‘ECUMENICAL craic’ of all kinds has been promised, as the world-famous homage to comedy classic Fr Ted returns to Inis Mór.
TedFest will be back in early March for devotees of the hit Channel 4 comedy, much of which was shot in North Clare. The largest of the Aran Islands is set to be transformed once again into the legendary ‘Craggy Island’, from March 2, for a weekend of high-jinx.
“Copious cups of tea and sandwiches, a lot of red tank-tops, nuns on the run, priests on the pull, mad-cap costumes and of course a bishop getting a kick up the arse,” have been promised by organisers, as one of Ireland’s best loved TV shows is celebrated with gusto.
“Visitors will enjoy all the ecumenical craic that Craggy Island has to offer and the official programme has now been announced for the biggest ever Tedfest,” they added.
Highlights include the annual ‘Lovely Girls Competition’, ‘Blind Date with Eoin McLove’, ‘King of the Sheep’, ‘Pat Mustard Lip Sync Showdown’, ‘The Craggy Cup’, ‘Ted’s Got Talent’, ‘The Screeching Competition in a very Dark Cave’, ‘Matchmaking with Nellie’, ‘The Priest’s Dance Off’, ‘The Ghost Town Disco’, ‘The Craggy Comedy Craic Den’, ‘The Pan Asian Zen-Off’, ‘The Reverse Wheel of Death’, ‘The Father Ted Prizeless Quiz’, and ‘Hide a Nun and Seek’.
The finale on Sunday night is entitled ‘We Made the BBC’ where revellers are invited to dress as their favourite BBC broadcasters.
Original members of Fr Ted cast are also firm favourites at the event and crooner par excellence Patrick McDonnell, aka Eoin McLove, is confirmed to host Blind Date.
‘Willie or no willie’, Craggy Island’s most beloved singer always draws a crowd. Meanwhile, competition can also be intense for the coveted ‘Lovely Girls’ title.
Organisers say they are looking for “lovely talents, lovely laughs, cone walking and general loveliness at all times”. ‘Ted’s Got Talent’ is also a big highlight with some very memorable moments that are definitely deserving of the sought-after tiny cup.
“‘The Comedy Craic Den’ and music line-up is always a triumph at TedFest and the charity trad sessions will surely bring out the dancing priests and raise some money for a good cause that won’t just ‘rest in our account’,” organisers added.
All activity will take place at the Aran Islands Hotel on Inis Mór which has the space to accommodate the music stages, the Craggy Craic Den and full extended line-up.
Tickets are now sold out as all accommodation on the island with roofs, heating and running water is now fully booked by TedFest revellers.
The official event website’s advice is, “Please do not buy a ticket unless you have privately sourced accommodation or permission from another ticket holder to sleep with them.”
However, there is still a way to attend TedFest staying with other hardcore adventurers in the Tented Village. More details are available on Irelandglamping.ie.