A Unique Blend of Fiction and Reality
In a fascinating twist where life seems to mirror art, a woman recently attempted to do her grocery shopping at an unusual location – the Lidl supermarket set on the fictional town of Carrigstown, featured in the popular Irish TV show Fair City. The incident occurred outside RTÉ Studios, drawing attention from both the public and media.
David Murphy, RTÉ’s Economics & Public Affairs Editor, shared the moment on social media, highlighting the confusion that arose when a woman approached the set believing it to be a real store. He tweeted:
‘Met a lady outside RTÉ trying to get in to do her shopping in the Lidl on the Fair City set this evening. It’s listed on Google Maps. I gave her directions to Tesco.’
This mix-up stems from a highly realistic-looking Lidl store that has been constructed as part of the fictional town of Carrigstown, located on RTÉ’s Donnybrook campus. Although the store is not open to the public, its presence online, including on Google Maps, has led some individuals to believe it is a functioning supermarket.
A Major Product Placement Deal
The Lidl store was the result of a significant three-year product placement deal between the supermarket chain and RTÉ. This agreement marks the largest broadcast product placement deal in Irish television history, according to Gavin Deans, RTÉ Commercial Director. The collaboration involved the construction of the faux supermarket, which began in March.
The project includes realistic features such as a Deposit Return Machine, an in-store bakery, and even a modern staff welfare area. Additionally, a fictional store manager named Renee will be introduced as part of upcoming plotlines in Fair City.
Integration into Daily Lives
Characters in Fair City will interact with the Lidl store as part of their daily lives in Carrigstown. This integration not only enhances the realism of the show but also blurs the line between fiction and reality for viewers. Evidently, some people are already mistaking the set for a real place to shop, leading to the recent incident involving the woman attempting to do her grocery shopping.
The Popularity of Fair City
Since its debut in 1989, Fair City has remained a staple of Irish television. The show attracts over 600,000 weekly viewers on RTÉ One, with an additional 100,000 watching via RTÉ Player each week. Its continued success highlights the deep connection the audience has with the fictional town of Carrigstown and its residents.
This unique collaboration between RTÉ and Lidl showcases the evolving nature of television production and the increasing use of product placements to enhance storytelling. As the show continues to captivate audiences, it remains to be seen how this new element will influence future episodes and viewer perceptions.
