There weren’t many bigger TV stars in the ’80s than Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl, and the couple were spotted this week exploring the west of Ireland.
They were headed out to picturesque Inis Mór, one of the three main islands in the Aran Islands group, located in Galway Bay. The islands have a population of just over 1,000 people, most of whom speak Irish.
The crew of the ferry snapped a photo with the caption: “Welcome to Inis Mór Patrick Duffy and Linda Purl!”
Duffy, who played Bobby Ewing on Dallas, and Purl, who captivated audiences as Fonzie’s girlfriend on Happy Days, smiled under the gray Irish skies, clearly delighted by both the scenery and the local charm.
Romance blossomed in the covid pandemic
Their romance, sparked during the isolation of the covid‑19 pandemic in 2020, has grown into a steadfast partnership. Duffy experienced heartbreak when his longtime wife, dancer Carlyn Rosser, passed away in 2017. He later said that it was during lockdown that he reconnected with Purl via an old group chat. The bond deepened over Zoom video calls, during which Duffy would read poems to Purl. One night, he professed his love to the actress, explaining: “As we were signing off, I said, ‘Sleep tight, I love you.’ I pushed the off button and went, ‘Oh my God. I said the L-word!’”
Beyond a celebrity sighting, their journey across the Irish Sea has personal resonance for Duffy, whose grandfather emigrated from Ireland in the 1920s. In the summer of 2022, the pair traveled to County Mayo to trace his family roots.
Then, in 2023, Duffy proudly served as grand marshal of Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, sharing an emotional moment in tribute to his heritage: “Nothing gives me more pride than being asked… I feel like I am returning home,” he said.
Traditional pubs
The Galway leg of their Irish adventure included a stop in Cork, where local sources confirmed the couple were filming a documentary on traditional pubs. They dropped into the Hi‑B Bar, a quaint, legendary spot, and spoke with owner Rachel O’Donnell about preserving pub culture, sampling the famed Ballygowan soft drink while they worked, of course.
Fans in the U.S. might remember Duffy’s breakout role in Man from Atlantis before he conquered prime time on Dallas. Purl’s career has also spanned stage and screen, with roles in The Office, House, and numerous other appearances beyond her iconic ’80s roles.
Now, the couple are collaborating off-screen as well, having launched Duffy’s Dough, a sourdough starter business built around a wild Alaskan yeast culture passed down through Duffy’s family.
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