Thousands of secondary school students from Co Kildare have attempted to create a new world record at the Curragh Racecourse this afternoon by forming a human St Brigid’s Cross.
Up to 4,000 students took part hoping to set the record for the most amount of people ever to make a living St Brigid’s Cross formation.
The pupils, from 18 secondary schools, carried out the attempt in collaboration with tourism board Into Kildare and Solas Bhríde Centre and Hermitages for the second annual Pause for Peace movement to celebrate St Brigid’s day.
Pause for Peace is a global, rolling initiative where a minute’s silence is held at midday on St Brigid’s Day around the world to acknowledge suffering and injustices.
70 ‘Peace Ambassadors’ have been selected from the participating schools.
Excitement is building at the Cuarragh Racecourse as up to 4,000 secondary students from Kildare are attempting to create a world record for the most people to make a living St Brigids cross formation #PauseForPeace #Brigid1500 pic.twitter.com/J0oYojO689
— Gail Conway (@gailconwaymedia) February 1, 2024
Their role is to promote and speak about the Pause for Peace movement and to be involved in various environmental, sustainable and climate change activations which reflect the cornerstone of the patron saint of Kildare, St Brigid.
Eve Corrigan, aged 16, from Kildare Town Community School, said: “I think what we’re trying to promote here today is peace and love for all, and equality and social justice because that’s what’s really important to us as Peace Ambassadors.
“These are all values St Brigid held close to her and I think its really important for her 1500 anniversary that we keep promoting these values in our everyday lives.”
Eleanor Steed, 16, from Cross and Passion College in Kilcullen, said: “I think as a Peace Ambassador its really important that we promote St Brigid’s values, be that peace, environmental justice, care for the poor and the sick and everything, the kindness she lived her life with, I think wee need to bring that forward in our lives too.”
Aine Sheeran, 16, from Kildare Town Community School, said that as a Peace Ambassador, she is promoting peace within herself, her community and her friends.
17-year-old Victoria Gherorghescu said the message of what they are promoting is in their name: “Peace Ambassador.”
“But it’s also about spreading awareness overall and about St Brigid, her values as a woman and what she contributed to Irish society and culture,” she added.
The Peace Ambassadors are from Ardscoil na Tríonóide, Athy, Clongowes Wood College, Clane, Patrician Secondary School, Newbridge, Cross and Passion College, Kilcullen, Scoil Mhuire Community School, Clane, Holy Family Secondary School, Newbridge, St Wolstan’s Community School, Celbridge, Maynooth Post Primary School, Heywood Community School, Maynooth Community College, St Paul’s Monasterevin, Newbridge College and Kildare Town Community School.
