Thousands turned out in Dublin on Sunday (July 21) to watch 1,693 people from 44 countries break the Guinness World Record for the longest Riverdance Line of Dancers, performing the Riverdance - The Gathering Longest Line.

Dubliners lined the quays from the city's Samuel Beckett Bridge to the Sean O'Casey Bridge, cheering on the participants as they danced into the record books.

The previous record of 652 people dancing in a continuous line was held by Nashville, Tennessee.

Following a starting signal provided by the LE Niamh, the Irish Navy ship, the banks of the Liffey cheered to the sound of Bill Whelan's Riverdance, and the 1,693 dancers began the very special performance, setting a new Guinness World Record.

To date over 23 million people in over 350 cities have seen Riverdance performed live, though the event was open to anyone.

However all participants had to master the basic Riverdance steps & received online tutorials in advance to prepare them for the occasion, though many were swept up in the enthusiasm of the event.

Irish dancers Daisy and Rose Carey said everyone was having a good time.

"It's amazing to be here today and enjoy all the great buzz that's happening and all the fun," said Daisy.

"We're on the Samuel Beckett Bridge here in Dublin, we're overlooking the Liffey. It's been a fabulous couple of days, really sunny and bright and dry, everyone's in good spirits, everyone wants to dance, everyone has to dance," Rose said.

The record attempt was part of an Irish tourism promotional effort that plans to hold 4,000 events in total by the end of the year, celebrating the country's people, culture and history.

World Record Rules state that to be included in the Guinness World Record the single line of dancers must perform continuously for five minutes.

Presented by Adam Justice