GOLDEN PLOVER - PLUVIALIS APRICARIA

This week Garrett is imagining to look at a bird called a GOLDEN PLOVER. Its name in the Irish Language is ‘Feadóg bhuí’. The Latin name is ‘Pluvialis Apricaria’. Sadly this bird is a RED listed bird in Ireland. Some interesting trivia here. Garrett relays the Origin of Guinness World Records where on 10 November 1951, Sir Hugh Beaver, then the managing director of the Guinness Breweries, went on a shooting party in the North Slob, by the River Slaney in County Wexford, Ireland. After missing a shot at a Eurasian golden plover, he became involved in an argument over which was the fastest game bird in Europe, the golden plover or the red grouse (the former being correct). That evening at Castlebridge House, he realised that it was impossible to confirm in reference books whether or not the golden plover was Europe's fastest game bird. Beaver knew that there must be numerous other questions debated nightly in pubs throughout Ireland, but there was no book in the world with which to settle arguments about records. He realised then that a book supplying the answers to this sort of question might prove popular. A Guinness employee told Sir Hugh of two twin brothers, Norris and Ross McWhirter, who had opened a fact checking agency in London. Sir Hugh interviewed the brothers and, impressed by their prodigious knowledge, commissioned the book. Later, he published the first Guinness World Records which became a best seller within months.HIDE FM is a Per Cent for Art commission by Fingal County Council.Please FOLLOW / SUBSCRIBE!Send all of your questions to [email protected]