Billy Connolly's World Tour of Ireland, Wales and England

- Season 1

(2002)

Billy starts by taking in Dublin from a boat on the River Liffey. Meeting up with pals at the Cobblestone pub allows him do his first musical session in a while. A stop off at Kilmainham Gaol leads to the story of what happened to those who led the 1916 Easter Rising. A trip to a church in Drogheda sees him come face-to-face with a man who died in 1681. A trip to an oyster farm at Carlingford Lough allows him to taste some local produce.

Billy's first stop in Northern Ireland is to see a fairy tree in Hilltown. A visit to a cemetery in Belfast reveals why a sunken wall was constructed. Climbing a giant crane reveals the true size of the Harland and Wolff shipyard. A drive up the Shankill Road sees him show admiration for the artistry of the murals. Crossing a rope bridge at Carrick-a-Rede leads to a chat with a local fisherman.

Billy heads to Killarney for the final leg of his tour of Ireland. A visit to Blarney Castle sees him explain why he has no desire to kiss the stone. A trip to the beehive huts and oratory on the Dingle Peninsula are met with more enthusiasm. A helicopter ride to connect with his past takes him past Banna Strand and the Arran Islands. A hunt for his great-great-grandfather's grave leaves him a little disappointed. A return to Killarney takes him to the shores of the rather beautiful Lough Leane.

Billy stops off at Hadrian's Wall while on his way to Newcastle. Dropping into Northumbria University allows him to take a look at the students' exhibits. A closer inspection of the Tyne Bridge sees him send a signal to an unfortunate CCTV operator. A trip to a museum at Ashington Colliery opens his eyes to the artistic talents of those who worked down the mines. A short detour finally gets him up close and personal with the Angel of the North.

Billy points out some of the sights as he travels down the Thames to the Globe Theatre. Exploring the now disused Down Street tube station reveals where Winston Churchill bunkered down during WW2. Climbing the stairs to see Big Ben allows him to play the part of a ghostly figure. A wander around some of London's finest parks takes him to the Elfin Oak and a pet cemetery.

Billy talks about a few of the sights as he arrives in Manchester. A trip to Pendle Hill takes him to Alice Nutter's grave. A ride along the Snake Pass takes him to Derwent Reservoir, where he talks about the Dambusters. A story about Saltaire turns into a look at some of David Hockney's work. A gentle float along the Sheffield and Tinsley Canal provides him with time to play the banjo.

Billy heads across the Severn Bridge into Wales. After a look around Cardiff, he takes a short boat trip across the Bristol Channel to Flat Holm Island. A look around a rural arts space in the Coed Hills appeals to his love of all things strange. Finding gold in the Brecon Beacons turns out to be nothing but a trick. Journeying even further sees him wandering around the eccentric buildings of Portmeirion.

Billy chats with a homeless man at the grave of Percy Bysshe Shelley in Bournemouth. A journey west sees him tell the story of the Tolpuddle Martyrs. Sitting for a portrait in a Plymouth studio sees him open up about himself to the artist, Robert Lenkiewicz.