The cold waters of Cork Harbour, the imposing presence of an Irish Naval Service patrol ship and the prospect of hauling yourself out of the sea by rope might not sound like the most inviting way to spend a Sunday afternoon, but they provide the spectacular setting for the return of one of RTÉ’s most enduring family entertainment programmes this weekend.

Ireland’s Fittest Family begins its 14th series on Sunday, November 1, with Haulbowline Naval Base taking centre stage as the competition once again brings together families from across the country, guided by some of Ireland’s best-known sporting personalities.

The move to Haulbowline is part of a broader refresh of a format that has retained its appeal by combining genuine physical competition with the personalities, rivalries and family dynamics that can turn a demanding obstacle course into compelling television.

Laura Fox returns as presenter, while the six coaches are drawn from across rugby, Gaelic games, swimming and camogie, with Anna Geary, Donncha O’Callaghan, Davy Fitzgerald, Ellen Keane, Michael Darragh MacAuley and defending champion Andrew Trimble all returning.

Their sporting backgrounds add an important part of the programme’s character, but the chance to see families compete together, with all the encouragement, frustration and occasional chaos that comes with it, has kept the show on schedules for more than a decade.

The first three weeks will be filmed against the backdrop of the Naval Base in Cork Harbour, where members of the Irish Navy demonstrate the challenges before the families complete them.

The opening episode introduces Raft Rage, which begins in the cold waters of the naval basin and culminates in a rope climb from the sea onto a patrol ship, before competitors take on Buoyzone, a test of balance, coordination, and teamwork as they try to transport buoys across the water using paddle boards.

For those who find themselves at the bottom of the standings, the Navy Eliminator will offer little prospect of an easy escape, with a jump from a ship, the carrying of a rigid-hulled inflatable boat and a climb over giant pneumatic fenders all standing between the families and the familiar walls and ramps of the final section.

It promises to be a visually striking opening to a series that will subsequently move to the muddy terrain of Hell and Back in Wicklow for the quarter-finals, the industrial surroundings of Drogheda Port for the semi-finals and the sweeping landscape of Avondale House, complete with its Treetop Walk and Viewing Tower, for the grand final.

The eventual winners will claim the title of Ireland’s Fittest Family and a €15,000 prize.

In the first episode, camogie legend Anna Geary takes charge of the McCourt family from Cork and the Tierney family from Galway, while former Ireland and Ulster rugby international Andrew Trimble guides the Ó Cathasaigh family from Dublin and the McGilligan family from Derry.

Each family has a strong sporting pedigree. The McCourts bring international athletics and hockey experience. The Tierneys and McGilligans have strong hurling and camogie traditions. The Ó Cathasaighs have strong connections with Kilmacud Crokes and Dublin intercounty teams.

The Dublin family includes senior intercounty camogie player Róisín Ó Cathasaigh and Dublin hurler Cian, while their father, Conor, made his own hurling debut for Crokes at 54 and has a strong Limerick connection.

For the McGilligans, Gaelic games are complemented by marathon running and HYROX, while the Galway-based Tierneys bring together generations of sporting involvement across hurling, camogie and a variety of school sports.

Only three of the four families will emerge from the opening episode with their ambitions of progressing to Wicklow intact.

Alan Tyler, RTÉ Group Head of Entertainment and Music, believes the combination of family competition and sporting personalities continues to give the series a special appeal.

“Ireland’s Fittest Family is a brilliantly smart and much-loved format which continues to unite audiences. We are delighted to have it back on screen as Laura and our terrific coaches, once again, put incredible families from all over Ireland through their paces.”

Produced for RTÉ by Kite and Allkind Media, the series also continues its commercial relationship with Londis, whose sponsorship places the convenience retail brand alongside a programme built around family, community, physical activity and friendly rivalry.

 

Sport for Business Perspective

Ireland’s Fittest Family shows the enduring value of sport-inspired entertainment that doesn’t rely on expensive live competition rights.

The coaches provide sporting authenticity, the families bring their own local communities and stories into the programme, and the physical challenges create moments of drama that viewers can readily understand, regardless of their knowledge of any particular sport.

This combination also works well commercially, particularly for a sponsor such as Londis, whose neighbourhood retail presence can naturally align with the community and family themes running through the series.

And perhaps especially for Head Coach Davy Fitzgerald, who developed the original concept and still owns the format.

Ireland’s Fittest Family returns on Sunday, November 1, at 6.30pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.

 

 

RTÉ is a full member of the Sport for Business community of sporting, business and state organisations.

If you would like to join the Sport for Business community and see your organisation in our content, on our stages, and in the daily conversation around the commercial world of Irish Sport, email us today and let’s see what is possible.

Image Credit: RTÉ

 

ABOUT SPORT FOR BUSINESS

Sport for Business is Ireland’s leading platform focused on the commercial, strategic and societal impact of sport. It connects decision-makers across governing bodies, clubs, brands, agencies, and public institutions through high-quality content, events, and insights.

Sport for Business explores how sport drives economic value, participation, inclusion and national identity, and how your story can be part of ours.

Through analysis, storytelling and convening the sector, it helps leaders understand trends, share best practices, and make better-informed decisions. It positions sport not just as entertainment but as a vital contributor to Ireland’s social and economic fabric.

Find out more about becoming a member today.

Or sign up for our Daily Sport for Business Snapshot email bulletins to get a flavour of the material we cover.

Sign up for our News Bulletins here.