Former Ireland rugby captain Brian O'Driscoll, champion horse Hurricane Fly and the shaving for 179 heads simultaneously are some of the Ireland's world record-breakers to make Guinness World Records book.
The annual who’s who of the world’s weird and wonderful will hit shelves tomorrow.
The 60th edition of the Guinness World Records reveals the identity of a woman responsible for the planet’s largest yoyo, the American sharpshooter who can fire an arrow the furthest with her feet, and the proud owner of the longest human tongue.
O' Driscoll was recognised for the most international appearances in Rugby Union at 141.
Irish bred horse Hurricane Fly has the most horse racing group 1 (grade 1) victories at 19.
In Dublin earlier this year, the world record were broken for most heads shaved simultaneously at 179 by the The Ray D‘Arcy Show as part of Today FM‘s Shave or Dye.
Wacky hall of fame
First published in 1955, the Guinness World Records book has become a publishing phenomenon, with more than 132 million copies sold in 20 languages, in more than 100 countries.
The latest edition reflects on the last 60 years of record-breaking, while also featuring the latest additions to the wacky hall of fame.
This includes great Dane Karsten Maas, inventor of the world's longest golf club at 4.37m, and Londoner Yannick Read has created the smallest known caravan — measuring less than 2.4m in length.
Californian Nick Stoeberl was recognised for having the world’s longest tongue at 10.1cm.
Mr Stoeberl said he first realised his long was much longer than others when he was a child.
His father was “a huge fan of KISS” and Mr Stoeberl would imitate Gene Simmon’s infamous tongue pose.
“I’m not only able to lick my nose, but also my elbow,” he said.
Lancashire film buff Nick Bennett could give fictional radio presenter and James Bond superfan Alan Partridge a run for his money, after earning his place in the compendium for having the largest 007 collection.
The 47-year-old from Leigh owns 12,463 pieces of memorabilia, contained in a shrine in his house.
Guinness World Records editor Craig Glenday said they processed 50,000 claims in the past year and it was difficult to decide what made it to the final cut into the book.
“This is an important landmark edition for Guinness World Records, giving us the opportunity to look back at how records have changed over these six extraordinary decades,” he said.
“Added to this, we’ve got all-new Augmented Reality features, which conjure up record-holders in full, animated 3D before your eyes.”
List of Irish achievements that made the cut into the 2015 book edition
Most international appearances in Rugby Union
Brian O’Driscoll has made a record-breaking 141 appearances internationally wearing the Irish jersey from June 12th, 1999 to June 29th, 2013. His appearances were officially verified in March, 2014. He surpassed former Australia scrumhalf George Gregan’s record of 139 international appearances.
Most heads shaved simultaneously
The most heads shaved simultaneously is 179 and was achieved by The Ray D‘Arcy Show as part of Today FM‘s Shave or Dye 2014, in Dublin on February 21st, 2014.
Most horse racing group 1 victories in a career by a horse
The most horse racing group 1 (grade 1) victories by a horse is 19 by Irish horse Hurricane Fly from November 30th, 2008 to 26 January 26th, 2014.
Fastest North Pole Marathon (male)
Thomas Maguire from Ireland won this category in a time of 3 hours 36 minutes 10 seconds in the 2007 event.
Largest gathering of people dressed as Saint Patrick
Saint Brigid‘s National School (Ireland) in Castleknock, Dublin, Ireland had 882 people dressed as Saint Patrick on March 14th, 2013.
Largest gathering of people dressed as monks
The largest gathering of people dressed as monks is 463 and was achieved by Ardfert Central National School in Ardfert, Co Kerry on May 11th, 2013.
Treadmill: greatest distance covered in 48 hours
Tony Mangan at St. Mel's College in Longford travelled on a treadmill in 48 hours is 405.22 km on August 2008.
Heaviest weight lifted in one hour bench press
Irishman Eamonn Keane benchpressed in one hour is 138,480kg at World Gym in Marina del Rey, California in USA in 2003.
(additional reporting with PA)
