‘GET IN touch with your inner leprechaun” is the call from Carol and Derek Ward, who want to set a world record for the largest gathering of people dressed as leprechauns.
They need at least 200 "little people" on St Patrick's Day to secure a place in the 2012 Guinness Book of Records. The record attempt will also raise funds for St Luke's Hospital in Dublin.
“We need to get in touch with our inner leprechaun and in these times anything that makes people smile is good,” say the Wards, who moved to Ardee, Co Louth, from England 13 years ago.
The couple raise funds every St Patrick’s Day and this year, in an effort to make it fun, have asked families to dress up and create a sea of green before taking part in the Ardee parade at 3pm.
“We have registered with the Guinness people and to qualify, our leprechauns must have the leprechaun hat, beard and green T- shirt and waistcoat and wear black or green trousers,” said Mr Ward.
The couple are taking registrations every day from local schools, groups and organisations as well as individuals and are optimistic they will set a new record.
It is €4 to register or €10 for a family of four. Ms Ward feels passionately about fundraising for cancer care having had a breast cancer scare herself.
“I am a friend of St Luke’s in Rathgar [Dublin] and the staff are just wonderful. Everyone is so nice and as a friend, I help fundraise and come up with ideas for the hospital and patients. Even if it is just giving someone a pillow or a magazine as they go through their treatment, it all helps,” added Ms Ward.
The couple are hoping that they will have more than 300 leprechauns when a head count is done by independent observers on Thursday afternoon. They must all stay in the one place for 10 minutes to qualify and then they will take part in the town parade.
Anyone who wants to take part can register by calling into Malone’s shop in Ardee.