It's official: Listowel's 'Dolly Day' added to the book of Guinness World Records

Listowel now holds the title for the largest number of people dressed as country music legend Dolly Parton after Dolly Day in 2023

Dolly Dolly Everywhere: Dolly Day participants pouring into Frank Sheehy Park in Listowel for the Dolly count in 2023 which led to the event being added to the official Guinness World Records book. 

History has been made for one North Kerry town, which has officially entered the Guinness World Records book, for the largest gathering of people dressed as Dolly Parton.

Listowel now holds the title for the largest number of individuals dressed as country music legend Dolly Parton, following a successful Dolly Day event on June 25, 2023.

One year on, the record has been etched into the pages of the famous Guinness World Records book’s 2025 edition, appearing on the Arts & Entertainment page, no.214.

Pat and Angela Grant travelled all the way from Newry Co Down to Listowel Co Kerry for Dolly Day. 'This is a great event for a great cause,' said Angela. 

The event, which saw 1,100 Dolly look-a-likes flood to the Kerry town, also managed to raise €74,670.00 for both the Kerry Hospice Foundation and Comfort for Chemo Kerry.

Committee chairwoman Cora O’Brien said they are delighted.

“There's some people that came and did the event who have unfortunately passed away from cancer. Some of their friends have got in touch and have said to us that it was one of their friends' last days and the memories that they have are really treasured now,” she told the Irish Examiner.

Despite months of careful preparation and planning, Cora says it was “worth it” when they saw how much money was raised for the two Kerry charities: 

To get the picture in the actual official Guinness World Records book 2025, is like the cherry on top.

This isn’t the first world record title for the town, which also currently holds the record for the largest gathering of people dressed in nun costumes, which it achieved in 2012, with the help of the same committee.

The ‘Nunday’ event saw 1,436 people partake in the dress-up challenge, which smashed the previous record held of 250 people.

Last June’s event was attended by a special guest — Dollywood company president, Eugene Naughton, who visited Listowel on Ms Parton’s behalf.

Billy Keane, Joe Stack, and Eoin (The Bomber) Liston, getting the hair done by the Kerry Wig Clinic at Danny's Hair Salon, Listowel with stylists Karina Nealon, Danny Russell, and Micheala O'Connor. 

Mr Naughton also donated €10,000 to the chosen charities following the event and extended an invitation to the committee to visit Dollywood.

Eleven committee members made the journey in April, where they were given a tour of Dollywood and were reunited with Mr Naughton.

“It was absolutely fantastic. I would definitely put it on your bucket list as a thing to do,” Cora said.

With two world records in tow, the committee is not finished, with Cora saying: “I think there’s one more left in us”.

Dolly Day organiser Cora O'Brien with Dollywood representative Eugene Nugent at Dolly Day in Listowel in 2023. 

The group is pondering various ideas but is “open to suggestions” on what its third record attempt should be, Cora said.

“In Listowel, everything happens after the races. So, our first meeting will be after the races, to see if we're able to go ahead with it next year or would it be the year after,” she added.

As the second world record title is finally done and dusted, Cora thanked the people of Listowel and wider community for their unwavering support.

"It does take time on the day and people have to be counted and photographed. Everybody was so patient with us. A big thank you to everyone that took part because we wouldn’t be in [the book] otherwise,” she said.