7 Classic Fair City Characters You Didn't Know Were Still Going Strong

Love it or hate it, Ireland's only soap has been holding its own for nearly 30 years. Fair City has tackled everything over the last few decades including gangland crime, domestic abuse, familial murder and the opening of its first Credit Union. Last year, the RTE celebrated its 4000th episode. Here's a recap of the characters who have been going strong through the years.

1. Bela Doyle

Bela Doyle is Fair City. The former corner shop King has been in the show since its conception in 1989 and has dealt with all sorts, including a marriage breakdown, the death of a daughter, losing his beloved Rita and watching his former haunt transform into a Spar chain. While Bela had a wandering eye back in the day, he prefers the quiet life these days and occasionally crops up in McCoys for an aul pint.

2. Carol Foley

Life is never dull for Carrigstown's answer to Kat Slater. The original Dublin hun who smokes like a chimney and drinks vodka likes it's going out of fashion has been through enough to pen an autobiography. She endured abuse at the hands of her crime boss husband, dealt with her son being killed by a former lover who was also an undercover Garda and more recently, has turned to alcohol following the death of her terminally ill abusive father.

3. Charlie Kelly

Another character that stemmed from the first episode of the soap, poor Charlie has seen his fair share of heartbreak including the death of two wives and a son. He loves putting the world to rights with his mate Bela and his favourite hang out spot is the Community center.

4. Paul Brennan

If Fair City was set in Hollywood, Paul would be in therapy for sex addiction, he's had that many women over the years. The businessman has four baby mammas overall and this year, he's had to rebuild his empire after being conned by his wife who had enough after his latest affair. He and Niamh have broken up that times, we're not sure if they're together anymore. Anyone?

5. Niamh Brennan

After 22 years playing the feisty redhead, Clelia Murphy hit headlines last month when she announced she was bowing out of the role. Niamh has been through a turbulent time in Carrigstown - earlier storylines saw her have an affair with a teacher and going to England for an abortion. She hit Paul over the head with a whiskey bottle in the show's first ever two-hander episode.

6. Dolores Molloy

The Carrigstown crimper could give Carol a run for her money in the 'who's had a shitter life' stakes. She's lost two daughters, a husband to suicide and has a son who emptied her life-savings. She got really into going to mass at one point as well.