Happy St Patrick's Day
Today is Saint Patrick's Day in Ireland. They have a great celebration of their parton saint and this is often celebrated around the world, particularly in the USA. We thought we'd join in the festivities by sharing some of our favourite Irish records just for the craic:
Fastest tap dance - most taps in a second
The fastest rate ever measured for tap dancing is 38 taps per second, achieved by James Devine (Ireland) at the MCM recording studios, Sydney, Australia, on 25 May 1998.
Heaviest hoard of coins
The largest hoard of coins in terms of weight is 43 tonnes (96,320 lb) of gold (worth £5 million $23.8 million) recovered from the White Star Liner HMS Laurentic which sank after it struck a mine in 40 m (132 ft) of water off Malin Head, Donegal, Ireland on 25 January 1917.
Largest same name gathering - surname
The world record for the largest same last name gathering involved 1,488 participants with the surname Gallagher at an event held in Letterkenny, Ireland on 9 September 2007.
Largest greeting card
On 3 Dec 1990 at University College, Dublin, Republic of Ireland, a free-standing Christmas card measuring 9 m x 6 m (29.5 ft x 19.7 ft) when closed and was made by a group of students as part of Commerce Day celebrations. When open the card measures 9 m x 12 m (29.52 ft x 39.37 ft). The record attempt helped raise money for new communications equipment for a local clinic.
Youngest player in a Football World Cup tournament
The youngest ever to play in a finals match is Norman Whiteside, who played for Northern Ireland v. Yugoslavia aged 17yr 41days in Zaragoza, Spain, on 17 Jun 1982.
17 March 2008