THE English Market welcomed hundreds of fans of The Young Offenders TV series as Ireland’s oldest indoor food market hosted the season finale premiere on Saturday night.

Stars of the series, Alex Murphy, Hilary Rose, Linda Walsh, Dominic MacHale, Jennifer Barry and Demi Isaac Oviawe joined more of the cast and crew, the Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Tony Fitzgerald and fans of all ages to toast the huge success of the series before viewing the final episode - five days before it will air on Irish television.

Speaking on the night, star of the show Alex Murphy who plays Conor in the show, said he was delighted to be in Cork for the premiere of the final episode.

“It’s great to be back here, it’s getting a great response.

“We can’t get over the success of the show, to get commissioned for the second series as well is brilliant and we’re all delighted,” added the Douglas native.

“The people of Cork seem to be very proud of it which is great.”

The highly anticipated event went off without a hitch at The English Market, a location that features prominently in the TV show, and was transformed into an open theatre for the night with two large screens to show the final episode.

There were also four pop-up bars, four fresh popcorn machines and lots of fresh food provided by the English Market traders who opened especially for the occasion.

At the event Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Tony Fitzgerald spoke of the role Cork played in both the Young Offenders movie and TV series.

“I would like to thank the show’s creators for this entertaining series and pay tribute to all the actors for taking part,” he said.

“Cork City and county is an ideal place to showcase talent both on a national and international level which is fantastic,” he added.

Tickets for Saturday’s event sold out in minutes with all proceeds going to the Cork-based national charity Straight Ahead, which carries out “just in time” operations on children with orthopaedic needs that are not being met by the HSE.

“The English Market is a unique venue like no other, we welcome visitors from all walks of life from the queen of England to The Young Offenders and so it was the perfect fit for the series,” said Pat O’Connell, an English market trader who features in cameos in the show.

“We have great banter in here on a daily basis and we’re delighted to welcome and work with such fantastic actors and crew members.

“Hilary, who spent the majority of her time behind the fish counter was my employee of the month on many occasions and was so good at her job was often mistaken for a real life fishmonger while she was here,” he laughed.

“All jokes aside we had a super time and were only delighted to accommodate and work with a fantastic cast and crew and an unbelievable series that deserves all the success that comes its way.”

Creator of The Young Offenders, Peter Foott thanked the English Market for allowing them to take over and film some of their best scenes.

“We spent so long filming in the English Market it has been such an integral part of the show, so it seems perfect to have the premiere of the last episode of series one screening here,” he said.

“The team in the market have been so accommodating and have even starred in some of the episodes, so we’re delighted to show the final episode here.”