On this week’s episode, we’re joined by Arthur Mathews, one of Ireland’s most celebrated comedy writers and the co-creator of Father Ted, a man who somehow turned priests, crazy golf and Craggy Island into television history. Arthur’s route into comedy was anything but straightforward. From growing up on a farm in County Meath and working at Hot Press, to playing drums, creating the legendary Joshua Trio and even applying for the Manchester United manager’s job, comedy was never exactly the plan. As Arthur puts it himself, he simply “drifted into it.” In this fascinating and very funny conversation, Arthur takes us behind the scenes of Father Ted, revealing how his priest uncles helped inspire the show, how Dermot Morgan, Ardal O’Hanlon, Frank Kelly and Pauline McLynn came to be part of it, and why Father Stone is his favourite episode. We talk about his time writing for British comedy shows, and his later collaboration with Matt Berry on Toast of London. Arthur explains the strange world of Steven Toast, the origins of Clem Fandango, his love of surreal and visual comedy, and even hints that there might be more Toast to come. There’s also I Keano, Arthur’s love of football and Drogheda United, a comedy western, a possible musical or two and Arthur’s adventures with petrol and matches. Funny, fascinating and full of stories, it’s a brilliant conversation with one of the great Irish comedy minds. 

We’d like to offer a special word of thanks to Drogheda United’s number one fan, Johnny McEvoy, and Eamonn Murtagh for helping make this interview with Arthur possible.

Let Christy Take It are proud to bring you Arthur Mathews.

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Photograph Credit Dara Mac Dónail

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