Guinness World Record for Kildare
Attention all Record Makers! Solas Bhride are delighted to confirm that we have successfully achieved a new GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for “Most people weaving a Brigid’s cross’. Solas Bhride would like to congratulate you on your record-breaking achievement. “You are OFFICIALLY AMAZING.” Solas Bhride has been told to expect an official GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS certificate confirming our world record which is being created and will be sent to Solas Bhride very soon. Certificates For everyone who took part in the successful record attempt, Guinness World Records are offering a Certificate of Participation. They stated in their letter of Confirmation to Solas Bhride that all of the participants in setting the record for most people weaving a Brigid’s cross, can purchase their own official Guinness World Records Certificates of Participation via the Guinness World Records Store. URL: http://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/store Before you access the Guinness World Records store you will need to make contact with Solas Bhride to obtain the Participant verification codes as soon as possible. Solas Bhride contact details: email: info@solasbhride.ie Tel: 045 522890
Solas Bhride enters House of Records
Kildare Town Achieves New World Record Guinness World Records has formally confirmed the new world record for the most people to weave a St. Brigid’s cross at the same time. The record is 357 and it was set at St. Brigid’s parish church in Kildare Town on 21 September 2013. The world record attempt was organised by Solas Bhríde, Cairde Bhríde, Kildare Heritage Centre and local community groups and was part of a week-long Gathering festival celebrating St. Brigid and her legacy, which was sponsored by IPB and supported by Kildare County Council and County Kildare Leader Partnership. The record approval process involved detailed assessment of witnesses, photo and video evidence submitted by Solas Bhride to Guinness World Record assessors. Margaret Walsh of Cáirde Bhríde and Rita Minehan of Solas Bhríde received notice of the success yesterday: “We are absolutely thrilled” said Margaret, “it was such a wonderful day, so many people from Kildare Town, Newbridge, Kill, Nurney, Rathangan and beyond Co. Kildare gathered in the church weaving together, the atmosphere was really very special and it has helped reawaken awareness of the importance of Brigid to our town.” Brigidine Sister, Rita Minehan, thanked all involved in supporting the St. Brigid Gathering festival and the record event “we couldn’t have done it without so much help from those who organised the supplies, all those who volunteered on the day, all those who participated and everyone else who helped along the way to make it happen, they were all wonderful. This is a truly historic moment for Kildare.” said Rita. She also went on to say that the World Record Certificate will hang proudly on the walls of the new purpose built Spirituality Centre, Solas Bhride Centre and Hermitages, which is presently under construction and due to open in Kildare Town, in Spring 2014. A new category for the weaving of St. Brigid’s cross was created by Guinness World Records earlier this year, on foot of an application by Solas Bhríde and Cairde Bhríde of Kildare Town. This confirmation of the record of 357 marks the first approved entry in this new category and further challenges are awaited.
World Record Attempt in Weaving St. Brigid’s crosses
Participants are counted as they enter St. Brigid’s Church for Record attempt. (Left) Steward Michael McWey distributes the rushes. (Right) MC Maeve Mahon gives instructions before the weaving can begin. The weaving begins! Participants proudly hold aloft their completed crosses in St. Brigid’s church and later in the Market Square in Kildare Town around St.Brigid Flame. The Record attempt took place in Kildare Town on Saturday, September 21st. The Evidence has been submitted to Guinness World Records and all eagerly await confirmation of the Record.
Kildare Town Attempts World Record Challenge
Today hundreds of people gathered at St. Brigid’s parish church in Kildare Town to set the world record for the most people to weave a St. Brigid’s cross at the same time in the same location. The world record attempt was organised by Solas Bhríde, Cairde Bhríde, Kildare Heritage Centre and local community groups and was part of a week-long Gathering festival celebrating St. Brigid and her legacy. Weaving of crosses took place inside the church and the record attempt finished with a procession of participants into the Town Square led by piper, David Usher. Participants held their Brigid’s crosses high in celebration. At the close of events, an elated Rita Minehan of Solas Bhríde thanked all involved and spoke of how “the spirit of Brigid lives on in Kildare Town today”. She said that Brigid was “renowned as a woman of extraordinary faith, a spiritual leader, a woman of the land, an advocate of the poor, a peacemaker and a woman of legendary hospitality who is still relevant today. The beautiful procession of crosses in her name is a fabulous reminder of this to us all.” The ‘most people to weave a St. Brigid’s cross at the same time’ category was created by Guinness World Records earlier this year, on foot of an application by Solas Bhríde and Cairde Bhríde of Kildare Town. Today’s gathering of people in St. Brigid’s parish church marks the first attempt to set this record. The next stage is for Guinness World Records to inspect all witness, photo and video evidence submitted by the organisers. If approved, then the record will enter the Guinness House of Records which would be regarded as a significant achievement for all in Kildare Town. It is also thought likely to spark other community groups to come together in the years ahead to challenge the record, watch this space!
St. Brigid of Kildare Gathering Festival Opened by the Mayor of Kildare
A large crowd gathered in Kildare Town on Sunday, September 15h to celebrate the opening of the St. Brigid of Kildare Gathering festival which was officially opened by the Mayor of Kildare Mark Wall. Mayor of Kildare Mark Wall offered “ a special céad míile fáilte to all those named Brigid” and also mentioned all those with an affinity to St Brigid who travelled from near and far to participate in the event. In addressing the crowd, he acknowledged that “Kildare Town can trace its culture, heritage and history back to the 5th Century and is intrinsically linked with Brigid”. The opening ceremony included Irish dancing set from the girls of Scoil Rince Cill Dara and traditional music from the Rambling Boys. The festival involves a week- long celebration of St. Brigid and her legacy and runs from Sunday 15th September to Saturday 21st September. The festival will see large numbers of visitors to Kildare Town to celebrate the story of Brigid and enjoy music, dance, workshops, readings and pilgrimages. The highlight of the week is expected to be the final day attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the most people to weave St. Brigid’s crosses at the same time. Registration for the world record challenge is available in person through Solas Bhríde or Kildare Heritage Centre or online at www.solasbhride.ie and by post using the postcard registration form, which was delivered to all homes in Kildare Town over the past few weeks. A cover charge of €5 applies (€3 for students) and a limited number of registrations will be available on the day of the event. To ensure the attempt meets the strict Guinness World Record criteria, participants not already familiar with weaving crosses are asked to attend one of the open (free) practice workshops – which operate on a ‘drop in’ basis. Details of workshops on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday are listed on the programme of events which is available from www.solasbhride.ie. A drop in practice workshop is also running next Saturday morning at Kildare Town Library from 9.30 to 12.30.
St. Brigid of Kildare Gathering Festival to be Opened by the Mayor of Kildare
The St. Brigid of Kildare Gathering festival is to be officially opened by the Mayor of Kildare on Sunday. Mayor Mark Wall will be in attendance at 2pm on Sunday at the Town Square where he will welcome overseas visitors, visitors from around the country and residents of Kildare Town to the first St. Brigid of Kildare Gathering Festival. The opening event promises to be a very enjoyable afternoon for all the family with a dance performance from the children of Scoil Rince Cill Dara, and plenty of music and celebration. The festival involves a week- long celebration of St. Brigid and her legacy and runs from Sunday 15th September to Saturday 21st September. The festival will see large numbers of visitors to Kildare Town to celebrate the story of Brigid and enjoy music, dance, workshops, readings and pilgrimages. Sr. Phil O’Shea of Solas Bhríde said they were delighted that many groups from Kildare Town were involved in organising events over the course of the week “between the Curragh Racecourse, The National Stud, Kildare Heritage Centre, Kildare Town Library and many others, almost everyone is getting involved in some way or another, we are thrilled”. The highlight of the week is expected to be the final day attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the most people to weave St. Brigid’s crosses at the same time in the same location. Registration for the world record challenge is available in person through Solas Bhríde or Kildare Heritage Centre or online at www.solasbhride.ie and by post using the postcard registration form, which was delivered to all homes in Kildare Town over the past few weeks. A limited number of registrations will be available on the day of the event. A cover charge of €5 applies (Students €3) and to ensure the attempt meets the strict Guinness World Record criteria, participants are asked to attend one of the practice workshop scheduled for the Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday of festival week if they are not already familiar with weaving a Brigid’s cross. Contact for enquiries: Mary Minehan / Phil O’Shea, Solas Bhríde 045 522 890 / info@solasbhride.ie
Registration Underway for Kildare Town World Record Challenge
Registration is underway for participation in the Kildare Town attempt to set the Guinness World Record for the most people to weave St. Brigid’s crosses at the same time in the same location. Registrations are flowing in from all around the county and from around Ireland and overseas. The challenge is scheduled for the final day of a week- long celebration of St. Brigid that runs from Sunday 15th September to Saturday 21st September. The St. Brigid of Kildare Gathering festival will see large numbers of visitors to Kildare Town to celebrate the story of Brigid and enjoy music, dance, workshops, readings and pilgrimages. Doors open for the Guinness World Record challenge at 2.00pm on Saturday 21st September at St. Brigid’s parish church in Kildare Town. Doors will close at 2.45 pm Advance registration is available in person through Solas Bhride or Kildare Heritage Centre or online at www.solasbhride.ie and by post using the postcard registration form which was delivered to all homes in Kildare Town over the past few weeks. A limited number of registrations will be available on the day of the event. A participation cover charge of €5 applies. Commenting on the registration process, Sr. Rita Minehan of Solas Bhríde stated that “the Guinness World Record criteria for qualification are very strict, we have to ensure that our cross weaving success rate is higher than 95% or we will be disqualified, this means that anyone that is not already familiar with weaving a St. Brigid’s cross will need to attend a practice workshop in advance of the record attempt.” Practice workshops will be running on the Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday coming up to the event, workshop details from www.solasbhride.ie.
Kildare Town plans a Guinness World Record as it welcomes visitors from around the world 2013
Groups from Kildare Town came together last week at a momentum event in Teach Dara to support Solas Bhríde in planning a Guinness Book of Records event to set the world record for the most people making Brigid’s crosses together at the one time. The attempt is planned for the final day of a week- long celebration of St. Brigid that runs from Sunday 15th September to Saturday 21st September. The event will see large numbers of visitors to Kildare Town to celebrate the story of Brigid, ranging from visitors / pilgrims from around the world to other tourists from other parts of Ireland and overseas. In welcoming groups to the momentum event, Mary Keane of County Kildare LEADER Partnership explained that in addition to preparing for a very special Gathering event, the Partnership is actively supporting this project because of its practical application in developing an integrated tourism strategy for Kildare Town and surrounding communities for many future events and projects. Mary spoke of how “Brigid spread her cloak over the Curragh and empowered the local people all those centuries ago and through this event she will inspire another generation.” Sr. Rita Minehan of Solas Bhríde shared details of the upcoming event including the need for large numbers of volunteers in steward, witness and other support roles: “the Guinness Book of Records requirements are very significant and we will need support from across the community to make this happen” noted Sr. Rita. Peter Minnock, Director of Services with Kildare County Council together with Tony Jones, Fáilte Ireland, Derek Dolan, Kildare Fáilte and Tom McCutcheon, Kildare Heritage Centre were in attendance and each shared their support for the project and their expectation that it would be a tremendous Gathering flagship event for Kildare Town: “I know that if anyone can take on something as significant as this it is the Sisters” said Tony Jones addressing the group, “they have the charm and the foresight to make this happen”. The event was also attended by representatives from other groups involved in supporting the Guinness world record event and in organising other events that week which will include a number of music and dance events, walks, pilgrimages, craft demonstrations and craft workshops, each linking to the legacy of St. Brigid.
The Gathering
St. Brigid of Kildare Gathering A Gathering Festival in Honour of St. Brigid 15 to 21 September 2013 Come to Kildare Town, Ireland this September and take part in setting a Guinness Book of Records world record in weaving St. Brigid’s crosses You are invited to come to Kildare Town this September for the St. Brigid of Kildare Gathering Festival. There will be a special welcome “Céad Míle Fáilte” to those named Brigid and those who have variations of the name. We also welcome people from around the world who have an affinity with St. Brigid through parishes, associations, churches and place names, to visitors from Ireland and overseas with an interest in Brigid and her legacy. The festival is being organised by Solas Bhríde in collaboration with a number of other Kildare based groups and is part of the overall Government supported Gathering Festival 2013. In addition to a Guinness Book of Records challenge at which we hope to involve all visitors in setting the record for the most people to weave St. Brigid’s crosses, there will be a packed programme of music and dance events in addition to walks, pilgrimages, craft demonstrations and craft workshops, each linking to Brigid and her legacy. We are just 1.5 hours drive from Dublin airport and 2 hours from Shannon airport and a range of accommodation options are listed on each of www.intokildare.ie and www.discoverireland.ie. More information on what to do in Kildare Town is available from www.destinationkildaretown.ie and also http://www.kildare.ie/kildareheritage/. You are assured of a very warm welcome in Kildare Town this September and a truly memorable experience celebrating the life of St. Brigid. Please get in touch if you have any questions and we very much hope to see you in September. Events will include: Official Opening & Celebration of St. Brigid * Guinness Book of Records Challenge * Re-enactment of the Legend of the Cloak of St. Brigid Concert in St. Brigid’s Cathedral (€) Celtic Music Recital (€) Harvest Gathering at St. Brigid’s Well Literary Event Guided Tour of the Monastic City of Kildare Walking in the Footsteps of Brigid of Kildare/ Pilgrimage Guided Tour of the Curragh Plains / St. Brigid Pastures Weaving of Brigid’s Cross – Craft Workshop Craft Workshop: Weaving of Brigid’s Cross Craft Participation: Weaving of Wall Hanging Craft Exhibitions Trad Music / Entertainment in local pubs * Click here for the provisional programme of events Tickets for all events other than those marked * to be booked directly with event hosts Unless marked (€) events are free of charge Events marked * are open access, no tickets or charges apply All events subject to change, additional events to be added Event listings last updated: 1 May 2013, please check latest information in July for event bookings
