Ireland's Fittest Family

Ireland's Fittest Family is an Irish TV series where families from across Ireland compete in different adventure races and fitness competitions in an effort to win €15,000 and the title of 'Ireland's Fittest Family'.

Ireland's Fittest Family
GenreEntertainment
Created byJames Sexton and Davy Fitzgerald
Presented byMairéad Ronan
Kathryn Thomas
Judges
Narrated byDarragh Maloney
Country of originIreland
No. of seasons8
Production
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running timeApprox. 52 minutes
Release
Original networkRTÉ One / RTÉ2
Chronology
Preceded byCelebrity Bainisteoir
External links
Website

Since 2014 there have been seven series of the programme.

Series 1

The first series saw coaches, Davy Fitzgerald, Kenneth Egan, Nikki Symmons and Eddie O'Sullivan take part in the competition.

In the first episode each coach began with three families.

The Heats took place in Dublin docks, the quarterfinals took place in Killary Adventure Centre, the semifinals took place in Hell and Back, the final returned to Dublin docks.

The winning family were the O'Reilly family from County Cavan coached by Nikki Symmons.[1]

Coach Family Billed from The Heats Quarterfinals Semifinals The Final
Nikki Symmons O'Reilly Cavan - - - 2ND WIN - - WIN Winners
Kenneth Egan Davern Offaly - 2ND - - SAFE - - ELIM Runners-up
Davy Fitzgerald McNally Monaghan 2ND - - - ELIM - WIN - Third place
Nikki Symmons Donegan Offaly - - - WIN - SAFE ELIM - Fourth place
Davy Fitzgerald Ronayne Mayo WIN - - - - ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal 2
Kenneth Egan Kelly Dublin - WIN - - - WIN ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal 1
Eddie O'Sullivan Colclough Wicklow - - WIN - - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 2
Houlihan Waterford - - 2ND - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 1
Nikki Symmons Roche Waterford - - - 3RD Eliminated in Nikki's heat
Eddie O'Sullivan McQuillan Dublin - - 3RD Eliminated in Eddie's heat
Kenneth Egan Farrell Dublin - 3RD Eliminated in Kenneth's heat
Davy Fitzgerald Rice Wicklow 3RD Eliminated in Davy's heat

Series 2

The second series saw coaches, Davy Fitzgerald and Kenneth Egan return. New coaches Derval O'Rourke and Jason Sherlock replaced Nikki Symmons and Eddie O'Sullivan.

The second series also saw Series 1 runners-up, the Daverns return for a second year in a row. Series 1 early eliminated family, the Rices returned for a second year in a row too, this time with their brother David replacing their brother Stephen.

The first round heats took place in Spike Island in County Cork, the second round took place in Killary Adventure Centre, the quarterfinals took place in Hell and Back, the semifinal was in Lough Key Forest Park and the final returned to Hell and Back.

The winning family were the Kingston family from County Cork coached by Derval O'Rourke who defeated the Mulhare family from County Laois also coached by O'Rourke. This remains the only time a two families went head to head in the final race mentored by the same coach.[2]

Coach Family Billed from First Round

(The Heats)

 Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinal The Final
Derval O'Rourke Kingston Cork - ELIM - - ELIM - - ELIM ELIM Winners
Mulhare Laois - WIN - - - WIN WIN - WIN Runners-up
Davy Fitzgerald Davern Offaly - - - WIN WIN - - WIN SAFE Third place
Jason Sherlock Kearney Wexford ELIM - - - SAFE - ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal
Rice Wicklow WIN - - - - SAFE - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 2
Kenneth Egan Hurley Wicklow - - ELIM - - ELIM ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 1
Davy Fitzgerald Unnamed family* - - - - ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round 2
Kenneth Egan Shovlin Wexford - - WIN - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round 1
Davy Fitzgerald Wylde Dublin - - - ELIM Eliminated in Davy's Heat
Kenneth Egan Rogerson Dublin - - ELIM Eliminated in Kenneth's Heat
Derval O'Rourke Behan Dublin - ELIM Eliminated in Derval's Heat
Jason Sherlock O'Flaherty Roscommon ELIM Eliminated in Jason's Heat
  • *The ‘Unnamed family’ was edited from the eventual airing of the series after it was discovered, after filming, that one of the family members had been involved in criminal activity.[3]

Series 3

The third series saw coaches, Davy Fitzgerald and Jason Sherlock return. New coaches Alan Quinlan and Anna Geary replaced Kenneth Egan and Derval O'Rourke.

Unlike the previous two series, Series 3 saw the coaches begin with no assigned families. After the results of the heats the coaches chose who they wanted on their teams.

This series saw the Daverns return for a third year in a row, having previously finished in second and third place in Series 1 and 2, respectively. Series 2 families, the Kearneys and the Wyldes both returned to the competition for a second year in a row. The Behans from Series 2 also returned for a second year, however, they replaced their son and brother, Daryl, with their other son and brother, Thomas, on the team.

The Farren family became the first ever team from Northern Ireland to compete.

- Heat 1 was overseen by Anna Geary and Davy Fitzgerald. After winning a coin toss Anna had the first pick. She chose, the Daverns, Davy chose the O'Brien Devines, Anna chose the McGraynors and Davy was left with the Behans. Following an injury sustained in the first heat, Michele McGraynor wasn't permitted to continue in the show, forcing the McGraynors to drop out of the competition. They were replaced on Anna's team by the fastest losing family from the Heats, the Thompsons.

- Heat 2 was overseen by Alan Quinlan and Jason Sherlock. After winning a coin toss Jason had the first pick. He chose, the Kearneys, Alan chose the Naylors, Jason chose the Farrens and Alan was left with the Wyldes.

The Heats took place in Dún Laoghaire harbour, the quarterfinals took place in Killary Adventure Centre, the semifinal took place in Mayhem in Cahir, County Tipperary and the final was in Shannon Airport.

The series was won by the O'Brien Devine family from County Waterford coached by Davy Fitzgerald.[4]

Coach Family Billed from First Round

(The Heats)

 Quarterfinals Semifinals The Final
Davy Fitzgerald O'Brien Devine Waterford WIN - - - - WIN ELIM - Winners
Jason Sherlock Farren Derry - - ELIM - ELIM - WIN - Runners-up
Anna Geary Davern Offaly - ELIM - - WIN - - WIN Third place
Jason Sherlock Kearney Wexford - - - ELIM - SAFE - ELIM Fourth place
Alan Quinlan Wylde Dublin - - - WIN - ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal 2
Naylor Mayo - - WIN - SAFE - ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal 1
Anna Geary Thompson Westmeath - - - Eliminated in Heat 4 Returned ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 2
Davy Fitzgerald Behan Dublin - WIN - - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 1
Anna Geary McGraynor Wicklow ELIM - - - Removed because of injury
- Gill Kildare - - ELIM Eliminated in Heat 3
- Beirne Leitrim - ELIM Eliminated in Heat 2
- McCann Kildare ELIM Eliminated in Heat 1

Series 4

The fourth series saw coaches, Alan Quinlan, Anna Geary and Davy Fitzgerald return. New coach Stephen Hunt replaced Jason Sherlock.

Like the previous series, Series 4 saw the coaches begin with no assigned families. After the results of the heats, the coaches chose who they wanted on their teams.

This series was the first series since Series 1 to have twelve brand new families who'd never competed in the show previously.

- Heat 1 was overseen by Davy Fitzgerald and Stephen Hunt. After winning a coin toss Stephen had the first pick. He chose, the McCarthys, Davy chose the Mullins family, Stephen chose the Bailys and Davy was left with the Maritz family.

- Heat 2 was overseen by Alan Quinlan and Anna Geary. After winning a coin toss Anna had the first pick. She chose, the Broadhursts, Alan chose the Ryans, Anna chose the Cummins family and Alan was left with the Griffins.

The Heats took place on the Tough Mudder course, the second round took place in Dublin docks, the quarterfinals took place in Mayhem in Cahir, Co. Tipperary, the semifinal took place in Killary Adventure Centre and the final returned to Dublin docks.

The series was won by the Cummins family from County Tipperary coached by Anna Geary.[5][6]

Coach Family Billed from First Round

(The Heats)

 Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinal The Final
Anna Geary Cummins Tipperary - - ELIM - WIN - - WIN WIN Winners
Stephen Hunt McCarthy Clare WIN - - SAFE - WIN - SAFE Runners-up
Alan Quinlan Ryan Donegal - - WIN - ELIM - ELIM - ELIM Third place
Stephen Hunt Baily Cork - WIN - - - WIN - ELIM ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal
Davy Fitzgerald Mullins Limerick - ELIM - - - ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 2
Anna Geary Broadhurst Louth - - - WIN - SAFE ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 1
Alan Quinlan Griffin Kilkenny - - - ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round 2
Davy Fitzgerald Maritz Dublin ELIM - - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round 1
- O'Mahony Kerry - - - ELIM Eliminated in Heat 4
- Boylan Waterford - - ELIM Eliminated in Heat 3
- Egan Offaly - ELIM Eliminated in Heat 2
- Hollands Dublin ELIM Eliminated in Heat 1

Series 5

On 10 May 2017 it was announced that Derval O'Rourke would be returning to the coaching panel for the first time since Series 2. It was also confirmed that Anna Geary and Davy Fitzgerald would return for a third and fifth series in a row, respectively. On 1 June 2017 it was announced that rugby player Donncha O'Callaghan would join the panel as the fourth coach.

The Beirnes from County Leitrim returned to the series for a second chance at the title. They were previously eliminated in the first round in Series 3. Colm Naylor of the Naylor family from Series 3 also returned to this year's series, this time, with three brand new team members.

In a show-first, each of the heats were overseen by all four coaches. After all four heats, eight families remained; the coaches then drew lots to determine the order in which they would choose. Derval had the first pick - she chose the Cores, Anna had the second pick – she chose the Meaghers, Davy had the third pick – he chose the O'Connors and Donncha had the fourth pick he chose the Beirnes. For the second round of picks, the order was reversed meaning Donncha had the fifth pick – he chose the Smyths, Davy had the sixth pick – he chose the Naylors, Anna had the seventh pick – she chose the Guilfoyles and Derval was left the last family standing – the Hynes family.

The Heats took place at Camden Fort Meagher, the second round took place at Hell and Back, the quarterfinals took place at Cork Docks, the semifinal took place at Killary Adventure Centre and the final returned to Hell and Back.

In the second round of the competition, Cathal O'Connor of the O'Connor family suffered a fracture to his arm. He was ruled out from competing in the rest of the competition but was replaced by his older brother, Ciaran.

The series was won by the Beirne family from County Leitrim coached by Donncha O'Callaghan.[7] They became the first family who had previously competed in the competition to come back and win the show.

Coach Family Billed from First Round

(The Heats)

 Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinal The Final
Donncha O'Callaghan Beirne Leitrim - - WIN - - SAFE ELIM - SAFE Winners
Davy Fitzgerald O'Connor Wexford - - - WIN ELIM - WIN - ELIM Runners-up
Donncha O'Callaghan Smyth Kildare WIN - - - WIN - - WIN WIN Third place
Derval O'Rourke Core Westmeath - - - ELIM SAFE - - ELIM ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal
Anna Geary Guilfoyle Clare - WIN - - - ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 2
Davy Fitzgerald Naylor Mayo - - ELIM - - WIN ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 1
Derval O'Rourke Hynes Limerick ELIM - - - - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round 2
Anna Geary Meagher Tipperary - ELIM - - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round 1
- Brady Meath - - - ELIM Eliminated in Heat 4
- Nangle Westmeath - - ELIM Eliminated in Heat 3
- Ó Gibne Galway - ELIM Eliminated in Heat 2
- Ryan Kildare ELIM Eliminated in Heat 1

Series 6

Applications for the sixth series opened in May 2018. For the first time ever, all four coaches from the previous year, Anna Geary, Davy Fitzgerald, Derval O'Rourke and Donncha O'Callaghan, returned for a second year in a row. This will be the first time all four coaches will have won a previous season; meaning that the coach that won this season will be the first coach to ever win twice. On the 30th July 2018 it was announced that Mairéad Ronan would step back as host from this series to give birth to her third child. Kathryn Thomas will replace her as host.[8]

This was the first series to ever start with more than twelve families. Twenty families featured in the first episode, with eight being eliminated before its conclusion. It was also the first series since Series 4 not to feature any families who had previously competed in the competition.

Following the first round, twelve families remained. The coaches drew lots to determine the order of selection. Anna had the first pick - she chose the Finnegan Hogans, Donncha had the second pick - he chose the Lawlors, Davy had the third pick - he chose the Pierses and Derval had the fourth pick - she chose the Cartys. For the second round of picks, the order was reversed meaning Derval had the fifth pick - she chose the Finnegans, Davy had the sixth pick - he chose the McDonalds, Donncha had the seventh pick - he chose the Lallys and Anna had the eighth pick - she chose the Coneys. For the final round of selection, Anna had the ninth pick - she chose the McDonnells, Donncha had the tenth pick - he chose the Furlongs, Derval had the eleventh pick - she chose the Sinnotts, which meant Davy was left with the Lipinskis.

The first round was spread out over two locations the 'Battle of the Beach' took place on Dollymount, 'Vertigo' came from on top of the Irish Life Centre. The second round came from an abandoned tannery in Portlaw. The Quarterfinals were held in Dublin Docklands, the Semifinals were in Hell & Back and the Grand Final was held for the first time in Croke Park.

The series was won by the Coney family from County Tyrone coached by Anna Geary, making her the first coach to win twice.[9]

Coach Family Billed from First Round

(The Qualifiers)

 Second Round

(The Heats)

 Quarterfinals Semifinals The Final
Battle of the Beach Vertigo QF1 QF2 SF1 SF2
Anna Geary Coney Tyrone 11th ELIM - - WIN - WIN - WIN - SAFE Winners
Davy Fitzgerald McDonald Laois 1st - - ELIM - - SAFE - - WIN ELIM Runners-up
Donncha O'Callaghan Lawlor Limerick 2nd - - - - ELIM - ELIM ELIM - WIN Third place
Anna Geary Finnegan Hogan Cork 5th ELIM - - ELIM - - WIN - ELIM ELIM Eliminated in Final
Donncha O'Callaghan Lally Dublin 8th GIVEN BYE - - - WIN ELIM - - ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal 2
Davy Fitzgerald Pierse Kerry 4th - - WIN - - - SAFE ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal 1
Derval O'Rourke Finnegan Cork 13th ELIM WIN - - - - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 2
Sinnott Wexford 18th ELIM ELIM - - - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 1
Donncha O'Callaghan Furlong Donegal 6th ELIM - - - ELIM Eliminated in Donncha's Heat
Anna Geary McDonnell Mayo 9th ELIM - - ELIM Eliminated in Anna's Heat
Davy Fitzgerald Lipinski Tipperary 20th ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Davy's Heat
Derval O'Rourke Carty Sligo 3rd - ELIM Eliminated in Derval's Heat
- Flynn Galway 12th ELIM Eliminated by the Lipinksi family
- Leonard Limerick 15th ELIM Eliminated by the Sinnott family
- Ryan Dublin 10th ELIM Eliminated by the Finnegan Hogan family
- Rooney Donegal 14th ELIM Eliminated by the Finnegan family
- Dunne Louth 19th FORFEIT Withdrew from the competition
- McCarthy Dublin 17th ELIM Eliminated by the Furlong family
- Jones Dublin 16th ELIM Eliminated by the Coney family
- McLoughlin Kildare 7th ELIM Eliminated by the McDonnell family

2018 Celebrity Special

On the 31st December 2018, following the sixth series, a one-off Christmas special involving celebrity families took place. Each family taking part was awarded €1,000 for a charity of their choice.[10]

The celebrities which took part were;

The series was won by Norma Sheahan and her family. They won €10,000 for their charity of choice.[11]

Coach Family The Arena Hanging Tough Final Race
Donncha O'Callaghan Sheahan 3rd 1st Winners
Davy Fitzgerald Walsh 2nd 2nd Runners-up
Derval O'Rourke Price 1st 3rd Eliminated
Anna Geary Redmond 4th Eliminated

Series 7

In April 2019, the series was confirmed to be returning for a seventh year with Mairéad Ronan resuming hosting duties following her departure from the show the previous year to give birth.[12] For the third year-in-a row, all four coaches, Anna Geary, Davy Fitzgerald, Derval O'Rourke and Donncha O'Callaghan, returned to the competition.

This series began with fifteen families. For the second year-in-a-row, none of the families had ever competed in the competition before.

Following the first round, twelve families remained. The coaches drew lots to determine the order of selection. Davy had the first pick - he chose the Hogans, Anna had the second pick - she chose the Mahers, Derval had the third pick - she chose the Dinans and Donncha had the fourth pick - he chose the O'Driscolls. For the second round of picks, the order was reversed meaning Donncha had the fifth pick - he chose the McSharrys, Derval had the sixth pick - she chose the Murphys, Anna had the seventh pick - she chose the Uí Bhraonáin family and Davy had the eighth pick - he chose the McComiskeys. For the final round of selection, Davy had the ninth pick - he chose the Cookes, Anna had the tenth pick - she chose the McArdles, Derval had the eleventh pick - she chose the Mandiangus, which meant Donncha was left with the Prendergasts.

The first round took place across two locations in Dublin. The three heats happened in Poolbeg while the eliminators took place at Kilternan ski-slope. The second round took place in Sligo Airport and Strandhill beach. The quarterfinals took place at Hell & Back, while the semi-finals came from Dublin Docklands. The final came from Croke Park for the second year-in-a-row.

The series was won by the McSharrys from County Sligo coached by Donncha O'Callaghan, making him the second coach to pull off a second win.[13]

Coach Family Billed from First Round

(The Qualifiers)

 Second Round Quarterfinals Semifinals The Final
Raft Race Buoyed Up Barrelling Along QF1 QF2 SF1 SF2
Donncha O'Callaghan McSharry Sligo WIN - - - WIN WIN - - WIN SAFE Winners
Davy Fitzgerald Hogan Wexford - WIN - WIN - SAFE - ELIM - ELIM Runners-up
Derval O'Rourke Dinan Cork 2ND - - WIN - - SAFE WIN - WIN Third place
Anna Geary Maher Laois - 2ND - - WIN ELIM - - ELIM ELIM Eliminated in Final
Derval O'Rourke Murphy Wexford - - 2ND ELIM - - WIN - ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal 2
Anna Geary Uí Bhraonáin Carlow - 3RD - - ELIM - ELIM ELIM Eliminated in Semifinal 1
Donncha O'Callaghan Prendergast Limerick 5TH - - - ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 2
Derval O'Rourke Mandiangu Dublin - - 3RD ELIM - ELIM Eliminated in Quarterfinal 1
Donncha O'Callaghan O'Driscoll Dublin - - WIN - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round
Anna Geary McArdle Down - - 4TH - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round
Davy Fitzgerald McComiskey Down - 5TH - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round
Cooke Antrim 3RD - - ELIM Eliminated in Second Round
- Farmer Cork - - 5TH Eliminated in the First Round
- Mullen Tipperary - 4TH Eliminated in the First Round
- Hogan Limerick 4TH Eliminated in the First Round

2019 Celebrity Special

On the 31st December 2018, following the seventh series, the Christmas special returned for a second year in a row. Each family taking part was awarded €1,000 for a charity of their choice.[14]

The celebrities which took part were;

The series was won by Rob & Marian Heffernan and their family. They won €10,000 for their charity of choice.[15]

Coach Family Event #1 Event #2 Final Race
Derval O'Rourke Heffernan 1st 1st Winners
Anna Geary Hurley 2nd 2nd Runners-up
Davy Fitzgerald Dowling 3rd 3rd Eliminated
Donncha O'Callaghan O'Sullivan 4th Eliminated

Series 8

In May 2020, the series was confirmed to be returning for an eighth edition with Mairéad Ronan returning as host.[16] For the fourth year-in-a row, all four coaches, Anna Geary, Davy Fitzgerald, Derval O'Rourke and Donncha O'Callaghan, were announced to be returning to the competition.

Coaches
Coach Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Series 6 Series 7 Series 8
Davy Fitzgerald Coach
Anna Geary Coach
Derval O'Rourke Coach Coach
Donncha O'Callaghan Coach
Alan Quinlan Coach
Stephen Hunt Coach
Jason Sherlock Coach
Kenneth Egan Coach
Nikki Symmons Coach
Eddie O'Sullivan Coach

Hosts
Coach Series 1 Series 2 Series 3 Series 4 Series 5 Series 6 Series 7 Series 8
Mairéad Ronan Host Host
Kathryn Thomas Host

References
  1. "Clodagh's family is Ireland's Fittest Family : Loreto College Cavan". loretocavan.scoilnet.ie. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  2. "Cork farmers win Ireland's Fittest Family". Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  3. "'My dream is to help people' - cartel man's plan to be health guru - Herald.ie". Herald.ie. Retrieved 2018-05-03.
  4. Cahill, Jackie. "'It was a bit weird being scrutinised by the cameras' - Waterford star on big TV win". The42. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  5. tippfmnews (2016-12-19). "Cummins family hailed as Irelands Fittest Family 2016 - Tipp FM". Tipp FM. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  6. "Being Ireland's fittest family: how did they do that?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  7. "The Beirnes from Leitrim are Ireland's Fittest Fmaily". Retrieved 2018-06-02.
  8. "Kathryn Thomas hosting new Ireland's Fittest Family". RTE.ie. 2018-07-30. Retrieved 2018-07-31.
  9. Motors, Mitsubishi (2018-12-17). "First family team from Tyrone named Ireland's Fittest Family". Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  10. "Don't miss Ireland's Fittest Family Celebrity Special on RTÉ One". 2018-12-31. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  11. "Norma Sheahan wins Ireland's Fittest Family". Cork ARC Cancer Support House. Retrieved 2019-04-07.
  12. Townsend, Michelle (2019-04-26). "Mairead Ronan confirmed to present next series of Ireland's Fittest Family". rsvp. Retrieved 2019-04-29.
  13. "Sligo family named the winners of Ireland's Fittest Family 2019". 2019-12-15. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  14. "RTÉ unwraps Christmas line-up across TV, radio, online". 2019-12-04. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  15. Tuesday; December 31; Pm, 2019-07:25 (2019-12-31). "Heffernans complete 'obstacle course from hell' on Ireland's Fittest Family to win €10k for Cork charity". www.irishexaminer.com. Retrieved 2020-05-25.CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. "Lockdown fails to stop the hunt for Ireland's Fittest Family". herald. Retrieved 2020-06-02.
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