The organisers of Tedfest and the London Irish Comedy Festival have announced a competition for new Irish comedians, the Toilet Duck London Award.

16 of the funniest new Irish comedians will compete in a comedy duel on July 11 until there's just one left standing. The victor will walk away with the spoils of battle: a paid gig at the London Irish Comedy Festival in October and a beautiful Toilet Duck trophy.

Tedfest is the annual Father Ted fan convention held on the island of Inishmore, off the coast of County Galway, Ireland. The festival has been running since 2007 and this year stages its first Tedfest London on July 12 at the London Irish Centre – the event is described as a “One-Day Pop Tart”.

The Toilet Duck London Award pays homage to the many Irish comedians that were cast in Father Ted, including; Dermot Morgan, Ardal O’ Hanlon, Pauline McLynn, Graham Norton, Tommy Tiernan, Patrick McDonnell, Joe Rooney, Jason Byrne, Pat Shortt and Ed Byrne. The London Irish Comedy Festival showcases the wealth of emerging and established Irish comedic talent in the UK.

16 finalists will be chosen to go head to head at the London Irish Centre on the eve of Tedfest London. The knock out battle will be hosted by Colum McDonnell, who has toured with Ardal O’Hanlon, Jason Byrne and Colin Murphy and has performed on Paramount Comedy Channel's The World Stands Up.

Acts wanting to apply should send a short summary (500 words) or CV outlining their stand-up/comedy experience and a short video clip of themselves performing to [email protected] by June 6. Finalists must be free to take part in Toilet Duck London on July 11 at the London Irish Centre in Camden. Expenses will not be covered, but all finalists will get a ticket to Tedfest London on  July 12 at the same venue. The third London Irish Comedy Festival will be held from October 10 - 12, 2014.