“Winter Sun” is bringing warmth to Cork's iconic Triskel Christchurch with a stunning new digital projection.
Created by Cork artist Elinor O'Donovan, the moving image artwork is part of the city-wide Island City Sculpture Trail and will be on display every evening until April 2025.
Alongside this vibrant new projection, a website with world-class accessibility features has also been launched at IslandCityCork.ie, in addition to interactive walking tours of the Island City Sculpture Trail.
Winter Sun follows the success of Tempus Futurum and seeks to capture the warmth of a Cork summer for the winter months. Inspired by the iconic view from St. Patrick’s Hill at Bell’s Field, the work is a 10-minute looped film depicting Corkonians gathering to share a moment of togetherness, united by the beauty of a setting summer sun.
The projection, digitally mapped onto the South Main Street façade of Triskel, transforms the 300-year-old Georgian building at dusk every evening.
Reflecting on her inspiration, 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 moments of togetherness where we experience taking in the sunset, and even if people have no other connection to each other, they are connected by being there, at that one particular moment in time.“
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.”
The digital art installation is part of the Island City Urban Sculpture Trail, a Cork City Council initiative that integrates contemporary art into daily life. Funded by Fáilte Ireland under the Urban Animation Scheme, the trail features five sculptures installed across the city.
In addition to Winter Sun, the sculptures include Sentinels on Carey’s Lane, Boom Nouveau on Cook St, The Face Cup at Princes St and Oliver Plunkett St, and Urban Mirror on Cornmarket Street. The sculptures were commissioned after a competitive process supported by the National Sculpture Factory, while Winter Sun was selected through an open call.
The newly launched Island City website offers self-guided routes of the sculpture trail and will provide the public with a far greater opportunity to engage with both the artwork and the artists with behind-the-scenes documentation, insight into the significance of the locations, and an interactive map.
In partnership with Arts & Disability Ireland, a range of accessibility features have also been developed to ensure everyone can experience the artworks. These include NaviLens codes for the visually impaired; three social narrative videos documenting the trail with things to know before you go and guidance on any access barriers of note such as, audio descriptions with certified Audio Describer Bríd Ní Ghruagáin (including translations in 34 languages which will be hugely beneficial for tourists); touch tour resources so visually impaired participants can experience the shape and feel of the artworks, in particular, work that is out of reach i.e. The Face Cup and Sentinels; ListenTALK Assisted Listening Devices, allowing tours of the trial for up to 14 people with hearing impairments.
There will also be accessible walking tours with an ISL interpreter present for members of the Deaf Community. These combined initiatives are unique for Public Art in Ireland and this level of access has not been offered before.
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Colin Hindle, Festival Officer from Fáilte Ireland said: “Accessibility at this level has never been considered for public art or public art trails in Ireland before, so it really is a first for Ireland.”
Cork City Council has also partnered with Sample Studios, one of Ireland's largest artist studios, to create a series of 12 free guided walking tours, which began in September and will run once a month until November 2025 (the next tour is Nov 29 at 1pm). These tours will be led by Sample Studio’s Dr Matthew Whyte, assisted by members of their Studios of Sanctuary Programme. The tour guides have been trained in assisted listening, audio describing, touch tour development and guiding a person with a vision impairment.
The tours are offered to the general public with additional tours being developed for people requiring these accessibility accommodations. You can book directly here.
Cork City Council’s new Chief Executive Valerie O Sullivan said. "Winter Sun is a testament to the creativity and spirit of Cork. It exemplifies how public art can bring people together, fostering a sense of connection and shared experience, even during the colder months. This installation, alongside our other sculptures and new accessible website and app, ensures that everyone in our community can engage with art in a meaningful way. Cork City Council is proud to celebrate Cork's unique cultural heritage through innovative and inclusive projects like Island City."
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.”
Island City, Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail is a Cork City Council project funded by Fáilte Ireland under the Urban Animation Scheme, with commissioning support by National Sculpture Factory. The initiative 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 IslandCityCork.ie or follow @IslandCityCorkSculpture on Instagram.
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