Ireland’s Fittest Family returns to screens this autumn for its seventh series.
This RTÉ One programme, hosted by Mairead Ronan, sees the toughest families in the country take on the most gruelling and physical challenges imaginable. Returning this year to coach the families to victory are Davy Fitzgerald, Anna Geary, Derval O’Rourke and Donncha O’Callaghan. All of the coaches have on title each apart from Anna who has two titles and is gunning for her third.
The competition begins with 15 families in the first episode which is an hour and a half in duration. They will be put through extreme endurance challenges in new locations around the country, from steep sand dunes to airports to Irish bogs and the sheer gradient of Kilternan’s 180 metre Ski slope. Once again all roads lead to Croker where the final will take place and where the four surviving families will battle it out to be crowned Ireland’s Fittest Family 2019.Episode one features three heats in Poolbeg, Dublin alongside three eliminators on Kilternan Ski Slope, Ireland’s largest artificial ski slope.
The Rampage eliminator is unlike any challenge ever undertaken on Ireland’s Fittest Family. Families go head to head on the exhaustingly steep course which is broken by a cargo net crawl, rat tunnels and steel barriers ascending in height followed by an ultimate ramp covered in oil that proves to be an incredible struggle for the families to overcome.
Having watched the families take on the challenges, the episode ends with the coaches selecting their top three families from the 12 who have made it through round 1. They all must choose wisely as they know one of these families will go on to be the winner of Ireland’s Fittest Family 2019.
● Coaches all want to stop Anna Geary from winning a third title
● Davy has only won once across six series of the show. He had a great year with the Wexford hurling team, could this be his year in Ireland’s Fittest Family?
● Rampage is a brand new challenge never seen before on Irish TV
Families – 2019
The Maher’s – Laois
Nick, father, 52 – Farming-fit, takes part in local 5k and 10k races.
Fionn, son, 21 – Plays GAA and athletics. Had a bad accident while on holiday in Croatia last year. Was in hospital for some time but has made a full recovery.
Maebh, daughter, 19 – Now in college. Has won medals for athletics.
Cara, daughter, 17 – In 5th year, football and running is her passion.
The McArdle’s – Down
Catherine, 59, mother – The whole reason why the family is so big into fitness. Been cycling and climbing mountains since the 80’s. Cyclist by nature, a nurse to fund the habit.
Gary, 33, son – Eats drinks and sleeps the football. Played in the Down senior team for several years. But is a club man at heart and is still going strong at 33.
Anna, 31, twin daughter – Social worker by day, runner by evening. Loves a challenge and always on the look out for the next one. Always tries to be positive and always up for the craic.
Carla, 31, twin daughter – Podiatry lecturer by day, cyclist by evening. keeps the family in check and always on time. Has a ‘healthy competitiveness with Anna when it comes to the next challenge but would never miss a good night out.
Ui Bhraonain’s – Carlow
Richard, father, 54 – Richard played basketball in University and played inter county football. He now runs marathons – about 15 so far – and is training for Dublin City Marathon in October again this year.
Michelle, daughter, 23 – Michelle has played basketball and football for UCD, basketball for her local club, in the Dublin and National League and football for Old Leighlin and the county minor and senior teams. She now focuses her attention on triathlon.
Seán, son, 22 – Seán played basketball, hurling and football. He now plays football in University and for his local club Leighlinbridge and was on the county U21 football team. He competes in triathlons in his spare time.
Liam, son, 19 – Liam also played soccer, basketball, football and hurling. He plays football in University and also for Leighlinbridge. He was also a member of the county U21 team. He also competes in triathlons
The Cooke’s – Antrim
James, father, 65 –Jim works as a builder. He competes in triathlons and would be always highly placed even against younger athletes. He has also won many sprint triathlons including his most recent were he beat a former British Champion!
Sean-Paul, son, 38 – Electrician and father of two who didn’t have a great start to life as the doctors told his parents he would never walk. He proved them wrong and went on to play football for O’Donnells GAA in Belfast.
Caoimhe, daughter, 29 – Part-qualified accountant and a mother of a 7 year old. Swimming from age 5, competitive swimming age 12 and won a few titles. Has competed nationally with waterpolo on the same team as Dearbhaile. They are well known in waterpolo community and team members call them the Crazy Cookes!
Dearbhaile, daughter, 28 – Dearbhaile is a midwife and a mother of one. She was introduced to competitive swimming at the age of 11 and won numerous titles in NI in front crawl and butterfly. She then went on to play waterpolo and has competed at a national level representing Ireland.
The Hogan’s – Wexford
Dena, 37, mother – International mountain runner, Irish triathlete. Four-time Ironman
Tom, 37, father – International Mountain Runner, Wicklow Way 50-mile record holder. Two-time Ironman.
Josh, 17, son – Josh is currently gym obsessed by continues to play soccer and boxed to a high level up to age 15.
Jay, 14, son – Jay is all about the soccer and a member of the FAI centre of excellence, unless of course its during school hours then he plays everything apparently. He also dabbles a bit with the running posting a time of 18.20 for 5km when he was 13.
McComiskey’s – Down
Bernard, 47, father – Bernard is a retired pro boxer. He runs daily and has also been involved in Tullylish and soccer team Gilford crusaders before retiring. Bernard has ran 3 marathons so far.
Clodagh, 21, daughter – Clodagh boxes and has won seven Ulster titles and six Irish titles. She has also represented Ireland.
Sorcha, 18, daughter – Sorcha plays GAA for local club Tullylish ladies. She is currently taking her GCSEs.
Brogan, 14, son – Brogan is a boxer who enjoys all sports, he runs for his school and got to the All Ireland cross country championships last year. He also plays for his local GAA club.
The Dinan’s – Cork
Paul, father, 61 – Played rugby with Cork Con. late 70s, early 80s. Athletics and triathlons post-rugby. All-Ireland club national marathon winner with St. Finbarrs A.C. Completed Austrian Ironman as well as London, Boston, Belfast, Cork and Dublin marathons.
Alan, son, 30 – Played rugby with Cork Con., Highfield and U.C.C. and currently playing AIL with Wanderers RFC in Dublin. Worked post qualification and played rugby overseas in New Zealand. Currently in training for this event and for triathlon events.
Steven, son, 25 – Keen golfer now having given up rugby. Played with Pres P.B.C. and U.C.C./Dolphin. Current member of St Finbarrs A.C. and Riverstown F.C. Enjoys keeping fit and facing the challenge. Munster schools caps.
Sandra, daughter, 19 – Keen member of Glanmire ladies football club. Captain of U21 team who won County “A” Championship this year and member of County, Munster and All-Ireland junior club-winning side last year. Various underage East-Cork and County medals. Currently member of cork U21 ladies football team.
The Mandiangu’s – Dublin
Nathalie, 53, mother – Keeps active by walking and running.
Lariche, 32, daughter – Mother of three who’s very active and loves cooking and keeping fit. Would have competed in Athletics competitions over the years and once trained alongside Derval.
Gilmar, 27, son – Plays football for bluebell United and enjoys going the gym and going on walks
Blair, 24, son – Plays for Crumlin United and gym goer, healthy eater and non-drinker.
The Murphy’s – Wexford
Willie, father, 51 – Likes to keep active by running and walking. Would have played football back in the day.
Dolly, mother, 43 – Still plays GAA. Described as seriously competitive and driven, her own kids won’t even be able to stand in her way
Andrew, son, 20 – Is currently completing a Sports course in Bray IT but wants to be a pro-gamer.
Robert, son, 17 – Just finished 5th Year. Plays GAA.
The McSharry’s – Sligo
Aidan, father, 51 – Runs his own plumbing business in Sligo. Adventurous loves to hike and spend his time outdoors.
Viola, mother, 49 – Has always swam and has encouraged her children to take it up. Very outdoorsy –loves hiking.
Mona, daughter, 18 – Swimming is her passion. Has represented Ireland at an international level and won numerous medals and championships. Hopes to represent Ireland at the Olympics.
Mouric, son, 16 – Like his sister, swims for Ballyshannon Marlins Swim Club has also won gold at a national and international level.
The O’Driscoll’s – Dublin
Patricia, 53, mother – Separated mum of four boys. Patricia has been a member of a gym for over thirty years and believes that exercise is the best thing for mental health.
Seán, 23, son – Loves to go to the gym and has always kept active. He is currently a teacher in his brother’s school. They have nicknamed him ‘Sir’.
Cal, 16, son – Cal has over 40k subsribers on YouTube and 10k followers on Instagram. He is an actor and is currently starring in a BBC drama series. He likes to skateboard and takes part in school sports.
Richie, 14, son – Considered the family’s secret weapon, he is the fastest on the team and plays soccer, GAA and athletics.
The Prendergast’s – Limerick
Josephine, mother, 53 – Josephine grew up on a farm so her family describe her as naturally strong. She runs 10k races with her boys.
David, son, 23 – A Sports Management graduate and 10K runner. Would have a lot of long distance and cross country running.
Mark, son, 20 – Studying in LIT in the same course that David did. He is the coach for the local girls’ soccer team.
Dara, son, 16 – TY student who is soccer mad. Plays for Mungret FC.