Ever fancied taking on a fitness challenge with your family? The latest season of RTE’s ‘The Fittest Family’, now in its thirteenth year, is putting family bonds and endurance to the ultimate test, and this time features the McKenna family from Emyvale, Co. Monaghan.
After making their way successfully through the preliminary round at Gormanstown Army Camp, the McKenna family featuring mum Sharon, sons Caolán and Cormac and daughter Cailín, are in with a fighting chance to be named Ireland’s Fittest Family after successfully making it through to the quarter finals, under the guidance of coach and rugby player Andrew Trimble.
Prior to the quarter finals, the family received a rugby training session with Andrew at Monaghan Rugby Club. This seen the sports mad family solidify their strategy for the quarter finals held in the infamous muddy boglands of Hell and Back, Kilruddery, Co Wicklow.
Sailing through to the semi-finals held at Drogheda Port, the question on everyone’s lips is ‘Will they make it to the finals to collect the prize money of €15,000 and be named Ireland’s Fittest Family 2025’?
Seventeen-year-old Cailín’s lips remained sealed, but this student from Southern Regional College has her strategy firmly mapped out.
The McKenna family with coach and rugby player Andrew Trimble Pictured (L-R): Caolán McKenna, Cailín McKenna, Andrew Trimble, Sharon McKenna and Cormac McKenna
Hoping to win the prize money to put towards finishing touches on the family’s home, this Construction and the Built Environment Level 3 Extended Diploma student is already thinking ahead, with plans on taking up a university course in construction next year.
With her eyes set on a career in construction management or quantity surveying and a job in the pipeline, Cailín has her roadmap for success firmly mapped out. Having submitted her family for the TV series, Cailín’s initiative reflects a drive that will see future success.
Whether the McKennas take the top prize remains to be seen, but it’s clear that their teamwork, resilience and strategic approach have already won the admiration of many. Tune in to RTE at 6:30pm on Sunday to see how the journey unfolds.
