Ireland's Fittest Family

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]

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.^[2]

• *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 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]

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]

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 in 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.

Series 6

Applications for the sixth series opened in May 2018. It is understood that, for the first time ever, the four coaches from the previous year, Anna Geary, Davy Fitzgerald, Derval O'Rourke and Donncha O'Callaghan, will return to 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 wins this season will be the first coach to ever win twice. On the 30th July 2018 it was announced that Mairead Ronan would step back as host from this series to give birth to her third child. Kathryn Thomas will replace her as host.^[8]

References