The Peace Doves
Be part of our community art Installation
The peace Doves
Cathedral calls on the community for the Peace Dove project
Sharing 10,000 messages of peace. You are invited to include yours.
This September, thousands of handmade Peace Doves carrying messages of hope and unity will transform the 800-year-old interior of St Canice’s Cathedral into a breath-taking community art installation. Join us and to take part in something truly special this summer.
When visiting St Canice’s Cathedral up until September, you are invited to write a simple handwritten message and become part of a much larger shared experience.
Schools, clubs, families, community groups, visitors and individuals are invited to take part.
Add your message of peace
Participants are invited to write or draw a personal message onto a handcrafted paper dove designed by internationally renowned artist Peter Walker. These doves will become part of a spectacular installation, a public artwork seen by thousands of visitors inside St Canice’s Cathedral this September. Cathedral staff will be on hand to help you share your ideas on one of the 10,000 doves expected to make up the installation.
Dean of Ossory, the Very Reverend Stephen Farrell commented, “Peace Doves gives our visitors, school groups, local communities and neighbours an opportunity to be part of this major art installation, which is only possible with the engagement of those who pass through these doors.
In these troubling times, Peace Doves will give voice to the hopes and wishes of thousands of people whose messages will soar above the crossing at St Canice’s Cathedral this September.
The simple act of writing a message, a hope, a name to be remembered on a dove is actually a profound act of solidarity with all who need peace in their communities. It is a way for visitors to express their hope, and actively become part of the long history of this cathedral.”
This project gives people of all ages an opportunity to pause, reflect and contribute something positive to their community.
Help fill St Canice’s Cathedral with messages of peace
Together, we will help create a breath-taking installation filled with thousands of suspended doves soaring above the Cathedral crossing carrying the hope and creativity of the community.
St Canice’s Cathedral’s education team are set to visit schools in the area by arrangement over the coming weeks. The team will facilitate Peace Dove workshops with free digital resource packs containing all the materials, educational guidance, and themed activities. These doves will later become part of Peter Walker’s final installation.
The project offers students and the wider community an opportunity to reflect on peace, kindness and hope while contributing to a significant public artwork that thousands of visitors will experience.
Included in your education packs are:
- Guided peace dove workshops
- Free educational resources
- Creative activity packs
- Curriculum-linked learning opportunities
- A chance to contribute to a major public artwork.
Created by internationally acclaimed artist Peter Walker
Peace Doves is the vision of internationally renowned British sculptor Peter Walker. His work is well-known locally for the beautiful Starlight by Luxmuralis experience presented at St Canice’s Cathedral during Kilkenny’s Yulefest celebrations last December.
Following the success of the immersive Christmas experiences at the Cathedral, Peace Doves brings another world-class artistic installation to Kilkenny for the very first time.
Mid-September Peter will join us to install the artwork and we look forward to hosting a series of concerts to accompany the installation. During the day, visitors can take in the piece with 360 views of the doves as they wander around the cathedral. The piece is accompanied by original music composer by David Harper.
The installation will take place for just eight weeks inside the Cathedral, making this a unique opportunity to become part of a once-in-a-generation community artwork. We are so looking forward to September when we will look up and see thousands of white doves cascading overhead, carrying messages of peace with the ancient walls of our cathedral.
Soon this space will be filled with thousands of messages of hope …won’t you join us?
Contact
Catherine McEntee
Head of Education & Interpretation
explore@stcanicescathedral.com
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