A NEW world record was set in Gaoth Dobhair yesterday. Two local groups set the world record for the longest Irish language conversation ever- 169 hours.
The groups were from Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge in Gaoth Dobhair and the local Comharchumman- Ionad Naomh Pádraig in Dobhar, Bun Beag.
The world record attempt began last Sunday at midday and it finished at 1 pm yesterday. Comhrá’14 was streamed live on www.snag.ie where 168 hours of Irish language chat can be seen over seven days.
It was launched with a special show on the national Irish language radio station for young people, Raidió Rí-Rá and on the Sheachtain na Gaeilge website.
After the hour long launch, the conversation continued with another 168 hours of Irish language conversation sessions which are being organised by more than 70 groups from every corner of Ireland and the world, non-stop for the seven days.
Brenda Ní Ghairbhí, Bainisteoir Sheachtain na Gaeilge said: “We had been preparing for Comhrá ’14 for the last couple of months
“It was challenging but fun and exciting week for us and all the groups involved and now we have a world record under our belts,” she said.
Among the 70 plus groups registered to take part in the world record attempt, there are schools, voluntary Irish groups, organisation, radio stations, third level Irish societies, sports clubs and groups as far away Scotland, Belgium, France, the Czech Republic, Canada, USA, Australia and even Beijing in China.
There was discussions on a wide range of topics, interviews, music, singing, dancing, literature and even a yoga class as part of the week long conversation.