Mrs. Doyle of Craggy Island fame, not the namesake pub in Spain.
As an introduction, here is a quote from the Wikipedia synopsis of the show "Father Ted":
"The show follows the misadventures of three Roman Catholic priests who live in a parish on the fictional Craggy Island, located off the west coast of Ireland. Father Ted Crilly, Father Dougal McGuire and Father Jack Hackett live chaotically together in Craggy Island's parochial house, along with their housekeeper Mrs Doyle, who always wants to serve them tea."
Of all characters, it was Mrs. Doyle, who has proven to be an inspiration in dark times, and the Wikipedia page does not do her justice.
Yes, her tea making skills may be unrivaled in modern English language comedy, leaving the ever brewing Mrs. Bucket from Keeping Up Appearances in the dust of a mild Irish summer day.
But Mrs. Doyle was so much more than a caricature of an elderly Irish housekeeper.
Between a drunk, an intellectually challenged, and a just nice guy trio of priests, she kept the house on the craggy island in shape and never despaired.
When stormy weather on Craggy Island damaged the roof of the parish house, Mrs. Doyle became the honorary roofer.
The camera shots through the parish window of Mrs. Doyle climbing up a ladder outside to repair yet another leak, while the men inside talked alcohol or religion, or both.
The shot of her climbing up was always followed, seconds later, by a shot of her falling off that roof.
Still, she would climb up that ladder again, a Greek tragedy on a small hibernian island.
A K-landnews contributor used to end numerous PowerPoint presentations in front of an Irish audience with the example of Mrs. Doyle.
We try, we fail, we try again, over and over, like Mrs. Doyle.
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