SPORTING entertainment from Ireland is the lifeblood of many Irish boozers in Britain.
Every week, thousands of emigrants flock to their Irish local to watch Championship GAA, club rugby as Gaeilge on TG4 and the musings of pundits like Eamonn Dunphy, Joe Brolly and George Hook.
But who would have thought they’d be gathering to watch Nidge, Fran, Tommy and the cast of the hit RTÉ drama Love/Hate.
The new series airs in Ireland on Sunday (October 6) at 9.30pm on RTÉ 1 and it is anticipated that Irish fans will be requesting a programme-change on Sunday evenings in their local.
Colm Lynch from the Hop Pole in Wandsworth — which is currently under refurbishment — explained that work will not be finished by the time episode one of series four airs, but he will be showing episode two and the remaining episodes on the run into Christmas.
The Man of Aran in Rayners Lane, London is also planning to show the series, with other Irish pubs in Britain expected to follow suit.
Season four begins with Nidge and his henchmen trying to survive in the endless recession, but unknown to the gang, his activities have caught the attention of a squad of secret operatives within the gardaí.
In July, almost three quarters of a million viewers tuned in to watch the hit crime drama’s English TV début.
Season one of the show aired on Channel 5, attracting 738,000 viewers.
Season two, which was broadcast in Ireland in 2011, will also air on Channel 5 with the broadcaster tentatively looking at a January broadcast date.
