The dove of peace is released at Gorey Community School during the world record breaking attempt last Friday.

It was an amazing sight!

1,555 students and staff involved in a world record attempt to enter the Guinness Book of Records for the number of humans holding hands for one minute of silence, exchanging peace.

The scene was the grounds of Gorey Community School last Friday, September 20th at 12 noon.

At the biggest secondary school in the country, everyone assembled in three spirals of joined hands.

The spiral formation was the brainchild of Ms Grainne Mulcahy, acting chaplain, and is based on the belief that peace originates in each individual heart and radiates outwards.

The spiral symbolised the progress and development of peace as it spreads from one individual to the next and ultimately encompasses the whole community. Standing together with joined hands reflects how a simple gesture of solidarity can transform a community and represents any community on this planet who are prepared to embrace the concept of peace in a practical or in a symbolic way.

The minutes’ silence was followed by the release of three doves by Michael Ryan, Bunclody, and donations were accepted for Console.

A ten metre banner with the slogan ‘May peace prevail on earth’ collected student and teacher signatures.

This was followed by a peace concert in the Quad.

As Gorey Community School is a pilot school for Instruments of Peace activities will be ongoing and the school will receive a Peace Cup.

Next year a number of students will represent Ireland in the UN headquarters in New York.

The organisation of the event was described by Rosemarie Lucero, CEO of Instruments of Peace, as “a masterstroke of impeccable management, perfection through co-operation.”

Full story in THE GOREY ECHO this week.