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.
