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Fleadh record attempt supported by Wexford town where Guinness World Records were born

The Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford will feature a world record attempt including a group that hails from the birthplace of the Guinness World Records, Castlebridge. At last year's Fleadh Cheoil, the Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Fleadh group successfully set a world record for a tin whistle ensemble, with over 2,000 people taking part. Advertisement This year's attempt will take place at Wexford Park, and it will look to set a Céili Band ensemble record. A group called Castlebridge Inspire, which celebrates the town's status as the birthplace of the Guinness Book of Records, will be involved in facilitating the ambitious attempt. John Ryan, who runs Castlebridge Inspire, told : "Last year we did the tin whistle ensemble Guinness World Record, the CEO Craig Glenday was over adjudicating on that one, we needed 1,015 and we got 2,516 in the end. "We had to play a couple of songs for five minutes. That was probably one of the biggest ensembles at any Fleadh to to date, and it was also the first Fleadh official Guinness World Record attempt. Advertisement "It was so successful that we've decided to do another one this year. This one is the Céilí Band ensemble which will take place on August 7th at Chadwick's Wexford Park. The record to beat this year is 386 participants so that's what the goal is. There are three polkas pre-arranged to play for five minutes, we'll have some dancers, we have 15 different instruments for the record attempt. "This includes banjos, guitars and even a harp, along with the likes of the bodhran." A small town with less than 2,000 residents, Castlebridge is the birthplace of the world famous Guinness World Records. Mr Ryan shared the story of how the records are traced back to the Wexford town. Advertisement Members of Castlebridge Inspire. "We're Castlebridge Inspire, so our vision is to bring the story of the birthplace, to connect that with the world. It's an important story, it all started with an argument. "On November 10th, 1951, the CEO of Guinness was in Wexford in Castlebridge House. They had been hunting down in the Sloblands and they came back and had an argument about what was the fastest game bird in the world. They couldn't resolve that argument so the Guinness boss decided we need a book to sort out these arguments of fact. "That's how the idea was born, and that's how we lay claim to it in Castlebridge. "From an argument, came a book which has gone on to inspire millions of people around the world. In some ways it was the Google of that time. Advertisement "In the 90s when the internet start, the books started to change. Up until that point, it was the go-to. "We celebrate the Castlebridge argument and we have created the rules of arguing here. Two important rules are number 9: Every argument must end in an inspiration, number 10: You must celebrate the argument, don't go off angry, something good can come from it." Mr Ryan said the history of Castlebridge's reputation as a centre of knowledge can be traced much further back than the Guinness World Record origins in 1951. The Fleadh Cheoil means so much to the community. We're all in this together so everyone is focused on the objective. "St Ibar built his monastry in Castlebridge parish in the fifth century in Beggerin, that was pre-Patrician. Then in the 19th century one of Daniel O'Connell's reading rooms was set up in the town. That was all about the education of people, the newspapers and encyclopaedias of the time. Advertisement "The reading room in Castlebridge is now the last reading room in Ireland. Guinness donated it to the community in 1980. "The argument in 1951 led to another great book. There is something about Castlebridge when it comes to books, knowledge and outcomes, and there are amazing local storytellers. "As we move into the age of AI, we're at an important junction in human history and we believe Castelbridge, the birthplace of the Guinness Book of Records, will have a role in solutions for the new world. "All the record holders are always welcome in Castlebridge as the birthplace of the book, so they're always welcome here to tell their story and inspire future record breakers." The reading room in Castlebridge is now the last reading room in Ireland. Returning to Thursday's record attempt, he said a number of groups will be involved in trying to make it a success. "There are different people involved at different levels. Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil will have there name on the record and they are running it, Wexford County Council is providing resources, Wexford GAA is providing the venue and helping with logistics, and then there are the volunteers. "Our role is liaising with Guinness World Records to make sure it is an official record, we handle the registrations, the communications. "There is a little bit of nervousness, but after last year;s success there are fewer unknowns, and we remember the emotions of what we achieved last year. "The Comhaltas Fleadh Cheoil group has to be recognised for it's achievement in the second world record so close to the birthplace of Castlebridge. "The Fleadh Cheoil means so much to the community. We're all in this together so everyone is focused on the objective."