Cork dances its way into history smashing the record for the world's biggest Céilí.
Cork, the European Capital of Culture 2005 has broken the record for the world's biggest Céilí, previously set by Dublin, Ohio in 1998.
Organisers of the event hoped to attract 10,000 people to dance the biggest Siege of Ennis, a popular set dance. After a slow start, Penny Rae of the Triskel Arts Centre was relieved to see the event attract more participants as the day progressed.
With ages ranging from 8-80 years of age, many of those signing up were inexperienced but willing to give Céilí dancing their best shot,
Really looking forward to it, whether I last or not is another thing, but I'm going to try it anyway.
The record attempt spanned seven dance zones, from the Grand Parade to the end of the South Mall, each with its own Céilí band. The countdown into the dance was performed by Lord of the Dance and County Cork resident Michael Flatley.
I’m honoured and delighted to be here and I know they’re going to break it today, I’m just so happy about this, I never saw so many smiling faces in all my life.
Six and a half minutes into the Siege of Ennis, the tally people reported that 8,371 had danced their way into the Guinness Book of Records, 1,580 more than in Dublin, Ohio. One participant was particularly pleased with her newfound fame,
It should be great for the grandchildren to look up and say Nana did the Siege of Ennis in Cork, she’s in the Guinness Book of Records.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 10 September 2005. The reporter is Jennie O Sullivan.
