By Cianna McNally

Carrickmacross is gearing up to make history by attempting to gather together the largest number of twins in one place in Ireland.

This unique event which is being organised by Carrickmacross Lions Club will take place in the town on Saturday, 5 June as part of the tenth annual Carrickmacross Festival. The aim is create a record for the largest number of sets of twins gathered together in one place at the same time in Ireland. Prizes will be awarded for the youngest / oldest and furthest travelled set of twins as well as a prize for the best novelty set.

President of Carrickmacross Lions Club Paddy Gollogly who has promoted the event on the national airwaves is encouraging people from “the cradle to the grave” to take part. Speaking to monaghanlife.ie Mr Gollogly said that the Lord Mayor from the French town of Carhaix which is twinned with Carrickmacross is hoping to attend and bring a set of twins with him. What’s more, in the spirit of the day, Mr Gollogly is hoping to get the Steadfast Brass Band and the Loughlinn Linn Brass Band to join forces on the day and perform and it is hoped the same will happen with the Aughnamullen Pipe Band and the Corduff Pipe Band.

Formal identification such as a passport, driving licence or birth certificate will be required from those wishing to take part in the twin event. Registration costs €10 per set of twins and forms can be found on www.carrickmacross.ie/html/Community/carrickmacrosslions.asp. Funds and sponsorship raised from the unique twin event will be divided between the running costs of a bus that takes local people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease to respite on a weekly basis and other local, national and international charities.