Diocesan News
The Museum of the Moon touches down at Saint Canice’s Cathedral
For the next three weeks, the Cathedral will host internationally acclaimed artist, Luke Jerram’s 7–metre in diameter Museum of the Moon. The installation uses NASA imagery to give an accurate and hugely detailed representation of the lunar surface. Visitors can experience the vast 3D installation in conjunction with an immersive soundtrack by BAFTA winning artist Dan Jones, which combined classical music and music inspired by the Moon, interspersed with clips from the Moon landings.
Speaking at the launch of the Museum of the Moon, the Dean of Ossory, the Very Reverend Stephen Farrell, said: “For us in the Cathedral this collaboration with Luke Jerram is a natural and a great fit. The artist has sought to make something to inspire, to help us raise our gaze, to pause and reflect and to make us ponder our place in the universe. We also have been doing that since 1205. The very architecture here is meant to inspire, to make us say ‘wow’, to catch your eye, to draw it heavenward and to cause the soul to meditate upon its existence and what is out there – to bridge the space between Earth and the heavens.”
A busy programme of worship and events is planned for the next three weeks. There will be Messy Church under the Moon on 23rd March at 3pm, followed by a Songs of Praise Service at 6. On 30th March, the parish and Kilkenny College will have Confirmation under the Moon and the normal round of cathedral worship, from Eucharist to Matins, Baptisms and Compline, will all take place under this unique piece of art.
Welcoming visitors who come either as tourists, pilgrims, worshippers or art lovers, the Dean said: “Over the next three weeks it will be possible to see this Cathedral like none of us have seen it before – to enjoy concerts under the moon, from classical piano to Coldplay, to see a specially commissioned play, to participate in art classes, for children to hear specially written stories and to discover through play, to enjoy a Lunar Banquet in conjunction with St Patrick’s Festival and Tradfest, to sing and to worship, to pause and be mindful – or just to grab a quick selfie for Instagram … but be sure to tag us!”
The Museum of the Moon runs at St Canice’s Cathedral until 30th March. Details and tickets at www.stcanicescathedral.ie
With thanks to Dylan Vaughan for photography
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Cashel, Ferns & Ossory
085 812 0650
Mr Shane Reynolds
[email protected]