Who was the famous musician who had that walk-on part?
As its fans know, Father Ted is full of clever hidden meanings, in-jokes, witty symbolism, and humorous details.
Whether you're an obsessive fan or a recent convert to Father Ted, you'll discover plenty when award-winning Irish comedian, Joe Rooney (who played gurrier priest Fr Damo ) presents A Celebration of Father Ted in The Loft at Seven on Saturday October 29 as part of the Galway Comedy Festival.
“It will be an event that gives a good flavour of Father Ted,” says Joe. “There will be a quiz, a Lovely Girls Competition, slides, and music, as well as stand-up. It will be very interactive.”
Joe has been a stalwart of the Irish comedy scene since the 1990s. Winner of Best Comedian at the 2017 Pure M Awards, he also starred as Timmy in the RTÉ sitcom Killinaskully. In Father Ted, his character, Fr Damo, appeared in the Season Two episode, ‘The Old Grey Whistle Theft’, first broadcast in 1996, with his bad boy behaviour leading poor Fr Dougal astray.
“I arrive at the show as Father Damo,” says Joe. “I’ll also be giving away whistles, as the theft of a whistle is at the centre of that episode.”
The emphasis on the night will be comedy education, with plenty for both obsessives and newer fans to learn.
It's your time to shine too, because audience participation will be a huge part of the show. “I’ll get people up dancing,” Joe says. “I’ll get them up for the Lovely Girls Competition (which will not be gender specific ). I’ll divide the room in two and both sides will compete in the quiz.”
At previous performances of celebration shows like this, Joe has noticed how many in the audience “weren’t alive when Father Ted came out originally”. This of course goes to show that Father Ted’s iconic status remains undimmed, and what better guide to the show than Joe Rooney himself!
A Celebration of Father Ted with Joe Rooney takes place in The Loft at Seven on Saturday October 29 at 7.30pm. The special guest will be Pat McDonnell who played Eoin McLove in Father Ted.
Get your tickets here
