The first piece is underway on Carey’s Lane.

Work has commenced on a series of five large-scale artworks that will be installed in Cork city centre spots between now and December as part of Cork City Council’s Island City, Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail.

Contemporary Irish artist, Niamh McCann will create a suspended, lane-length sculptural piece that will take its form from the architecture, topography and incidental features along the length of the lane.

Sentinals in the form of birds will nod to Cork City’s diverse and migratory history.

The project is intended to enhance the city centre by providing an experience that is “arresting, intriguing and playful” whilst illuminating the city’s unique heritage.

Collectively, the sculptures will create a series of experiences to be enjoyed in daylight and after dark.

Cork’s National Sculpture Factory has been engaged by the City Council to support the project and four of the five sculptures were commissioned following a process conducted in 2022.

What’s next?

Later this year, Urban Mirror by Berlin-based Plattenbaustudio will take the coloured facades and intimate scale of Coal Quay as its starting point and reinterpret Cornmarket Street as a room without a roof containing a free-form table, held in place by an oversized “pin” with a coloured globe of light at its top.

Fiona Mulholland will populate the façade of the Exchange Building on Princes Street with large-scale sculptural reliefs, while Forerunner intends a present-day rupture within the cityscape on Cook Street with Boom Nouveau – a series of sculptures based on tangible everyday urban street features which mimic natural forms.

Island City, Cork’s Urban Sculpture Trail will see the temporary artworks remain in situ for a period of five years, forming a unique trail through the city streets.