Northern Irish Musician Breaks Guinness World Record Despite Broken Thumb

Marty Rafferty, a musician from County Armagh in Northern Ireland, has set a new Guinness World Record for the longest busking performance. Despite breaking his thumb the week before, Rafferty performed for an impressive 24 hours straight, surpassing the previous record shortly after midday on Thursday. Although he had originally planned to perform until 6:00 PM BST, Rafferty was forced to stop at 3:00 PM due to his injury and exhaustion. Despite the early end, he achieved a remarkable feat, which included enduring cold temperatures and a strained voice. His performance not only shattered the world record but also helped raise funds for a local Christmas toy appeal. Rafferty’s persistence and dedication were highlighted by event compere James McGrath, who noted his remarkable mindset. The event, known as a ‘buskathon,’ took place in Armagh’s Market Street and followed strict guidelines, such as mandatory breaks between songs and no repetition of the same song within four hours. Rafferty joked that future two-hour gigs would feel short compared to this marathon performance. The event was organized by Liam White, who conceived the idea as a fundraiser and later decided to go for the world record. Rafferty’s effort was widely praised by the local community, and it raised significant attention for the charity’s cause.