Ardal O'Hanlon

Father Ted star Ardal O'Hanlon reveals he based character traits of the much-loved Fr Dougal McGuire on pet dogs.

God is a very important idea...It’s a very important part of the mythology that we need in our lives.” "People were a bit self-conscious about the way Ireland was represented in England, as we always are... I felt dogs are so upbeat, they are so exuberant, they are so loyal, they are so kind of silly as well.” "There would have been times in my life where I couldn’t really hope and I don’t want to be overdramatic about that. “I did an audition for Father Ted and I got it, to my surprise. ‘Play to for real’, that was always the thing.