News Item

From Special Kansas City Irish Fest Craggy Island Correspondent Ronan Collins:

The organisers of the 'Father Ted' tribute festival,'Ted Fest', have announced details of the 2008 festival.

The week-long 'Ted Fest II' will run in Kilfenora, Co Clare from 25 to 27 February and on Inis Mór in the Aran Islands from 29 February to 2 March.

Revellers still hoping to join in the celebrations of the 1990s sitcom will have to enter a competition for tickets.

The 'Golden Tickets', as they are known, sold out within a half an hour of going on general sale.

However, organisers have held back some tickets, and those hoping to make the trip have been invited to enter a lottery here for the precious few that remain.


In the lead up to the festival, Peter Phillips of Friends of Ted will spend 40 days and 40 nights pushing a milk float around Ireland to raise money for Down Syndrome Ireland.

During his push, regional heats will be held for the 2008 New Irish Comedy awards in Galway, Belfast, Dublin and Cork. The competition will culminate with the final in Galway on 27 February.

The four aforementioned cities will also host heats for the 'Lovely Girls Competition'.

Heat winners will get to compete in the final, whichwill take place during 'Ted Fest Inis Mór' on 1 March.

Other events to be staged include the 'Song for Europe' contest and the 'Black & White Ball'.

The ball will be held in Galway to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the death of 'Father Ted' star Dermot Morgan, who died on 28 February 1998.

And here are Dougal and Ted, in a milkfloat, as a matter of fact.