Ireland: Brigidine Sisters rise to challenge for Guinness Book of Records

Participants hold Brigid crosses high around St Brigid’s Flame in Kildare Market Square

Hundreds gathered the ancient Irish monastic town of 5th century Saint Brigid of Kildare, on Saturday 21 September 2013, 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 event was organised by Brigidine sisters at Solas Bhríde and Cairde Bhríde (friends of Brigid) Kildare Heritage Centre and local community groups. The event was part of a week-long Gathering festival celebrating the 5th century saint and her legacy. Weaving of crosses took place inside the church and the record attempt finished with a procession into the Town Square led by piper, David Usher. Participants held their Brigid’s crosses high in celebration.

At the close of events, Sister Rita Minehan of Solas Bhríde thanked all involved and spoke of how “the spirit of Brigid lives on in Kildare Town today.” She said “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, following an application by Solas Bhríde and Cairde Bhríde of Kildare Town.

Saturday'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 witnesses, photo and video evidence submitted by the organisers. If approved, then the record will enter the Guinness House of Records which will be a significant achievement for Kildare Town. It will spark other community groups to come together in the years ahead to challenge the record!

For more information see: www.solasbhride.ie