Sculpture trail set for Cork city

An exciting new trail of contemporary public art works is on the way to Cork city.

It’s hoped the project will enhance the city centre by providing an experience that is “arresting, intriguing and playful whilst illuminating the city’s unique heritage”, Cork City Council has

said.

Called Island City, Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail, it will see the installation of 5 art works over a period from June-December. The temporary art works will remain for 5 years.

The project is funded by Fáilte Ireland under the Urban Animation Scheme. Cork’s National Sculpture Factory has been engaged by Cork City Council to support the project, including the commissioning of the art works.

4 of the 5 sculptures were commissioned following a process conducted in 2022.

Urban Mirror by Berlin-based Plattenbaustudio will take the coloured facades and intimate scale of Coal Quay as its starting point and reinterpret Cornmarket Street as a room without a roof containing a free-form table, held in place by an oversized ’pin’ with a coloured globe of light at its top.

On Carey’s Lane, artist Niamh McCann will create a suspended, lane-length sculptural piece that will take its form from the architecture, topography and incidental features along the length of the lane.

Linking the past to the present, Fiona Mulholland will populate the façade of the Exchange Building on Princes Street with large-scale sculptural reliefs.

Forerunner intend a present-day rupture within the cityscape on Cook Street with Boom Nouveau – a series of sculptures based on tangible everyday urban street features which mimic natural forms.

Lord Mayor of Cork Cllr Deirdre Forde said: “This project highlights the value that Cork city places on the arts in our public realm. We look forward to welcoming visitors to experience this unique sculpture trail and showing Cork at its best - as a city where arts and culture are for all to enjoy, alive on our streets.”

Chief Executive of Cork City Council, Ann Doherty, said: “Thanks to investment in Cork by Fáilte Ireland, this is the most ambitious single public art commissioning project in the city to date.

“It will be a boost to the city centre and builds further on the ambitious pedestrianisation and outdoor dining infrastructure projects that have enhanced Cork City as a vibrant liveable city and destination.”