Getty Image / Paul Faith / AFP
The 2024 Craigyhill Bonfire in Northern Ireland lived up to the hype and then some as it set a new world record as the world’s largest bonfire ever amassed and it stood at a whopping 205+ feet tall.
Construction on the world’s largest bonfire was completed last week, several days prior to the Craigyhill Bonfire being sent up in flames with thousands on hand to watch in awe.
I’d personally been eagerly awaiting the Craigyhill Bonfire to erupt for days after I first laid eyes on the majestic structure. It was measured mid-way last week and news quickly spread that a new record had been set for the world’s largest bonfire. The previous record, according to Guinness World Records, measured 198 ft 11 in and was a bonfire lit in Austria back in 2019.
This year’s Craigyhill Bonfire measured a whopping 205 feet and 0.269 inches according to Clifford and Gregg, a firm contracted to measure the bonfire. Here it is in all its glory prior to being set on fire:
And here is the world’d largest bonfire, an ephemeral monument to man’s achievement, after it was set on fire:
The official Craigyhill Bonfire account also shared some aerial footage of the action using a drone and it looks equally as awesome from above as it does from the ground:
Like most guys, I’m simple, I see an awesome fire and I am mesmerized by it. This all started as a young kid in the Boy Scouts of America when I received my laminated card for responsible fire making, a card my dad recently found and returned to me and which I now carry in my wallet just in case anyone ever tries to question my fire building skills.
I have no idea how many people it takes to build the Craigyhill Bonfire but I know that they’re all accomplished and have to feel amazing watching it go up in flames. That’s the ultimate moment of catharsis right there. Seriously though, how many cranes must they have used to place all of those wooden pallets? It is truly a special achievement.
Furthermore, all of those people were at the site early the next morning cleaning up everything. They cleaned up ashes, fences, trash cans, etc. and returned the park to pristine condition so it can start healing in time for next year’s Craigyhill Bonfire.