Aspiring comedy writers are to be given a leg up with a new foundation in memory of Father Tedactor Dermot Morgan, it was announced today.
The Dermot Morgan Foundation, unveiled in Galway during the week-long TedFest and on the 10th anniversary of the comedian's sudden death, will give bursaries to help emerging talent.
Fiona Clarke, Morgan's partner before he died one day after filming the last episode of Father Ted, said he would have been delighted with the foundation. "He knew all too well the struggle of trying to write, work and feed a family," she said.
"I hope that this bursary will give someone that small financial boost that can sometimes make all the difference."
Since the end of the 1970s Morgan was known for his satire on Irish radio and television of the country's political, business and media establishment. He then found international fame for his role of Fr Ted Crilly of the fictional Craggy Island on the Channel 4 series.
Bobby Morgan, his son, said he hoped the foundation would allow other comedians to follow in his father's footsteps in his lampooning of those in power. "I certainly think he'd encourage people to go the satirical route, not to let the establishment off the hook," he said.
The Dermot Morgan Foundation will hold its first fundraising event, An Audience Without Dermot Morgan,on June 9th at the Button Factory in Dublin.
PA