Pure Mule

Pure Mule was written as a six-part series aimed at a young audience by the playwright Eugene O'Brien and produced by Accomplice Television, the television arm of Element Films.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4280179&tpl=archnews&force=1|title=Lee Magiday is New Head of Production at Element|date=28 November 2006|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=Irish Film and Television Network}} It was promoted as being part of the new "edgier" and "riskier" RTÉ Two schedule, which also featured a gay-themed night following its relaunch from Network 2 in 2004.{{cite news|url=http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/ireland/article486871.ece|title=Network 2 goes gay for ratings|date=26 September 2004|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=The Sunday Times | location=London | first=Jan | last=Battles}}{{dead link|date=September 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} The original Pure Mule featured a cast which included Tom Murphy, Garret Lombard, Luke Griffen, Gary Lydon, Eileen Walsh, Simone Kirby, Joanne Crawford, Dawn Bradfield and Charlene McKenna. It was shot on high-definition camera.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&aid=73&rid=3707&sr=1&only=1&hl=accomplice&tpl=archnews|title=Production Depot Becomes Agent For Arri Media UK|date=7 February 2005|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=Irish Film and Television Network}} The setting is a nameless market town in county Offaly in the Irish midlands.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0725/puremule.html|title=RTÉ One begins Pure Mule repeats|date=25 July 2009|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=RTÉ}} The drama was part of a boost in spending of 25% on independent Irish television productions in 2004.{{cite news|url=http://www.examiner.ie/breakingnews/ireland/cwmhgbkfsncw/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216233506/http://www.examiner.ie/breakingnews/ireland/cwmhgbkfsncw/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 February 2012|title=Spending on TV productions up 25% in year|date=21 December 2005|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=Irish Examiner}}

Each episode follows the journey of one character over a weekend from Friday until Monday. Themes covered included binge drunkenness and casual sexual intercourse. The first episode featured Shamie (played by Tom Murphy), and follows his birthday boozing and his struggle to win the affections of a Dublin girl against his younger brother, Scobie (played by Garrett Lombard). Frustrated and embarrassed by his loss, he instead engages in an attempt to win another girl instead.

Another episode featured a famous threesome involving Geraldine (played by Simone Kirby).{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/the-taming-of-the-mules-simone-kirby-128070.html|title=The taming of the Mule's Simone Kirby|date=19 March 2006|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=Irish Independent}}

Other actors who had roles in Pure Mule included Brian Doherty, Pádraic Delaney, Ian McElhinney, Anthony Brophy, and Seán McGinley.{{cite news|url=http://www.eveningecho.ie/news/index.aspx?jp=cwqlojausnau |title=Comedian Pat Shortt enjoys small town life in film role |date=3 September 2006 |accessdate=30 July 2009 |newspaper=Evening Echo |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720012325/http://www.eveningecho.ie/news/index.aspx?jp=cwqlojausnau |archivedate=20 July 2011 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.eveningecho.ie/news/index.aspx?jp=cwojidmhcwcw |title=Strong showing in Cannes for Irish films |date=11 May 2006 |accessdate=30 July 2009 |newspaper=Evening Echo |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720012239/http://www.eveningecho.ie/news/index.aspx?jp=cwojidmhcwcw |archivedate=20 July 2011 }}{{cite news|url=http://www.examiner.ie/breakingnews/ireland/cwojidgbqlmh/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216233517/http://www.examiner.ie/breakingnews/ireland/cwojidgbqlmh/|url-status=dead|archive-date=16 February 2012|title=Irish stars head for Cannes|date=14 May 2006|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=Irish Examiner}}{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/news-gossip/the-man-who-knows-who-he-is-135397.html|title=The man who knows who he is|date=8 October 2006|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=Irish Independent}}

{{Quote box | width=30% | align=right | quote="It is really weird being recognised in the street. I thought that maybe at home in Monaghan people would recognise me but it’s the same down here in Galway or Dublin or wherever, really weird". |source= Charlene McKenna on her elevation to stardom as a result of her role in Pure Mule. }}

Pure Mule received a favourable reaction from the critics, with some praising it for being the first RTÉ drama of the decade to portray issues such as Alzheimer's disease{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/opinion/analysis/down-with-the-house-of-frasier-125298.html|title=Down with the house of Frasier|date=8 January 2006|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=Irish Independent}} though locals said it portrayed midlanders in a bad light. Tom Parlon, a TD, spoke of the upset Pure Mule's themes of ecstasy and other issues caused to "a lot of people" in his constituency of Laois–Offaly, saying:

It does make for uncomfortable viewing especially for someone like me whose has lived all their life in rural Ireland. But let's not be naive here. I believe the programme has also performed a valuable service by highlighting in stark and uncomfortable terms the challenges facing rural Ireland today in particular increased drug use amongst our young population. [...] Pure Mule has shown to all who watch it that young people in every corner of this country are experimenting with and using drugs on a large scale. Teenage sex and sexual promiscuity are other uncomfortable issues that are dealt with. It is fiction but it has also struck a raw nerve because it is telling an unpalatable truth. As a rural TD and as a parent, I believe what we are facing is a ticking time bomb in rural Ireland, where our young people feel increasingly dislocated from their community, where a lack of recreational and social outlets is fuelling the increase in drink and drug use. The last 20 years has brought unprecedented economic growth and social change across Ireland. What we must now do is face up to the social challenges.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/business/irish/cocaine-use-a-time-bomb-says-minister-472651.html|title=Cocaine use 'a time bomb' says Minister|date=25 September 2005|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=Irish Independent}}

Pure Mule was seen as a nod to Bracken and Deadwood, with The Sunday Times praising it for its "impressively lyrical yet largely authentic dialogue" but remaining sceptical of O'Brien's "lapses into ludicrously Oirish speechifying, replete with more hooting "ouls" than a forest park".{{Cite news |date=11 September 2005 |title=Television: Liam Fay: The Midland Tribune |work=The Sunday Times |location=London |url=https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/television-liam-fay-the-midland-tribune-jt2drh0xmsh |url-access=subscription |access-date=30 July 2009}}

Garrett Lombard used to be greeted by cheers each time he passed a building site due to his character, Scobie, being portrayed as an authentic hero by many. Lombard described him as "a typical Irish male, who liked his drinking and carousing and having a good time".{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/unsorted/features/from-bombs-to-smash-hits-yer-man-off-the-telly-is-pure-mule-127351.html|title=From bombs to smash hits, yer man off the telly is pure mule|date=5 March 2006|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=Irish Independent}}

The original Pure Mule won five Irish Film and Television Awards (IFTAs) from seven nominations on 6 November 2005.{{Cite web|url=http://www.irishnews.com/searchlog.asp?reason=denied_empty&script_name=/pageacc.asp&path_info=/pageacc.asp&tser1=ser&par=ben&sid=507080|title=Glamour galore at Irish film awards|date=7 November 2005|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=The Irish News (subscription required)|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303192431/http://www.irishnews.com/searchlog.asp?reason=denied_empty&script_name=%2Fpageacc.asp&path_info=%2Fpageacc.asp&tser1=ser&par=ben&sid=507080|archivedate=3 March 2016}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.showbizireland.com/news/november05/09-IFTA05.shtml|title=IFTA 2005 Glamour Shines...|date=9 November 2005|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=ShowBiz Ireland}}{{cite news|url=http://www.emigrant.ie/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39486&Itemid=19|title=Irish Film and Television Award winners announced|date=13 November 2005|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=The Irish Emigrant}}

Tom Murphy won in the category of Best Television Actor, whilst Dawn Bradfield won in the category of Best Television Actress. Eileen Walsh won in the category of Best Supporting Actress on Television. Declan Recks won in the category of Best Director Television. The other award win for the show on the night was in the category of Best Sound for Television or Film.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2005/1107/ifta.html|title=Pure Mule is big winner at the IFTAs|date=7 November 2005|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=RTÉ}}

The other two nominations were Garrett Lombard in the category of Best Supporting Actor on Television and director Charlie McCarthy in the same category as Recks.

The award ceremony was broadcast on RTÉ One.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2005/0929/iftas.html|title=Pure Mule dominates IFTA shortlist|date=29 September 2005|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=RTÉ}}

{{awards table}}

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| 2006 || Tom Murphy || Best Television Actor || {{won}}

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| 2006 || Dawn Bradfield || Best Television Actress || {{won}}

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| 2006 || Eileen Walsh || Best Supporting Actress on Television || {{won}}

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| 2006 || Declan Recks || Best Director Television || {{won}}

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| 2006 || Philippe Faujas || Best Sound for Television or Film || {{won}}

|-

| 2006 || Garrett Lombard || Best Supporting Actor on Television || {{nom}}

|-

| 2006 || Charlie McCarthy || Best Director Television || {{nom}}

|-

{{end}}

Pure Mule: The Last Weekend was shot in Birr, County Offaly and the surrounding areas such as Banagher and Shannonbridge. It is again directed by Declan Recks and is again produced by Accomplice Television. The show is written by Eugene O'Brien. The series, which wrapped before the end of July 2009, was shot using the RED high end digital camera format.{{Cite web|url=http://www.iftn.ie/?act1=record&only=1&aid=73&rid=4282386&tpl=archnewshome&force=1|title=Production Depot Delivers Goods to the Irish Film & TV Industry|date=30 July 2009|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=Irish Film and Television Network}}

The plot involves the imminent departure of Scobie (played by Lombard) to Australia. Jennifer (played by McKenna) returns to attend the funeral of a family member. An economic recession has arrived, reflecting the reality of life in Ireland in 2009.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0702/puremule.html|title=Pure Mule coming back to RTÉ|date=2 July 2009|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=RTÉ}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/0813/rte.html|title=RTÉ Television unveils new season|date=13 August 2009|accessdate=13 August 2009|publisher=RTÉ}}

Tom Murphy, the IFTA award-winning actor of the original series, died in 2007.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2007/1008/murphyt.html|title=Pure Mule star Tom Murphy dies|date=8 October 2007|accessdate=30 July 2009|publisher=RTÉ}} Well-recognised chimney stacks on the banks of the River Shannon in Shannonbridge which featured in the original series were demolished in July 2009.{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/national-news/historic-esb-chimneys-bow-out-with-a-bang-1840271.html|title=Historic ESB chimneys bow out with a bang|date=25 July 2009|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=Irish Independent}} The towers "featured prominently in the background" of the show.{{cite news|url=http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2009/0725/1224251305689.html|title=Shannonbridge chimneys go out with a bang|date=25 July 2009|accessdate=30 July 2009|newspaper=The Irish Times|quote=FAMILIAR LANDMARKS on the banks of the Shannon disappeared in a pile of rubble yesterday when the ESB demolished the two chimney stacks at their old power plant in Shannonbridge, Co Offaly. So great is the gap on the skyline that one onlooker, former ESB worker Derry Killeen, wondered whether people on hired cruisers on the river might lose their bearings, as the stacks had been visible for many miles. He suggested that a flag might have to be put up instead for confused navigators. [...] The towers had featured prominently in the background in the midlands-based Pure Mule television series.}}

The box set Pure Mule: The Complete Series was released on DVD by Element Pictures Distribution on 13 November 2009.{{Cite web|url=http://www.rte.ie/arts/2009/1030/puremule.html|title=Pure Mule is out on DVD next month|date=30 October 2009|accessdate=30 October 2009|publisher=RTÉ}}

{{reflist}}

• {{IMDb title|0477939|Pure Mule}}
• [http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=299128&highlight=pure+mule 1] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20070928141555/http://www.ivenus.com/ubb/Forum24/HTML/000499.html 2]

{{RTÉ Dramas and Soap Operas}}

Category:2005 Irish television series debuts

Category:2009 Irish television series endings

Category:Irish drama television series

Category:RTÉ original programming