Is there any Home and Away character more iconic than Irene?
Played by Lynne McGranger, Irene has been a staple star on the TV WEEK Logie Award winning show since 1993.
Over the years, we’ve seen the lovable larrikin transform from a chain-smoking, pixie cut-rocking blonde into a loving and fiery woman whose door is always open to those in need.
From bad romances and family tragedies, we’re looking back at 28 years of Irene’s most dramatic moments.
Fighting with Pippa (1992):
Irene, then played by Jacqui Phillips, claimed her kids Damian (Matt Doran) and Finlay (Tina Thomsen) had assaulted her, to blackmail them into going away with her. Pippa (Debra Lawrance) turned fierce to defend her two foster children, and Irene had a huge slanging match with her.
Coming back (1993):
Lynne McGranger’s first appearance as Irene saw her come back to town, worried about Finlay following a diving accident. She had sobered up but still smoked like a chimney. She was grateful to anyone, including Pippa, who showed her kindness. “Not used to people comin’ on all decent-like!”
Giving birth (1997):
Irene was a surrogate mum for her daughter Finlay. She was relaxed about the having contractions till her car got stuck in traffic on the way to the hospital. Fortunately, she made it to the hospital in time, and gave birth to a boy, Paul. Unfortunately, Paul was kidnapped not long after birth.
Being stalked (2000):
Irene’s relationship with Ken (Anthony Phelan) seemed to be going well, until Ken’s ex-wife Eve (Robyn Gibbes) got out of a psychiatric hospital. She poisoned Irene, then later, in a creepy scene, confronted Irene in her house, wielding a cricket bat. Fortunately, Eve’s son Nick (Chris Egan) came to Irene’s aid, insisting, “Irene’s a good person, Mum.”
Seeing the future (2000):
Irene had a nightmare where her fiance Ken was calling her. She ran through the bush, right to the edge of a precipice, then looked down in horror. It was a premonition that Ken would die – and he did, sadly. A car fell on him just before he and Irene were due to be married.
Losing her mind (2005):
Irene was more than a little bit freaked out to come home and find Chloe (Kristy Wright) there, seeing as Chloe had been dead for some time. Later, while in hospital, Irene was diagnosed with psychosis. But the truth was that Corey (Adam Saunders), the police officer sharing her house, was poisoning her.
Dating a killer (2006):
It was a romance that ended in heartbreak for Irene. After dating Barry (Ivar Kants), she discovered he was a double murderer. He turned up to her house to tell her he loved her. “How dare you come into my home, pretending you care!” she raged. Then she collapsed into his chest in sobs.
Shooting a cop (2009):
Irene’s boat trip with boyfriend Lou (David Roberts) went horribly wrong. Lou went missing, Irene was terrified and started drinking, and ended up accidentally shooting a cop. Angelo (Luke Jacobz) decided to charge Irene over the shooting, and she became a suspect in Lou’s disappearance. Of course, she was innocent.
Diner fire (2010)
Irene was left devastated after the diner was targeted during the race riots. Her business partner Leah (Ada Nicodemou) struggled in the aftermath, withdrawing herself from society and suffering from agoraphobia.
Breast cancer (2011)
After Irene discovered a lump in her breast, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. “This is the hardest thing she’s faced,” Lynne told TV WEEK at the time.
Bombing victim (2013):
A cliffhanger ending to 2013 saw Irene’s life at stake. With Bianca (Lisa Gormley) and Heath (Dan Ewing) having rushed Ricky (Bonnie Sveen) to hospital, Irene kindly brought in coffee and food for them. Irene was just leaving when the bomb in Bianca’s laptop bag, planted by Jade (Tasma Walton), exploded. Irene was thrown against a wall, but survived.
Dating disaster (2015):
Poor Irene hasn’t had a good run with men. She recently dipped her toe into the dating pool again, going out with school principal Greg Snelgrove (Paul Gleeson). But it turned out that the fishtank-loving Greg wasn’t her ideal man after all. Plenty of fish in the sea, Irene!
Attacking Tommy (2019)
The former foster mum arrived home to find Bella fighting off her unhinged online attacker Tommy. In a panic, Irene struck him over the head with a vase and grabbed Bella.
Irene’s violent reaction was triggered by her past experience with sexual assault and she became consumed by grief and guilt.
“She tussles with it for a while, but eventually says no, they have to tell the truth,” Lynne said at the time.
