In a special journey to mark the 70th anniversary of Guinness World Records, Editor-in-Chief Craig Glenday has travelled to Ireland to explore the humble beginnings of the world-famous book. Glenday made a personal pilgrimage to the very location where the iconic idea was first conceived.
The origin story is well-known: in 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, then the managing director of the Guinness Brewery, was on a hunting trip and got into a heated debate with his companions about the fastest game bird. They couldn’t find a definitive answer in any reference book. This led Sir Hugh to realize the need for a book that could settle such pub arguments, turning “the heat of argument into the light of knowledge.”
Glenday’s journey took him to Castlebridge, County Wexford, where a sign proudly declares the town the “birthplace of Guinness World Records.” He visited the North Slob, the very mudflats where the legendary argument took place, and was even given special access to explore the now-dilapidated Castlebridge House where Sir Hugh had dinner that evening.
“It’s amazing because the origin story has always been like a myth or a legend to me,” Glenday said. “This is where the book was born.” The visit was a meaningful trip down memory lane for Glenday, who has spent over 20 years at the company, and a fitting tribute as Guinness World Records celebrates its 70th year.
