471 DANCERS descended on Belfast last Friday, September 21st, for a world record attempt with a difference.
Part of the city's annual Culture Night, they were there to take part in what they hoped would be the world's biggest ever tap-dancing class.
Boasting dancers of all ages and of varying ability, the challenge was to beat the previous record of 251 set in Mackay, Queensland, Australia back on May 25th, 2017.
Though the total of dancers in attendance dwarfed that number, getting everyone there was only half of the challenge.
In order to be officially recognised by the officials over at Guinness World Records, those in attendance had to complete a 30-minute class followed by a three-minute choreographed performance.
All the while stewards from the awarding body kept a close eye on their efforts to ensure all of the aforementioned rules were adhered to.
It didn't matter though, with the group successfully pulling off the lesson followed by the choreographed performance with aplomb.
Great fun participating in the #TapPayGo to set a new World Record for the most people tap dancing a 3min routine! We did it in Belfast @bankofireland @europahotel #CultureNight pic.twitter.com/FDw9rQ5E67
— karen birnie (@kbdancefitness) September 21, 2018
The group, which featured dancers as young as six, smashed the record at Belfast's Europa Hotel in what proved to be one of the highlights of Culture Night.
Kerry Rooney, Culture Night Belfast Manager, expressed her delight at the record attempt's success in an interview with Belfast Live.
"Culture Night is always an exciting night in Belfast's busy cultural calendar," she said.
"This year we broke our own personal record by celebrating our 10th birthday which was made all the more special by achieving a world record."
