who has been arrested for the booze factory ?

I guess we'll find out next week.

We'll all be tuning in next week to a show that is gradually coming to rival "The Sopranos"

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16 comments

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irishimport | Oct 23, 2010, 12:45 PM EDT

Fair play to HBO great show!

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Fionnuisce | Oct 22, 2010, 12:21 PM EDT

FANTASTIC series.

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manhattan | Oct 20, 2010, 01:52 PM EDT

Believe me tippboy this show is the first one without phony brogues which drive irish americans crazy. Kelly MacDonald may be scotch but to me her brogue is perfect. When she says "garage" it is perfect. Also, instead of "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling," We got a beautiful authentic irish song called carrickfergus sung with a great irish tenor voice. Watched it twice.

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tippboy | Oct 20, 2010, 10:46 AM EDT

Imadub is correct, his name in the show is Nucky Thompson,though the real historical character was Nucky Johnson. As far as pronunciations are concerned, I've heard many Irish place and family names butchered by Irish Americans, so maybe the producers were just trying to reflect that.

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Imadub1962 | Oct 20, 2010, 02:49 AM EDT

Eh, in the show his name is Nucky THOMPSON!! And why don't producers of these shows do a little research to find out the correct pronunciation e.g. Eamonn Ceannt and Carrantuohil. But,was a good episode and having lived in Atlantic City for 9 years when I first came to the states I quite enjoy the show. Slainte!

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McClusky | Oct 19, 2010, 06:44 PM EDT

A great show. Perfect costumes, sets, hair, teeth, etc., etc. LOVE IT.

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irishimport | Oct 18, 2010, 10:13 PM EDT

Very good show and well written

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BarbRN217 | Oct 18, 2010, 09:45 PM EDT

This show is FABULOUS!!!

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McNabb1966 | Oct 18, 2010, 07:40 PM EDT

It is a great show and the depiction of the Irish American world of 1920 was thoughtfully and well done. Two thumbs up.

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S.Connolly | Oct 18, 2010, 05:52 PM EDT

This is the best show I have seen since "The Shield"and "Oz". It is real, you can smell the sea and hear the waves! THe cast is excellent and I hope it goes on and on and on!!! And yes the soda bread was delicious! yuk-yuk

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Irisheteach | Oct 18, 2010, 05:27 PM EDT

Certainly do have to love the Irish. Great episode last night. Really enjoying the series.

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phoenixnurse | Oct 18, 2010, 10:56 AM EDT

Love the Show, the Cast and everything about it! Good entertainment...another big hit for HBO!

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Ms.Gail | Oct 18, 2010, 09:59 AM EDT

I love manhattan's comment <3

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Ms.Gail | Oct 18, 2010, 09:58 AM EDT

Since there is no cable in our area, I guess I'll never know!