The highly-anticipated twice-weekly drama Red Rock debuted on TV3 last night and, on average, 323,200 viewers tuned in to watch.
The show was the 10th most-popular programme on Irish television for Wednesday - with just over 18 per cent of audience share.
In comparison, Fair City had an average audience of 569,000 people (36% of audience share) – making it the most-watched soap in Ireland last night.
While long-running British soap Emmerdale pulled in 325,000 viewers.
RTÉ's two main news bulletins were the most-watched programmes, followed by the broadcaster's lifestyle series hit show Operation Transformation.
TV3 director of content Jeff Ford has said he expects ratings for Red Rock to follow a “J” curve - with the initial interest tapering off for a period before it begins to build a strong, loyal audience.
So what's Red Rock all about and how did the critics receive its premiere last night?
Who is in it?
Former Love/Hate actress Denise McCormack, who played the part of Fran's tragic wife Linda will play one of the central characters.
She will be joined on screen by Cathy Belton, who took on the role of Sister Claire in Oscar-nominated feature film Philomena and Richard Flood who will take on the role of Superintendent James McKay.
The remaining cast is rounded off by Liam Carney, who stared as Sean in the hit movie Braveheart, Jane McGrath who played the minor character of Sissy in Game of Thrones and The Clinic star Andrea Irvine.
What is it about?
The show is set in a fictional harbour town in Co. Dublin and focuses on two rival families, the Hennessys and the Kielys.
The Hennessys, know as the “local dynasty”, own the majority of businesses in the seaside town, and the Kielys are a family of former trawler men who left the fishing trade behind for a life of crime.
Why make it?
TV3 have lost out with UTV Ireland which have taken over their big soaps like Coronation Street
There hasn't really been a Garda-based drama here in Ireland that would be like The Bill in England so there is a gap in the market.
They got the funding - Element are behind this series, like The Guard etc
Is it any good?
Well, it's not bad but it really hasn't got into its rhythm yet.
Most shows don't get it together until the second series and there is a lot of pressure here.
Huge marketing campaign behind the drama, most of the country was probably watching this last night the theme music has to go. Who thought a harmonica was a good idea for a garda drama??
The cast are alright but we really haven't got to know the characters yet - Denise McCormack is yet to make her appearance. Some of the performances are very wooden.
Overall verdict
It's definitely worth another watch but it's not as dark as expected, despite the fact that it opens with a man bloodied and beaten the pier.
It's worth noting that Love/Hate was a lucky break for Irish crime drama... but even the cops in that were useless.
