The Island City – Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail was officially launched by the Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Kieran McCarthy. The trail consists of five contemporary public artworks located throughout the city centre island.
The sculptures can be found on Carey’s Lane, Cook Street, the Exchange Building on Princes Street, Cornmarket Street (Coal Quay), and Triskel Christchurch. They will remain in place for the next five years.
The five artworks include:
- Sentinels [flew through the ages in the shape of birds]on Carey’s Lane By Niamh McCann
- Sentinels 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 Forerunner
- Boom Nouveau mimics the form of a tangible everyday urban street feature – the lamppost. 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 as they navigate through the city.
- The Face Cup at The Exchange Building, Princes Street/Oliver Plunkett St. By Fiona Mulholland
- The Face Cup 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 3800 years old that were excavated by Cork archaeologists. A museum for an outdoor space, 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 (Coal Quay) By plattenbaustudio.
- Urban Mirror 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 market-place. Made of durable and playful stainless steel, the freeform table can seat up to 50 people.
- Tempus Futurum at Triskel Christchurch By Brian Kenny
- Tempus Futurum” is a unique light installation on Triskel Christchurch that illuminates 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.
This ambitious project, two years in the making, is the largest investment in public art in Cork and was funded by Fáilte Ireland under the Urban Animation Investment Scheme, with commissioning support from the National Sculpture Factory.
The sculptures aim to illuminate Cork City’s unique heritage in a captivating and playful manner, reinvigorating and reimagining public spaces for both locals and visitors. They include 3D representations of prehistoric artifacts, a large table for eating and socializing, an overhead sculptural piece responding to the city’s changing shape, an art nouveau lamp-post encouraging exploration of the city’s architecture, and a light installation highlighting Cork’s past, present, and sustainable future.
The aim of the trail is to encourage people to pause, appreciate, and engage with the beauty, character, and heritage of Cork City’s streets.The project was made possible through the collaboration of Cork City Council, Fáilte Ireland, and various artists and architects. It is part of Fáilte Ireland’s efforts to develop unique attractions that encourage visitors to explore, stay longer, and immerse themselves in Cork’s rich heritage and culture
