Cork warming up to new winter art installation

It’s getting colder outside in Cork city but those enjoying a brisk stroll along South Main Street might suddenly start to feel an unseasonal warmth.

That’s because Cork’s iconic Triskel Christchurch building has been illuminated with moving images of sun-soaked summer scenes for the winter months as part of the city-wide Island City Urban Sculpture Trail.

The ‘Winter Sun’ projection by acclaimed local artist Elinor O’Donovan will be on display until the end of April 2025.

Inspired by the iconic view from St Patrick’s Hill at Bell’s Field, the work seeks to capture the warmth of a Cork summer through a 10 minute looped film depicting Corkonians gathering to share a moment of togetherness, united by the beauty of a setting summer sun. Reflecting on her inspiration, Elinor O’Donovan said: “In 1750, Cork painter John Butts captured a panoramic view of the city in his painting, ‘View of Cork from Audley Place’. That viewpoint, today’s Bell’s Field, remains a place of reflection and peace for Corkonians. My work, ‘Winter Sun’, continues this tradition of sun-worship, drawing people together to share a familiar but profound experience.”

The projection, digitally mapped onto the South Main Street façade of Triskel, will transform the 300 year old Georgian building at dusk every evening for the next six months.

Tony Sheehan, Artistic Director at Triskel, said: “The Triskel building has been a canvas for art and culture for centuries, and 'Winter Sun' continues that legacy in a contemporary, engaging way. It’s a beautiful addition to the city’s landscape and we congratulate artist Elinor O’Donovan, Cork City Council, Fáilte Ireland and the National Sculpture Factory.”

‘Winter Sun’ is part of the Island City Urban Sculpture Trail, an initiative that integrates contemporary art into daily life, featuring five artistic works installed across the city. In addition to ‘Winter Sun’, the trail includes ‘Sentinels’ on Carey’s Lane, ‘Boom Nouveau’ on Cook Street, ‘The Face Cup’ at Princes Street and Oliver Plunkett Street, and ‘Urban Mirror’ on Cornmarket Street.The Island City Urban Sculpture Trail is a Cork City Council initiative and is funded by Fáilte Ireland under the Urban Animation Scheme.

Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Dan Boyle, said: “Triskel Christchurch is an iconic building and important cultural venue in the city, and we are delighted to again see it brought to life in a new dimension with this stunning projected artwork.”

Cork City Council has also partnered with Sample Studios, one of Ireland's largest artist studios, to create a series of 12 guided walking tours, one per month from November 2024 to November 2025. The tours will be led by Sample Studios’ Dr Matthew Whyte, and he will be assisted by members of their Studios of Sanctuary Programme.

It was recently highly commended at the Business to Arts Awards for “Engaging audiences with Cork’s unique heritage through an accessible experience”.To learn more about Island City, go to corkcity.ie/islandcity or follow @IslandCityCorkSculpture on Instagram.