Larne bonfire as it neared completion (Photo by Kevin Scott)
Bonfire builders in Larne are celebrating what they say is a world record height for this year’s pyre.
Bonfires will be lit in unionist communities across Northern Ireland on Thursday night ahead of the biggest day of the parading season.
The pyre at Craigyhill reached a height of more than 202 feet in 2022, beating the previous world record of 198 feet set in Lustenau, Austria, in March 2019 – although no official Guinness World Records adjudicator was present to verify the claim.
This year, on Wednesday, the Craigyhill bonfire page said: “Well well, that’s been a very long night with that severe weather Northern Ireland had the last 24 hours.
“We had some very nervous people wondering could we be going for the longest bonfire in Northern Ireland instead of the tallest lol.
“But jokes aside: A land survey firm called LSS which are one of the largest survey firms in Ireland was down this morning and took all the necessary measurements from points all over our green from top to bottom of the bonfire and they measured the bonfire at 205 feet and 6 inches.”
The post added: ”The 2nd firm Clifford and Gregg, a well established firm with some serious tech equipment, is just finishing up the 3 day scan image of the bonfire but have just told me the measurement of our bonfire to be 205 feet .269 inches which is just absolutely incredible especially after the night we had.
“So we have now smashed our record yet again …what an incredible achievement by this team.
“Craigyhill bonfire, world’s tallest again.”
Man parachutes off 200ft bonfire
According to the organisers, the details will be passed to Guinness World Records.
“All these figures with all documents and scans which will be signed and witnessed by two members in authority which will be posted to Guinness World Records to be placed on record as the World’s tallest,” they said.
“Again we thank everyone for their continued support but it’s time to go and party.”
