Bandon goes potty over Harry Potter

By Kieran O’Mahony

NO sooner had Bandon beaten the Guinness World Record for the most Harry Potters in one place – 1,080 to be precise – than they were challenged by a UK wizard festival which is coming after the title in 2020.

The town resembled Hogwarts as over 1,000 suitably attired people of all ages gathered for the world record attempt. 

Given that the ‘Bandon’ is part of Harry Potter lexicon, having featured in the second book The Chamber of Secrets, it was only fitting that the town would attempt the challenge.

Seven years ago Bandon broke the Guinness World Record for the most leprechauns in one place and now the town has another claim to fame.

Speaking to The Southern Star, Marguerite McQuaid of A Taste of Bandon Banshee Food and Family Festival said organisers were blown away by the success of the event.

‘It was a fantastic day and was great to see the town so busy and people supporting, not just the festival, but the Guinness World Record attempt. The businesses also got behind the whole event with Harry Potter window displays and the parade was fantastic,’ said Marguerite.

‘We had people coming from Cork, Kilkenny and Waterford and one of the youngest Harry Potters to don Harry Potter garb was eight-week-old Jack Deane.’

Bandon beat the previous  world record of 997 held in Australia, but already the Wirksworth Wizarding Day in the UK is hot on their heels with plans to beat it next summer.

‘We are up for the challenge and will do it next year again if they beat us,’ promised Margeurite.