Museum of the Moon: Unique, luminous sculpture to be unveiled in Kilkenny this week

The Museum of the Moon, a luminous sculpture by internationally-renowned artist Luke Jerram, has arrived in Kilkenny for an exclusive three-week exhibition.

The seven-metre moon installation will be suspended from the crossing at St Canice’s Cathedral, approximately three metres from the ground. The audience can freely move beneath and around the installation.

Visitors are encouraged to experience the installation, which is open daily from 10am on March 10 for a limited three-week exhibition. Museum of the Moon is accompanied by a soundtrack created by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones. The soundtrack combines music and spoken word from interviews and original recordings of the 1969 moon landings.

“We are overjoyed to welcome Luke Jerram’s extraordinary Museum of the Moon to St Canice’s Cathedral,” said Dean of St Canice’s Cathedral, Rev Stephen Farrell. “We warmly encourage people to visit the cathedral in March to experience the luminous installation transforming the 800-year-old cathedral.

“It is remarkable to see one artist’s vision spark such a diverse and memorable programme of daytime and evening experiences for both children and adults through music, performance, wellness, theatre, spoken word, play and activities inspired by our closest celestial neighbour.”

Set beneath Luke Jerram's Museum of the Moon, highlights from the programme include Moon Music, an orchestral reimagining of Coldplay's most iconic songs.

Under the direction of Michael Amadi, OneOrchestra will transform Coldplay’s familiar songs into a rich, cinematic soundscape through a string quartet, piano, and voice, creating a dynamic, immersive experience that merges orchestral music with visual art.

It will be a magical night as St Canice’s Cathedral Choir and a theatrical performance, The Nine Moons of Ago, are among the stellar line-up, and limited tickets remain for Kilkenny Tradfest’s concert with Sharon Shannon.

Moon Mischief from local writer Niamh Donnellan is a fantastical journey to the moon and back, from aliens to robots, jumping cows to stinky cheese, plus dedicated playtime, Play Under the Moon for toddlers.

Esteemed classical pianist David McEntee will present a carefully curated programme inspired by Jerram’s work. The recital will feature Debussy's iconic Clair de Lune, Beethoven's celebrated Moonlight Sonata and a selection from beloved film scores.

This special event marks the closing night of the installation’s visit to St Canice’s Cathedral, fittingly coinciding with the New Moon on March 29. Museum of the Moon by Luke Jerram is open daily from March 10-29. The exhibit is free with admission to St Canice’s Cathedral.

For more information visit stcanicescathedral.ie/museum-of-the-moon.
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