NiallOK’s Blog

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Aoife Finnernan of the Evening Herald writes: [source] (registration required)

It sounds like one of Fr. Ted’s hairbrained ideas, but there’s nothing comical about the first annual “Ted-stock” festival on the Aran Island of Inis Mór. Next month more than 100 devout fans of the hit comedy will converge on the island for a three-day homage to their favourite stars. And despite a complete lack of advertising, the three-day event is already a sell-out, with hundreds of fans left disappointed. The brainchild of Welshman Peter Phillips and Galwegian Fergal McGrath, the Friends of Fr. Ted festival kicks off on February 23 on the largest of the three Aran Islands.

Peter explained: “The original idea was that a handful of us would go out to Inis Mor and have a sort of Fr Ted tribute weekend. We only ever intended inviting a few people but we set up a website and then it just snowballed from there. “The festival coincides with the anniversary of Dermot Morgan’s death, which is very fitting. All proceeds from the weekend will go to Croi, the West of Ireland Cardiology Foundation.”

He added: “I’ve been a fan of the show ever since it started. There’s something surreal about 100 people dressed as priests and nuns, heading over to a remote island for a weekend. “We’ve broached it with the islanders and they’re very enthusiastic, I think there’s a rich vein of insanity there! The local schoolchildren are even preparing Father Ted sketches in Irish.”

The outlandish Father Ted pilgrimage will kick off at Rossaveal port when the fans make their way on to the waiting ferries. Peter revealed: “People are dressing up for the weekend, so we’ll have a Mrs Doyle ferry, a Fr Jack ferry and a Dougal ferry.” Programme writers Graham Linehan and Arthur Matthews have been informed about the new festival, while production company Hatrick has lent its support to the proceedings. In addition, it is hoped that the three surviving main cast members may be able to make guest appearances on the island.

Fans will enjoy a Lovely Girls contest, a Ferrero Rocher quiz night, a Father Jack cocktail evening and even a priests and nuns five-a-side football tournament. However, the festival is still searching for a milk float to recreate the hidden bomb episode. Tedstock will also provide visitors with a chance to compose Inis Mor’s official entry for this year’s national song contest, a tribute to the programme’s infamous Eurovision song My Lovely Horse.

(King of the Sheep competition … listen out for the “fuckin’ hell!”!)

Being from the west myself and having only recently made the journey (a couple of months ago) by ferry with my fiancèe from Rossaveal port to Inis Mór and explored the island, I think this is a fantastic idea and I’m sorry I’m going to miss it. Anything that boosts the tourism trade to the island - especially in this low season - is a damn good idea… and this particular idea sounds like being great fun too! I must make sure and get my tickets for next year!!

Apparently, though, according to tv3 news this evening, the islanders of Inis Oírr aren’t very happy with the idea of being left out of the festival, saying that they should be involved in running it as their island features in the opening credits of the show too. They think the festival should be a shared event between the islands of Inis Oírr and Inis Mór.

I don’t see the people of Ennistymon, Ballyvaughan and Lahinch (and surrounding areas of the Co. Clare coast including the Cliffs of Moher and the Ailwee Cave) complaining - even though most of the actual location filming of the show took place there.