Peace Doves – St Canice’s Cathedral, Kilkenny, Ireland

Thousands of handmade Peace Doves carrying messages of hope and unity transformed the 800-year-old interior of St Canice’s Cathedral into a breath-taking community art installation. The messages of hope were submitted all summer long from the people of Kilkenny and beyond.

10,000 handwritten messages of peace were suspended high above the medieval interior at St Canice’s Cathedral in the art installation created in collaboration with the community.

Making its Irish debut, Peace Doves, has already been experienced by over half a million people in venues across the UK.

The participatory artwork was created over the summer months with local schools, community groups, businesses, individuals and visitors to the cathedral. It featured thousands of handwritten messages of peace on bespoke white-paper doves.

The contemporary artwork was accompanied by original music from composer David Harper.

The Dean of Ossory, the Very Reverend Stephen Farrell, said the installation has completely transformed the Cathedral. “These thousands of doves look mesmerising in this beautiful space, but more than that, spending time with them will help us to look up, beyond ourselves, and encourage us to seek peace and understanding.

Each dove carries a personal story of hope, remembrance, grief or peace. Under the beautiful cathedral ceiling, they have created a new canopy that combines light, sound, and the emotions of thousands of people who have contributed to this community artwork.“

Click on an image below for a larger version