“Well here we are now, all the lads”: TedFest returns to Inis Mór after COVID lay off

TedFest is set to make a comeback this year after a two-year lay off due to COVID.

The annual event will take place on Inis Mór, where the opening credits for the legendary series were filmed. TedFest will take place between March 3rd–6th and features a Girls Competitions, Ted's Got Talent, Craggy Island's Fittest Family and a Priests' Dance Off.

The 13th edition of the event will also include The Ronnie Drew Hour, The Virtual Confession Box, The Craggy Island Kill Bill Festival, The Father Ted Prizeless Quiz, The Craggy Cup, Matchmaking with Nellie, The Pirate Cruise and a Walking Tour to the Amish Community.

Joe Rooney (Fr. Damo) and Patrick McDonnell, (Fr. Eoin McLove) are set to appear at this year’s event. The festival will take place in the Aran Islands Hotel and tickets are available here.

TedFest has been running since 2007 in celebration of the life of Dermot Morgan (Fr. Ted Crilly). Fr. Ted Festival is the brainchild of Galway man Fergal McGrath and Cardiff native Peter Phillips. The pair plotted Ted Fest after meeting at a charity event in aid or relief for the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004.

Trad for Trócaire are set to provide entertainment at the festival along with Bad Ambassadors who claim to be The Divine Comedy’s only existing tribute band. The Divine Comedy composed the theme music for the series opening credits.

The festival is relatively small — by design of the festival organisers — and never explicitly asks cast members to appear at the festival. Joe Rooney has appeared at the festival before as the Craggy Cup referring to the teams as Blur and Oasis, Phillips told RTÉ.