Hail glorious St Patrick’s in Kilrush

THE heart of Kilrush was transformed into a sea of green on St Patrick’s Day as more than 200 people dressed as our patron saint gathered in an attempt to set not one but two world records. THE heart of Kilrush was transformed into a sea of green on St Patrick’s Day as more than 200 people dressed as our patron saint gathered in an attempt to set not one but two world records.
Organisers were confident that the luck of the Irish was with them that day and that they succeeded in their record-breaking attempts.
Town Councillor Ian Lynch, the event organiser, said that the event was originally put together to try to add an extra bit of atmosphere to the St Patrick’s Day parade and to draw extra numbers to Kilrush for the day.
They secured 200 St Patrick’s costumes and urged people to come along in a bid to set the world record for the highest number of St Patricks in one area.
“We had 207 official St Patricks gathered in the square by 1.10pm on St Patrick’s Day; in order to set the world record we needed to have a minimum of 200.
“We actually had over 250 people turn up to take part but unfortunately the rules set by Guinness were quite strict and we could not accept all the St Patricks. Once we gathered for 15 minutes we had set a new record,” he said.
He explained that they now have to send all the information to Guinness for official confirmation that they have broken the record.
“There is a huge amount of information required; each participant had to sign in and be inspected by two independent witnesses and counter-signed that they were satisfied with their attire.
“We also had to get two more independent witnesses to oversee the whole proceedings and also video record the event as well as photograph things. It is quite a lot of work but we are confident our efforts will be approved by Guinness,” he said.
It wasn’t just one record attempt being made in Kilrush on the day.
“Once we had everyone gathered we then set about a second world record as 202 St Patricks set off on a 5k run around the scenic coast and back to the square in Kilrush, it was such an atmosphere and it set the day up for what turned out to be one of the busiest St Patrick’s Days in Kilrush in a long time,” he said.
It may have been a five-kilometre run but it stretched all the way to the USA. “We also were approached by an American company, called World Run, that organise virtual runs all over the world and the Kilrush 5k was run by 67 participant in the US to raise money for their own charities, raising 350 dollars,” explained Ian.
He praised everybody involved in making the event such a success, saying, “Everyone in Kilrush should be very proud of themselves. This was about bringing people together and strengthening community.
“If people wanted this record they had to turn up and take part, the event was about bringing positivity to the town and showing that if we work together we can archive so much.
“It will take six weeks once all the required information is sent to Guinness but everyone had so much fun that it made the day a success.
Ian thanked all who had put their support to the project.
“We had hoped to raise money for this year’s Féile Sona family festival, which takes place from July 1-3 but the suits were so expensive that we just about broke even. But it’s great to have events for the family to enjoy in town,” he added.
“This year’s parade was the biggest and most successful seen in a long time in Kilrush and credit is due to the organisers Noel Ryan and Kearn Clancy.
“The fun family event was such a success that plans are already underway for the next one.
“We are now planning our next family day the Sunday before Easter, where we will be holding an Easter egg hunt, a fun day and a family walk/run.”