Mayo writer of hit RTÉ series gleaned much inspiration from home town

by Caoimhín Rowland

Hit RTÉ television series Obituary has been making waves with its intriguing storyline and engaging characters.

Behind the success of this series is writer Ray Lawlor, who hails from Pontoon Road in Castlebar.

In an interview with the Irish Film and Television Network, Ray opened up about his inspiration and the crucial role that his father, a retired garda, and his hometown played in shaping the show.

Lawlor admitted Castlebar has been a wellspring of inspiration for his creative endeavours.

The fictional town of Kilraven in Obituary draws heavily from Castlebar's unique charm and humour.

“Almost everything I write is set in a small Irish town, so, naturally, my hometown provides great inspiration. The characters I meet every day are unique and hilarious, and like our fictional Kilraven, there is always something slightly odd going on in Castlebar,” Lawlor remarked.

The characters and the odd occurrences in Kilraven are, in many ways, a reflection of the real-life characters and the quirkiness Ray found ‘eavesdropping’ on conversations and then ‘noting’ in his phone.

Ray's father's Ronnie, a retired garda detective, has also been an invaluable resource in developing Obituary.

He provided insights into the world of law enforcement and ensured that the actions of the characters in the show were as authentic as possible.

Ray stated that his father watched the first episode of Obituary and confirmed that the portrayal of Garda Rose was ‘on the money’.

By tapping into his father's knowledge, Ray was able to infuse Obituary with a sense of realism that resonates with the audience through his upbringing in Castlebar, two notches of Ray's reality that helped form the unique dark comedy TV show that has garnered praise from fans and critics alike.

The series will be streamed exclusively in the US on Hulu later this year, similar to Normal People, which exploded in popularity during lockdown.

Lawlor's success will only further cement Castlebar as a focal point of inspiration for modern storytellers.