On March 10, the Museum of the Moon, a seven-metre spherical lunar installation by artist, Luke Jerram, will appear at St. Canice's Cathedral for an exclusive three-week event.
The luminous artwork features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface, with each centimetre of the powerful installation representing 5km of the moon's surface.
The artwork is up-lighted from below and illuminated from within, bathing St. Canice's Cathedral in moonlight.
Museum of the Moon is also accompanied by a soundtrack created by BAFTA award-winning composer, Dan Jones, which combines music and spoken word from interviews and original recordings of the 1969 moon landings.
A number of enchanting moonlit concerts and events inspired by our closest celestial neighbour will also take place at St. Canice’s Cathedral to accompany the lunar installation.
Performances set to take place under the gigantic moon include Irish Trad sensation, Sharon Shannon, as part of the city's Tradfest, along with performances from The White Horse Guitar Club, the Lisa Hannigan Ensemble and Bay Port High School Marching Band from the USA, to name but a few.
"We are delighted to host the Museum of the Moon,” said The Very Reverend Stephen Farrell, Dean of Ossory. “We have been lifting our eyes to heaven from the cathedral for 800 years and this spectacular artwork will help to do the same.
"The monumental scale of the moon in the glorious setting of the ancient cathedral crossing will inspire children and adults alike, helping us to ponder our place in the cosmos.”
He added: “I warmly encourage people to come and experience the welcome and the peace here in the cathedral and to see the moon up close and personal in a way you have never seen before. We will be over the moon to welcome you to St. Canice's Cathedral,” he joked.
The installation will be open daily from March 10 until March 30. The exhibit is included with the admission ticket to St. Canice's Cathedral.
Visitors can find the full line-up of concerts and events, coinciding with the Museum of the Moon, on the St. Canice’s website.