Niamh Cassidy
Niamh Cassidy is a fictional character in the soap opera Fair City, portrayed by Clelia Murphy.
Fictional character biography
When Niamh was still a student in secondary school, she was infatuated with her teacher Barry O'Hanlon and they had a passionate clinch. When Niamh lied that Barry seduced her, he nearly lost his job, but she eventually told the truth. Niamh later had an affair with Leo Dowling, but she decided to leave him when she became pregnant with Leo's child and had an abortion. She got back together with Barry and became engaged. Derek Devlin kidnapped her and Barry recesued her, but as the wedding day was approaching, Niamh started to have second thoughts and she realised that she was in love with Paul Brennan, who was Barry's best friend. The wedding was called off, but Niamh initially decided to stay in a relationship with Barry, but she then broke up with him in public and continued her affair with Paul.
When Barry found out that Niamh had been two-timing him with his best friend, he began a downward spiral and spent Christmas at home drinking and feeling depressed. Niamh and Paul was shocked to see a depressed Barry arrive at their house. Nicola, disgusted by this, wanted Niamh out of their computer business, Blue Dolphin. When the company merged with Industrial Illusions, their representative, Conor, wanted to downsize Blue Dolphin, getting rid of Niamh in the process. Niamh, knowning that Conor had bullied her, was horrified. Donal obsigned and Niamh's job was saved. After Blue Dolphin ended its merger with Industrial Illusions, Nicola decided to become freelance, while the others continued running Blue Dolphin.
When Niamh found out that Nicola had a one-night stand with Paul, their rivalry intensified. When Derek was released from prison in 2004, he began a relationship with Niamh, who was on the re-bound. She planned to leave Blue Dolphin and set up a company with him, but Derek became involved in criminal activity and met his death when he was killed by a criminal gang. She sold her shares in Blue Dolphin.
In 2005, Niamh found herself befriending Niamh when her old rival was diagnoised with breast cancer. She helped Nicola get through her ordeal of beating the cancer and dealing with the fact that her sister Philippa had an affair with her boyfriend Donal Maher. When Nicola was preparing to leave Carrigstown in 2006, she couldn't find the right moment to tell her best friend. When Niamh found out, she was infuriated, but she bid Nicola farewell. Niamh later found out that her cousin Orla Kirwan was having an affair with William Russell. Seamus McAleer, Orla's boyfriend, found out about the affair and threw her out. When Niamh purchased Nicola's house, the pair moved in together and began a business partnership.
In February 2007, Niamh had a brief relationship with Mr T, but she discovered that he was a bisexual when Keith McGrath told her. After breaking up with Sean, Niamh began developing feelings for Keith when she saw him with his girlfriend Una Lehane. When Keith kissed Niamh in June 2007, he grew tired of Una's questions and subsequently dumped her, explaining that he had found someone else.Niamh is very fat and weighs the most out of all the fair city cast
Family
- Cousin: Orla Kirwan