Fr Ted fans flock to ‘Craggy Island’ on 20th anniversary of Dermot Morgan’s death

Events include Priest’s Dance Off, The Lovely Girls competition and Ted’s Got Talent

Hundreds of Father Ted fans are expected to flock to "Craggy Island", normally known as Inis Mór, for Tedfest celebrations ahead of the 20th anniversary of Dermot Morgan's death.

The annual festival in Co Galway, which runs from Thursday, February 22nd to Sunday, February 25th, is in its 12th year.

Events include The Lovely Girls competition, Ted’s Got Talent, Priest’s Dance Off, Tea-Riffic Tea Dance and Tea Tasting and The Craggy Island Céilí.

The 1990s TV comedy series starred the late Dermot Morgan as Fr Ted Crilly, the late Frank Kelly as the alcoholic Father Jack Hackett, Ardal O'Hanlon as Father Dougal and Pauline McLynn as the priests' housekeeper, Mrs Doyle.

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It was set on the fictitious remote Craggy Island off the west coast of Ireland.

Morgan died suddenly from a heart attack aged 45 on February 28th, 1998, shortly after recording the final episode of the sitcom.

Father Ted originally ran for three seasons on Channel 4 between 1995 and 1998.

The show still has a strong following and the welcoming quotes to the celebration are: “So we’ll all meet every year at the end of February on a small island in the Atlantic” - “That’s mad Ted”.

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty

Rachel Flaherty is an Irish Times journalist