Pictures: Cork town breaks the world record for the most Harry Potters in one place

Sun, 27 Oct, 2019 - 22:31

Darragh Bermingham

A CORK town has broken the record for amassing the most Harry Potters in one place at the one time.

Fion and Oisín Maoraigh with Ezra and Jai Bowens from Rochestown and Ballinlough. Picture Denis Boyle

Almost 1,100 Harry Potters flocked to Bandon on Saturday to take part in the record-breaking event, named the Bandon Banshee after a character who features briefly in JK Rowling’s famous novels.

Ann Marie and Aoife Kelly and Ann Marie and Catriona O'Driscoll. Picture Denis Boyle

The 1,088 Harry Potters who arrived in Bandon meant the previous record of 997, held by a school in Australia, was defeated and the Cork town took the crown.

Jack and Danny Harrington O'Brien. Picture Denis Boyle

The event was part of the Taste of Bandon and Banshee Festival of Family Fun. The inaugural festival was described as an “autumn celebration of abundance, where we also revel in our Harry Potter connection with the Bandon Banshee”.

Eoin Kelly and Fionola Fogarty with twins Saoirse and Aoidhe Kelly. Picture Denis Boyle

A spokesperson for the festival said: “We chose the name of the Bandon Banshee as a named character in JK Rowling’s acclaimed Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets given that it was named after the town.”

Pictured at Bandon was the crowd celebrating after setting a new world record for Harry Potters. Picture Denis Boyle