You can wear green all you want, have a pint of Guinness, maybe some Irish Stew or go to a parade, but no St. Patrick’s Day salute would be complete without a trip to Craggy Island and a look back at one of the Irish comedy greats, Father Ted.

Ok, I know it was done by Hat Trick Productions, a British television production company and much of the interior shots were done at The London Studios. But, I will argue that it’s decidedly Irish given the fact that it was written by Irish writers, Graham Linehan and Arthur Mathews and starred Irish-born actors, Dermot Morgan, Ardal O’Hanlon, Frank Kelly and Pauline McLynn. Also, much of the location shooting was done on the Irish mainland.

There were only three seasons of the BAFTA award winning series as, sadly, Dermot Morgan (Father Ted Crilly) died after suffering a heart attack at a dinner party the day after the conclusion of the filming of season three in February 1998.

So, my toast on this St. Patrick’s Day begins and ends with one of the best episodes from the Father Ted series, “Speed 3”.

Father Ted “Speed 3” part 1 of 4

Father Ted “Speed 3” part 2 of 4

Father Ted “Speed 3” part 3 of 4

Father Ted “Speed 3” part 4 of 4

Fortunately, the rumors of an American re-make, with Steve Martin in the lead role of Father Ted Crilly, from a couple of years ago seem to be just that, nothing more than rumors.