Billy Connolly's World Tour of England, Ireland and Wales
Encyclopedia
Billy Connolly's World Tour of England, Ireland and Wales is the third of Scottish
comedian Billy Connolly
's "world tours" commissioned by the BBC
. It was first aired in 2002, and was released on DVD in 2004, with three episodes on disc one and the remaining five on disc two.
Episode 2: Connolly visits the city of Belfast
in Northern Ireland
. While there, he visits a graveyard that has a wall built under the ground to keep the Protestants and Catholics apart in death.
Episode 3: While still in Ireland, Billy visits the town of Killarney
and surrounding areas.
Episode 4: Connolly's first episode to be set in England
starts in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne
. On his visit he gives an insight to how the Geordie
s got their nickname.
Episode 5: The fifth episode focuses on the nation's capital, London
. Connolly climbs to the top of the Big Ben clock tower, rides down the River Thames
, and performs at Shakespeare's Globe
.
Episode 6: Connolly visits the cities of Manchester
and Sheffield
.
Episode 7: The whole episode focuses on the country of Wales
, in which he visits Cardiff
, the Brecon Beacons
and Portmeirion
.
Episode 8: In the final episode of the series, Connolly visits Bournemouth
to which Billy Connolly, in an almost traditional way for his World Tour Series, strips down to nothing as he rides off on his bike during the ending credits.
, Cara Dillon
and Mary Hopkin
singing verses of McTell's song, "England" (suitably adapted for 'Ireland' and 'Cymru'). Hopkin can additionally be heard singing a verse of "Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn
" during Episode 7. The DVD also includes audio tracks of songs performed by Connolly and Dillon, and instrumental versions of three McTell compositions (including the series Theme Tune).
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
comedian Billy Connolly
Billy Connolly
William "Billy" Connolly, Jr., CBE is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. He is sometimes known, especially in his native Scotland, by the nickname The Big Yin...
's "world tours" commissioned by the BBC
BBC
The British Broadcasting Corporation is a British public service broadcaster. Its headquarters is at Broadcasting House in the City of Westminster, London. It is the largest broadcaster in the world, with about 23,000 staff...
. It was first aired in 2002, and was released on DVD in 2004, with three episodes on disc one and the remaining five on disc two.
Episode guide
Episode 1: In the first episode, Connolly visits the city of Dublin, IrelandRepublic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
Episode 2: Connolly visits the city of Belfast
Belfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. While there, he visits a graveyard that has a wall built under the ground to keep the Protestants and Catholics apart in death.
Episode 3: While still in Ireland, Billy visits the town of Killarney
Killarney
Killarney is a town in County Kerry, southwestern Ireland. The town is located north of the MacGillicuddy Reeks, on the northeastern shore of the Lough Lein/Leane which are part of Killarney National Park. The town and its surrounding region are home to St...
and surrounding areas.
Episode 4: Connolly's first episode to be set in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
starts in the city of Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
. On his visit he gives an insight to how the Geordie
Geordie
Geordie is a regional nickname for a person from the Tyneside region of the north east of England, or the name of the English-language dialect spoken by its inhabitants...
s got their nickname.
Episode 5: The fifth episode focuses on the nation's capital, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Connolly climbs to the top of the Big Ben clock tower, rides down the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
, and performs at Shakespeare's Globe
Shakespeare's Globe
Shakespeare's Globe is a reconstruction of the Globe Theatre, an Elizabethan playhouse in the London Borough of Southwark, located on the south bank of the River Thames, but destroyed by fire in 1613, rebuilt 1614 then demolished in 1644. The modern reconstruction is an academic best guess, based...
.
Episode 6: Connolly visits the cities of Manchester
Manchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
and Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
.
Episode 7: The whole episode focuses on the country of Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
, in which he visits Cardiff
Cardiff
Cardiff is the capital, largest city and most populous county of Wales and the 10th largest city in the United Kingdom. The city is Wales' chief commercial centre, the base for most national cultural and sporting institutions, the Welsh national media, and the seat of the National Assembly for...
, the Brecon Beacons
Brecon Beacons
The Brecon Beacons is a mountain range in South Wales. In a narrow sense, the name refers to the range of popular peaks south of Brecon, including South Wales' highest mountain, Pen y Fan, and which together form the central section of the Brecon Beacons National Park...
and Portmeirion
Portmeirion
Portmeirion is a popular tourist village in Gwynedd, North Wales. It was designed and built by Sir Clough Williams-Ellis between 1925 and 1975 in the style of an Italian village and is now owned by a charitable trust....
.
Episode 8: In the final episode of the series, Connolly visits Bournemouth
Bournemouth
Bournemouth is a large coastal resort town in the ceremonial county of Dorset, England. According to the 2001 Census the town has a population of 163,444, making it the largest settlement in Dorset. It is also the largest settlement between Southampton and Plymouth...
to which Billy Connolly, in an almost traditional way for his World Tour Series, strips down to nothing as he rides off on his bike during the ending credits.
Music
The closing credits of each episode feature Ralph McTellRalph McTell
Ralph McTell is an English singer-songwriter and acoustic guitar player who has been an influential figure on the UK folk music scene since the 1960s....
, Cara Dillon
Cara Dillon
Cara Dillon is an Irish folk singer. In 2001, she launched her career as a solo artist in the UK with the eponymous Cara Dillon album...
and Mary Hopkin
Mary Hopkin
Mary Hopkin , credited on some recordings as Mary Visconti, is a Welsh folk singer best known for her 1968 UK number one single "Those Were The Days". She was one of the first musicians to sign to The Beatles' Apple label....
singing verses of McTell's song, "England" (suitably adapted for 'Ireland' and 'Cymru'). Hopkin can additionally be heard singing a verse of "Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn
Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn
Bugeilio'r Gwenith Gwyn is an 18th century traditional Welsh love song.It describes the tragic love affair between Wil Hopcyn and Ann Thomas from the village of Llangynwyd in Glamorganshire. Ann belonged to a wealthy farming family but Wil was only a farm labourer...
" during Episode 7. The DVD also includes audio tracks of songs performed by Connolly and Dillon, and instrumental versions of three McTell compositions (including the series Theme Tune).