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THE LIVES OF Father Ted Crilly and Dougal McGuire suggest that Craggy Island doesn’t have a lot going on.
However, in hindsight, it packs a lot in to a pretty small space from a radioactive waste dump to a Chinese district.
The real-life locations of these landmarks have now become subject of tours in the west of Ireland.
Janet Cavanagh has been running these over the past few years as Ted Tours.
The first tours took place in 2008 as part of Ted Fest, and a few years down the line she took them on as a full-time business
It has proven to be a popular attraction to families, but also to hen parties (who are catered for with ‘plenty of singing, and a Lovely Girls competition’), who have booked tours throughout the summer, Cavanagh said.
If that’s not enough, FatherTed.net has a comprehensive list of locations from Father Ted, right down to exact GPS co-ordinates. This websites shows the majority are in and around Clare…
… but there’s also a handful on the other side of Ireland.
Here’s a run-down of the main locations, starting with Craggy Island itself…
As you have probably realised – and if you haven’t, we hate to break it to you – but Craggy Island isn’t real. The island portrayed as it in the opening credits is actually Inisheer.
The shipwreck
The iconic shipwreck from the opening credits has now become a tourist attraction. Previously a cargo ship, the MV Plassy struck rocks off Inisheer in 1960.
The ship has remained there since, but is looking a little worse for wear.
The Parochial House
The house itself is real, and still stands at Killinaboy in Co Clare. The McCormack family are currently living there, but are willing to let members of the public pop in to enjoy some afternoon tea.
The cinema
Source: Channel 4/YouTubeKnown for the Fathers’ protest over The Passion of Saint Tibulus, this cinema was actually located in Greystones, Co Wicklow.
Ireland’s largest lingerie section
Source: Channel 4/YouTubeThis was located in a Dunnes Stores in Ennis, Co Clare.
A local councillor called for it to be designated a local landmark, but told DailyEdge.ie that it is, sadly, now a fruit and veg section.
John and Mary’s Shop
The shop (if it ever was a shop) is now a couple of ferry offices in Doolin.
The Field
Although not quite a field (it’s described as a place where there are simply fewer rocks than anywhere else on Craggy Island), it served its function as the location of Funland.
In reality, it’s a car park near Portane, north Co Dublin.
Kilkelly Caravan Park
Source: Hat Trick/YouTubeThe caravan from hell (where Graham Norton as Father Noel Furlong made his first appearance), is located somewhere at this site near Fanore Beach, Co Clare.
The Very Dark Caves
These are the Aillwee Caves in Ballyvaughan (which, as it happens, are also very dark).
Everything from the Raffle Hall to the Speed III roundabout
The rural village of Kilfenora has been the scene of several episodes, ranging from the runaway milk van in Speed III to the Craggy Island Church.
The Mainland
Source: Channel 4/YouTubeEnnistymon in Clare is also seen in several episodes, including as a street in The Mainland and the location for Alcoholic’s Anonymous. It’s also where one particularly special music video was shot.
Source: clare virtually/YouTubeRead: ‘Father Ted taught the Catholic Church how to laugh at itself’ >
More: Think you know everything there is to know about Father Ted? Try these… >
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