Scandalous Romance of ‘The Riordans’ Stars Unravelled
A deep dive into the off-screen romance of The Riordans stars, John Cowley and Ann Mulhall, who initiated their passionate affair as a form of revenge against their unfaithful spouses. Their relationship led to marriage and a son, which continued amidst their acting careers until their separate passes.
In a tale that sounds like a soap opera in itself, two stars from the Irish classic The Riordans found their off-screen drama just as riveting. The show, which first graced our screens in 1965, was a precursor to Emmerdale and revolved around the lives of Tom and Mary Riordan, played by John Cowley and Moira Deady, respectively. But behind those farming layers was a tangled web of scandals that even the hardiest tractor couldn’t plow through.
The Riordans featured the Riordan children, including Benjy, played by Tom Hickey, and Micheal, portrayed by Chris O’Neill. It explored the usual ups and downs of rural life—until the affair scandal whipped through like a storm. Cowley and his co-star Ann Mulhall started their passionate tryst in a rather peculiar way—mutual revenge on their cheating spouses. Who knew farming could come with such juicy plot twists?
All was not well in the world of matchmaking, as the scandal apparently ignited during the messy marriage of playwright Louis D’Alton and actress Ann Mulhall. They say revenge is a dish best served cold, and in this case, it came with a side of theatre because Ann somewhat dramatically embarked on an affair with Cowley, sending a robust message to her philandering husband.
With Louis tangled in another affair with fellow actress Eithne Dunn, the Riordan family saga took off. Ann moved on to a new life with Cowley, marrying him in 1953 and causing quite a stir in the process. They had one son, Ultan Cowley, and kept their own life together under the radar until Ann’s unfortunate passing in 1983.
The soap wrapped its curtains in 1979, but Cowley wasn’t done yet. He stayed busy on stage and had a decent run in films, mixing with big names like Jim Sheridan in The Field and The Boxer in ’97. It’s a bittersweet ending, as he rehearsed for a play by Brian Friel when he passed away in 1998, proving he really left it all on the stage — and in the fields, I suppose.
So, while The Riordans might be a memory in the rearview mirror of TV history, it certainly came with a side of scandalous good fun! Who wouldn’t want to tune into that drama?
The Riordans served up plenty of on-screen farming drama but were overshadowed by real-life romance and scandal. A tale of two actors, John Cowley and Ann Mulhall, who turned their on-set chemistry into a scandalous affair that turned their lives upside down. It all wrapped up with marriages, tragedies, and a good dose of theatrical success, ensuring their legacy lived on long after the show ended. Emmerdale has nothing on this!
Original Source: www.express.co.uk
