Labyrinths - Pathways of Light

Over 30 community groups, primary and secondary schools, retirement homes and individuals signed up to design and display a Labyrinth as part of Solas - Festival of Light.

The Labyrinths were created in all shapes and sizes, using materials varying from the ordinary to the bizarre. From labyrinths, which could be traced with a finger, to those, which could be walked through, Labyrinths were sketched with chalk or paint, shaped with personal belongings or created with paper, sand, candles and even potatoes!

A Labyrinth is a pathway with twists and turns which leads to a centre. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has no cul-de-sac so the twisting path will always lead to the centre.

From 15 - 21 December, all participants in Labyrinths - Pathways of Light event exhibited their works at various locations around the city, both at indoor and outdoor locations, by day and by night. A number of specially commissioned Labyrinths, designed by local Cork artists, were also on display around the city. Locations included shopping centres, hotels, public parks and city centre streets with some labyrinths being projected onto buildings. These labyrinths were accessible to the public, all day every day for the duration of the week. Some labyrinths were lit at night and various performances and ceremonies took place in labyrinths by the groups who designed them.

Some of the commissioned Labyrinths on display included:

Bishop Lucey Park - Chalk Labyrinth by Neil & Alan Dwyer
Blackpool Shopping Centre - Labyrinth projected onto building
Bus Eireann - Labyrinth projected onto building (evenings)
City Hall - Hanging Labyrinth
Clarion Hotel - Labyrinth Projected indoors
Cork Airport - Labyrinth projected onto building (evenings)
Cork Film Centre - Commissioned work from Film centre, projection on to window
Cork 2005 Offices - Labyrinth projected onto building (evenings)
Labyrinths - Pathways of Light - Chalk Labyrinth by Paul Drohan
Labyrinths - Pathways of Light, O’Sullivan’s Quay - Hanging Labyrinth
Labyrinths - Pathways of Light - Chalk Labyrinth
Labyrinths - Pathways of Light - Commissioned Labyrinth by Frances Murphy (10am - 5pm)
Labyrinths - Pathways of Light - Labyrinth created by Willow Dreams, Roseanne Lynch & St. Mary’s On the Hill National School, Knocknaheeny
Vodafone, Winthrop St - Labyrinth projected onto building (evenings)

Additional, commissioned Labyrinths were also be on display at different intervals around the City during the week. Other organisations who created their own unique Labyrinths included Scoil Mhuire; Foroige Girls Club, Mahon; Cope Foundation; Mount Mercy College; Bon Secours Sisters; L’Arche Cork;Rockboro Primary School Gaelschoil Mhachan and many more.

‘Labyrinths - Pathways of Light’ culminated in a celebratory event at City Hall on 21 December, where the labyrinths were showcased in a special display and all participants will be presented with a Certificate of Participation for their involvement.

Labyrinths - Pathways of Light

Credit Michael MacSweeney, Provision

Frinailla Developments

Kenny Group

Wilton Shopping Centre