Watch Ireland's Fittest Family on RTÉ One on Sundays at 6.30pm. Catch up on RTÉ Player.
With an exciting shake-up to the format, new star coaches, adrenaline-pumping challenges, and stunning new locations, this promises to be the most competitive series of Ireland's Fittest Family yet.
For the first time, the series welcomes three new coaches to the fold. Paralympic swimming champion Ellen Keane, former Dublin GAA star Michael Darragh, and Irish rugby legend Andrew Trimble will join Anna Geary, Donncha O'Callaghan and reigning Fittest Family Champ Davy Fitzgerald for Series 13.
Taking place in the rugged Gormanston Army camp, the Heats will unfold over the first three weeks. This week it's the turn of rugby stars Donncha O’Callaghan and Andrew Trimble – each with two families.
Donncha's Teams
Donncha has the Hickey family from Dublin and the Linehan family from Cork.
The Hickeys
The Hickeys from Dublin are a close family of four siblings. All four of them live together on the site of their former childhood home in Malahide, which they knocked in order to build four homes where they all live with their families. With 10 children between them, they are a fit, competitive family and enjoy exercising together.
44-year-old Cindy was the one who applied for the show. She is an avid runner and is a member of the Clonliffe Harriers. She is a teacher and a mother to four children, including Connor.
Young Conor is just 14 years old and loves hurling. He is an avid runner and does ParkTun most weeks. He even represented his school in the Leinster Cross Country.
Cindy's brother, Jody, is 40 years old and has played hurling most of his life and still plays for his local club. He loves running and will often be seen at Park Run. He has two kids.
Sister to Cindy and Jody, Ruby is 42 years old and a mother to three children. Much like Cindy, she is a teacher, an avid runner, and a part of the Clonliffe Harriers - Ruby and Cindy often go running together.
The Linehans
The Linehan family from Cork are a very sporty family. They are all ultra competitive and The Family Fantasy League is a hotly contested event every week. Dad Diarmaid will be competing with his three children.
Although he is a Paediatric Dentist by trade, 58-year-old Diarmaid is golf-obsessed. Not only are he and his wife, Brid, big golfers, but he is currently coaching and managing the Munster Golf team for the upcoming interprovincial series in July.
Sean is 19 years old and the oldest of the kids. He is mainly into MMA and competes in events regularly. He is currently studying Business in UCC college.
At 18 years of age, Aoibhe is studying for her Leaving Cert. An avid gym goer, she says she loves Camogie and Soccer, and has represented Cork at underage Soccer level and plays for Blarney United u19s.
Ruairi is 16 years old and the youngest of the team. He plays hurling and soccer and is an ace at
table tennis.
Andrew's Teams
Andrew has the McKenna family from Monaghan and the Hilliard family from Kildare.
The McKennas
The McKenna family are a very active family who love playing sports. They live in Corraghbrack, Co. Monaghan.
47-year-old Sharon is a mother of four children, three of whom are competing with her. Although she works in sales, she loves staying active and often competes in adventure racing, cycling, and Hyrox, as well as running.
At 21, Caolan is Sharon's eldest son. He is a qualified electrician and runs a sheep farm where he owns over 150 sheep. He enjoys GAA and clay shooting, and insists that he is in it to win it.
19-year-old Cormac is the second eldest and is currently undergoing an electrician apprenticeship. He loves Gaelic football and puts his heart and soul into it. He also enjoys clay pigeon shooting and fishing.
Cailin is just 17 years of age and is in her first year in tech, studying Construction and the Built Environment. She plays Gaelic football and takes up boxing during the off-season. She enjoys gardening and clay shooting, too.
The Hillards
The Hilliard family hail from Kildare and enjoy the outdoors, whether it be running, trekking, taking to trails, or sea swimming. Mel will be competing with his three girls, all of whom enjoy working out at our local gym and volunteering at numerous sporting events, in particular, at the Dublin marathon and race series.
Mel is 56 and the Dad of the family. He has been involved in athletics from a young age. He spent four years on an athletics scholarship at Iona College, New Rochelle, in the US. As well as competing at master's level, he's been registrar, secretary and chairperson of Metropolitan Harriers and St. Brigids Athletic Club (MSB A.C.).
Eldest daughter Alannah is 27 years old and works as a primary school teacher. She has played Gaelic football for her local club, Sarfields, and run a half-marathon.
25-year-old Julia competed numerous times in the secondary school volleyball All-Ireland championship finals. She has also played volleyball for her local club in Newbridge and has run a half-marathon while in Vancouver, Canada.
Youngest daughter Ellen is 23 and loves running and the gym. She once captained her secondary school team to win the All-Ireland volleyball championship and played volleyball for the local volleyball club in Newbridge.
Watch Ireland's Fittest Family on RTÉ One on Sundays at 6.30pm. Catch up on RTÉ Player.
