Inside GWR editor Craig Glenday's pilgrimage to Ireland as he relives book's origin story
Guinness World Records Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday travelled to Ireland to discover how the book he loves so much first began.
We all know the origin story – a few men out hunting got into a fight over what the fastest game bird is, sparking an idea for a book to settle pub debates.
But Craig wanted to see where it all unfolded with his own eyes.
After more than 20 years documenting the world’s superlatives, and as GWR celebrates its 70th anniversary, there was no better time for this trip down memory lane.
Craig made his pilgrimage to Castlebridge in County Wexford, where a sign as you enter the town proudly declares it’s the “birthplace of Guinness World Records”.
“The history of Guinness World Records can be traced back right here to the North Slob in Wexford,” Craig explained while standing at the site where the idea was born.
“It was here in 1951 that Sir Hugh Beaver [managing director of the Guinness Brewery] was invited to a hunting party and got into an argument – what is the fastest game bird?
The grouse? The plover? The teal? The woodcock? No one knew the answer.
Craig at the North Slob
Looking out over the mud flats, Craig said: “This is where the argument actually happened – this is like hallowed ground.”
Today, the site is the Wexford Wildfowl Reserve, which is partly funded by the brewery.
Entering Castlebridge House
The evening of that all-important debate, Sir Hugh was invited to dinner at Castlebridge House, a building that now sadly stands unused and dilapidated.
Craig explained: “There after dinner, the debate once again arose – which is the fastest game bird in Europe?
“Sir Hugh must have been really irked about missing whatever he was shooting at.
Despite the library being very vast and full of what Sir Hugh described as ‘very expensive books’, no one could find a solution to the question.
“Sir Hugh then had this moment of clarity and thought up and down the country, there’ll be people arguing in pubs and bars, and what we need is some kind of reference book that you keep behind the bar that will solve the problem, settle the arguments and turn that heat of argument into the light of knowledge.”
And the rest is history!
Craig was given special access to go inside the house and explore.
Armed with a torch, he worked his way through the rooms to see if he could find the library where Sir Hugh had stood all those years ago.
“This is a really important part of Guinness World Records history,” Craig said giddily as he wandered around the hallowed halls of the once-glorious residence.
“What’s amazing is that we’ve got this origin story, and it’s always been that, it’s been like a myth or a legend to me all the years I’ve been at Guinness World Records.
Was this the Castlebridge House library?
So it’s really special to be in the place where it happened – it’s a real thing, it’s a real place. This is where the book was born.
While he was in town, Craig of course oversaw a new record attempt.
An amazing 2,516 people came together at Chadwicks Wexford Park to form the largest tin whistle ensemble, beating the previous record of 1,015 that had stood since 2010.
But enough of looking back, now we’re looking to the future!
And it’s your turn to Be Part of It.
GWR70: Be Part of It isn't really about Guinness World Records… it’s about people like you - ordinary people who, as well as leading busy and full lives, have set themselves a goal, however big or small, and are working towards achieving it.
We're hoping to reach more future record breakers than ever before, so they too can experience the joy and excitement of attempting and participating in a record-breaking challenge, and maybe even the elation of one day becoming a Guinness World Records title holder. When it comes to record breaking, nothing beats taking part.
Find out more about our 70th anniversary and how you can Be Part of It here.