Father Ted turns 30: A look at what the iconic characters of Craggy Island are up to now

It’s hard to believe, but Father Ted first aired 30 years ago today – April 21st 1995.While there are a host of brilliant Irish TV shows across an array of genres — Mrs Brown’s Boys; The Young Offenders; Kin — nothing could ever beat Father Ted.The classic sitcom aired over three seasons, between 1995 and 1998, with just 25 episodes in total.

Written by Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews, the show is set in the fictional Craggy Island and follows the lives of a group of priests who live together. Pic: Channel 4The show won a number of British Academy TV Awards including Best Comedy Series on two occasions. Where are the actors who played the iconic characters now? Extra.



ie takes a look...

Dermot Morgan (Father Ted Crilly)Dermot played the titular character of Father Ted Crilly. The star first became known from RTÉ comedy show, The Live Mike, appearing on a number of segments as various characters — most notably Father Trendy.In the 80s, the Dublin native went onto front weekend radio show Scrap Saturday, which he received a Jacob’s Award for.

Pic: Channel 4Father Ted was Dermot’s big break in the UK, having already solidified himself as a household name in Ireland. Dermot died of a heart attack on February 28, 1998, only one day after recording the series finale of the third season. He was just 45 years old.

Ardal O’Hanlon (Father Dougal McGuire)Monaghan comic Ardal O’Hanlon is one of the founders of Ireland’s oldest comedy clubs, the International Comedy Cellar, in 1988. O’Hanlon was cast as Father Dougal after catching the attention of writer Graham Linehan.The comedian turned actor has a host of credits including Big Bad World (1999) and My Hero (2000).

The star has appeared on a number of well-known shows such as Derry Girls and Skin.He also wrote and presented RTÉ TV series, Leagues Apart in 2006.Comic Ardal O’Hanlon is one of the founders of Ireland’s oldest comedy clubs, the International Comedy Cellar, in 1988 Pic: Channel 4Perhaps his biggest role since Fr Ted is his role as DI Jack Mooney on BBC crime-drama Death in Paradise.

He played the role as the detective inspector from for three series.Ardal is set to star in Fran the Man, an RTÉ football mockumentary which also stars Amy Huberman. He is also the author of two books, The Talk of the Town (1998) and Brouhaha (2022).

Frank Kelly (Father Jack Hackett)Blackrock native Frank had a background in journalism before taking a shot at acting. His first film role was uncredited, but he memorably starred in RTÉ children’s classic, Wanderly Wagon.He took up the role of drunk womanizer priest Father Jack Hackett in 1995 and then starred in Glenroe following his stint on Father Ted.

Other credits include Irish short-film Yu Ming is Ainm Dom and TG4 series Paddywhackery. He also had a role in Mrs Brown’s Boys D’Movie.Pic: ITV/REX/ShutterstockIn 2010, Frank joined the cast of Emmerdale as Dermot Macey.

In 2015, Frank revealed he had Parkinson’s disease and was recovering from bowel cancer. He died of a heart attack on February 28, 2016 — exactly 18 years after his Father Ted co-star Dermot Morgan.Pauline McLynn (Mrs Doyle)Sligo native Pauline McLynn played Mrs Doyle — the housekeeper for the priests, who loved to push cups of tea at them (Ah gwan.

Gwan, gwan gwan!’) She received a British Comedy Award for her performance in 1996.She received an IFTA nomination for Best Actress following her critically acclaimed performance in 2005 film Gypo. Pic: Neil Mockford/WireImageThe 61-year-old has appeared in Shameless, Eastenders, The Young Offenders and Doctor Who.

She is set to appear in British adventure-comedy Man and With: The Dance of a Thousand Steps alongside Eddie Izzard.Graham Norton (Father Noel Furlong)TV presenter, actor, writer Graham Norton had a recurring role in Father Ted, appearing in three episodes in 1996.The TV presenter started off performing in a stand-up comedy drag act, quickly earning his place as a chat show host in across a range of different shows throughout the years.

Graham Norton. Pic: Anthony Harvey/REX/ShutterstockHe is one of the main UK anchor’s of the Eurovision Song Contest, and fronts his own chat show, The Graham Norton Show on BBC. Last year, he also returned to present the revival of Wheel of Fortune.

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