5 year sculpture trail opens

Michael Olney

A new contemporary sculpture trail through Cork city has been officially launched which comprises five public artworks installed over the past 6 months.

Launched by Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, Island City: Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail has been two years in the making and is the biggest single investment in public art in the history of the city.

The temporary artworks, which will be in situ for the next five years, are located on Carey’s Lane, Cook Street, the Exchange Building on the intersection of Princes Street and Oliver Plunkett St, Cornmarket Street (Coal Quay), and Triskel Christchurch.

Intended to illuminate Cork City’s unique heritage in an arresting, intriguing, and playful way, the project is hopes to reinvigorate and reimagine public spaces, creating points of interest for people to connect with the city centre.

‘Sentinels’ by Niamh McCann on Carey’s Lane is a lane-length sculptural piece, influenced by the architecture, geography, and migratory history of the street, a nod to the old and the new. The work, which is made with sustainable materials, is fixed above head height, and held by the simple image of a seagull, perched atop a neon strip, sentinel-like. Intriguing and playful, the work animates the lane and responds to the shifting shape of the city.

‘Boom Nouveau on Cook Street’ by Cork-based collaborative art group Forerunner, mimics the form of a tangible everyday urban street feature - the lamp post. The name refers to the rupture of the artwork emerging from the ground, with a nod to the influence of the craftsmanship of art nouveau. Created using historic methods of production with familiar building materials alongside hand-blown glass and cast bronze, the sculpture shines a light on the city and encourages people to look up and explore the architecture.

Fiona Mulholland’s ‘The Face Cup’ at The Exchange Building on Princes Street/Oliver Plunkett is a celebration of Cork’s rich prehistoric heritage. An artwork of large-scale sculptural reliefs, it is based on a collection of exceptional Bronze Age ceramic artifacts circa 3,800 years old that were excavated by Cork archaeologists. It also pays testament to the rich history and hospitality of the building and area. The artwork is handmade in Styrofoam and fibreglass and painted in a gold effect.

‘Urban Mirror’ on Cornmarket Street by Berlin-based studio plattenbaustudio is a beautifully crafted large table with an atmospheric globe light that provides a sculptural pavilion in a cultural corner of the city centre and a warming glow when the sun sets. A space intended to be used by the public to talk, eat, play, and interact, it was inspired by the street's vibrant history as a marketplace. Made of durable and playful stainless steel, the freeform table can seat up to 50 people.

Brian Kenny’s ‘Tempus Futurum’ at Triskel Christchurch is a unique light installation illuminating the stories of Cork’s past, present, and sustainable future. It echoes the adage: “A society thrives when elders plant trees under whose shade they'll never rest.” Scenes link human actions to nature's fate, while 50 children envision the building's future, sparking hope. The interactive finale reflects sustainability, showcasing the link between human choices and nature's balance. It's a reflection on the city's growth, urging consideration of today's impact on tomorrow's landscapes.

Commenting at the launch, Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy, said: “This has been an exceptional project for all, bringing art to the streets of Cork and enriching our urban environment and its heritage and history. In fact, it is a testament to the resilience and creativity of our cultural sector.

“We believe this initiative will deepen the city's connection with public art and encourage locals and visitors to explore new areas of the city as art comes to life on our streets,” he added.