Where's Wally... Again?

After yesterday's success, the Guinness World Record for Wallys gathered in one location was attempted again this afternoon.  This time, 3,872 Wallys turned up, beating the 3,657 record from yesterday.  Despite a tight schedule, I decided it was worth giving up an hour of my time to hold the record for more than one day.  Once again, we all had a great time and I enjoyed every minute of it.

Where's Wally?

In 1987, Martin Handford published the book Where's Wally? (known as Where's Waldo? in the US and Canada), launching one of the most recognized characters of our generation.  Since that time, Waldo's appearances have reached beyond the pages of Handford's books and into popular culture.  According to Wikipedia (sorry but there are literally no scholarly sources I could cite for Where's Waldo? references in pop culture) the stripe-sporting icon has appeared on such television shows as Married With Children, Frasier, The Simpsons, Family Guy, and Robot Chicken, in addition to featuring in various video games, a comic strip, and appearing on Quaker Life Cereal boxes.  However, it wasn't until 2009 that the trend of dressing as Waldo became part of his legacy.

Over the past few years, groups have gathered in an attempt to hold the Guinness World Record for the greatest number of people dressed as the pop-culture icon in one place.  It began in April of 2009 where 1,052 Waldos gathered at Rutgers University in New Jersey.  Although several attempts had been made to surpass the number, the record stood until June 12 of this year, when 2,563 Wallys gathered in Fitzgerald's Park in Cork, Ireland.

While visiting Cork with my husband's family, we witnessed several Wallys wandering around the area.  The next day, I read in the paper that the record had been broken.  I found the idea of people dressing up like Wally for a world record intriguing, and when I heard that Dublin was going to make an attempt of its own, I decided I couldn't miss such a bizarre and unique opportunity.

Thus, this morning found me at Merrion Square Park in Dublin inquiring about the price of a Wally costume.  I was informed that all the proceeds were going to "Africa Aware," an Irish-based charity that was created in 1990 to provide HIV/AIDS education for the people of Phalombe, Malawi.  The organization has since expanded to help provide drinking wells, agricultural education, and develop employment opportunities for the people of Phalombe.  In addition, the group provides orphan sponsorship for local children.  A fundraiser for such a good cause, coupled with the potential for breaking a world record was enough to convince me that dressing like a cartoon character for a few hours this afternoon was a fantastic idea.

One of park's adjoining streets was blocked off, and only those wearing the Wally costume were allowed to enter the designated area.  Organizers encouraged attendance by publicizing that a high-resolution camera would take a photo of the thousands of Wallys that would be put online.  Participants could then zoom in on the photo and find themselves in a real-life version of Where's Wally?

Despite a little rain, 3,657 Wallys participated in the photo, making Dublin the newest Guinness World Record holder.  Speakers blared Queen's "We are the Champions" as Wallys of all ages cheered and danced.  Strangers hugged and high fived each other, and everybody was smiling.  As a final celebration, everyone "graduated" as the new record holders by throwing their caps in the air.  It was a great feeling, and as ridiculous as the whole thing was, it is one of my favorite memories in Ireland.

We did it!

Barack Obama visits Ireland

On May 23, just short of a week after Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Ireland, President Barack Obama arrived in Dublin as part of a 6-day trip through Europe. The president will be visiting the small town of Moneygall, County Offaly, the home of his great-great-great-grandfather, Falmouth Kearney.  Researchers at Ancestry.co.uk are credited with accidentally discovering President Obama's link to Falmouth Kearney as part of a study on the impact Irish immigrants had on America.

Upon arrival in Dublin, the president and the first lady met with Irish President Mary McAleese.  Obama planted a peace tree at Áras an Uachtaráin, the residence of President McAleese in Phoenix Park.  He then met with Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Enda Kenny before leaving Dublin to visit his ancestral home in Moneygall (population 300).  Barack Obama and the first lady enjoyed "the perfect pint" of Guinness at a local pub and took the time to meet with his distant Irish relations, including his eighth cousin Henry (now referred to as Henry VIII).

Upon returning to Dublin, President Barack Obama spoke at College Green to a cheering crowd of 40,000.  Our apartment was only 2 blocks from the stage, so we could hear him perfectly and although our view of the stage was blocked, we had a clear view of the television screens that were set up for the crowds.  We invited all our classmates over and baked Obama cookies (in the shape of an O) for the occasion.  While I'm not generally overly-patriotic, it was an incredible feeling to look out our window at the crowds below all waving American flags and cheering.  Regardless of political beliefs, President Obama represented America well on his visit to Ireland.

I have included an excerpt of President Obama's speech.  To listen to it in its entirety, visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ngwyKsUg9Ms



"May God bless the eternal friendship between our two great nations."  - President Barack Obama

Is feidir linn
 
Obama photos from http://society.ezinemark.com

Queen Elizabeth II visits Ireland

On May 17 Queen Elizabeth II of England made history by being the first royal monarch to visit the Republic of Ireland since it declared independence from Great Britain. Queen Elizabeth II was invited for an official visit by Irish president Mary McAleese, well known for working to restore peaceful relationships between Ireland and Northern Ireland. Although the Queen's visit was accepted by the majority of the population, her timing did spark some public outcry. May 17 marks the anniversary of the Dublin and Monaghan bombings of 1974 which killed 33 civilians and wounded nearly 300. Because the British are widely considered to have been involved in the car bombings, many Irish citizens feel that the Queen's decision to visit on this day was particularly insensitive. However, President McAleese defended the Queen, telling RTE news reporters that her visit came at "absolutely the right moment."

The Queen's decision to speak at Croke Park also sparked some public outcry. The stadium, currently home to the Galic Athletic Association headquarters, is also the site of the 1920 massacre known as Bloody Sunday.  On November 21, during a Dublin vs. Tipperary Gaelic football match, the Crown forces, supported by the Auxiliaries, entered the stadium during play and shot into the crowd, ultimately killing 13 spectators and Tipperary's captain, Michael Hogan.  Some of my Irish classmates expected the Queen to apologize for the bloodshed that took place at Croke Park while others simply felt it was distasteful to visit the site.

Although from an outsider's perspective I generally feel that the Queen's visit to Dublin was a positive step toward fostering relations between Ireland and Great Britain, I do understand that not all Irish citizens feel ready to move on.  While we saw several peaceful protests, the most affective (in my opinion) was a group that had one black balloon for each Irish citizen killed as a result of the struggle for Irish Independence.  These protestors gathered outside our apartment and as the Queen was laying a wreath at the Garden of Remembrance, they let the balloons float up into the sky.  It was a very powerful image and one that people all over Dublin could see.

I've included links to photos from Queen Elizabeth II's visit to give a visual account of both the Queen's activities and the protests that took place.  Photo 3 and 5 from the first link were taken in our neighborhood, just to give you a perspective of how tight security was where we live (the Queen drove past our window several times during her stay).

http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0517/queenvisitdayone_gallery.html
http://www.rte.ie/news/2011/0518/queenelizabethday2_gallery.html

I have also included a video of both President Mary McAleese and Queen Elizabeth II's speeches at the Irish State Banquet held at Dublin Castle.  Both spoke of their desire for peace and their hopes for closer ties in the future.




"Though the seas between us have often been stormy, we have chosen to build a solid and enduring bridge of friendship between us and to cross it to a new, a happier future."  - President Mary McAleese

Photos from http://www.rte.ie