The ‘Museum of the Moon’, a breath-taking installation by artist Luke Jerram, opened on March 10th 2025 for an exclusive three-week exhibit at Kilkenny’s St. Canice’s Cathedral. And local creatives are planning a spectacular show to welcome the celestial art piece.
The large-scale installation is dramatically suspended three metres from the ground above head height. The luminous artwork features detailed NASA imagery of the lunar surface. Artist Luke Jerram’s multidisciplinary practice involves the creation of sculptures, installations and live arts projects. Luke creates artworks at all scales, that deliver messages and inspire communities to recognise often challenging concepts. With many of his latest artworks, including ‘Gaia’, ‘Oil Fountain’ and ‘This Way Forward’, Jerram has been using his skills in visual communication to draw attention to planetary health. The artwork ‘Museum of the Moon’ is one of Luke’s most successful projects to catch the public’s imagination, so far it has been presented in different ways, more than 300 times in 30 different countries including England, Latvia, India, Belgium, and Australia and been experienced by more than 20 million people worldwide.
Over 2 million people visited the artwork when it was presented at the National History Museum in the UK, making it one of their most popular exhibits ever! Artist Luke Jerram is known worldwide for his large-scale public engagement artworks.
As part of this exciting event, MórScéal Productions – formerly known as Core Theatre – will present the world premier of their unique play entitled The Nine Moons of Ago. Written by Georgina Brennan Stynes, directed by Michael Somers, and with a production team led by Willie Ryan the play features 40 local actors, musicians, dancers and tradespeople.
Producer Willie Ryan said “We were thrilled to accept the opportunity when it came our way. Kilkenny is such a special place, and we want to enrich our community. St. Canice’s Cathedral has been incredibly supportive, both with our last production The Witch Hunt for Alice Kytler and now with The Nine Moons of Ago.”
Georgina has crafted a story rooted in local mythology and the eight Celtic festivals exploring how our ancestors might have related to the moon for farming, tides, and its influence on prehistoric societies.
“Various cultures across the globe have deep historical, cultural, and spiritual ties to the moon and Georgina has woven a story of both Irish and global rituals and reverence around the moon giving a nod to several cultures throughout the play but with cultural sensitivity and respect,” said Director Michael Somers.
The Nine Moons of Ago showcases the profound relationship of humankind, the fairy realm and the moon in the context of Kilkenny and the ancient Kingdom of Ossory. In the village of Ago, residents pay tribute to the moon and the Celtic wheel of the year, all while being watched over by the fairy realm.
“This rich history offers valuable lessons about the magic that today’s society yearns for,” said writer Georgina who used her Archaeological background to good effect in crafting the work. “There are aspects of this play that will resonate with audiences who watch the nightly news and wonder how things in the past are echoed today. It also explores the idea that in a time when magic and rituals may feel far away, we realise that just because we can’t see something, it doesn’t mean it isn’t real. This work echoes WB Yeats and Lady Gregory’s explorations of the fairy realm as well as influences from Greek Roman, Egyptian and Native American writers and researchers,” she continued.
In a limited run, The Nine Moons of Ago will be performed every Tuesday night during the installation. It will open the event on March 11th, and continue on the 18th and 25th. Tickets are €20 plus fees on Eventbrite. All queries should be made to 083 408 2641.
Cast:
Brigid – Megan Kelly
The Egyptian – Sarah Bergin
Weaver/Oak Queen/Green woman – Catriona Walsh
Wicker Man/Holly King – Paul Behan
Baker – Natasha Murray
Blacksmith – Ben Nunan
High Fairy Seelie – Liane Murphy
Village Bard – Kellie Butler Thery
The Divine King of Ossory – Carlos Mateus
Tailte – Dubhlacha Stynes
The Eclipse – Michael Conway
The Ghost – Nicci St George Smith (accompanied by Oksana)
The Two Wolves – Edwina Hopkinson and Paul Daly
The Fairy Queen Rhiannon – Aisling O’Halloran
Cuan – Kevin Tynan
Woodsman/The Light Soldier – Trevor Murtagh
Supermoon – Micheal Somers
The Time Keeper/Villager – Aoife Harte
The Reaper/Villager – Stafford Kelly
Death Soldiers – Stafford Kelly, Trevor Murtagh
The Cailleach – Delia Lowery
The Fairy – puppet provided by Carlos Mateus
Ghosts – bamboo lights made by Carpenter Chris Stynes
Musicians – The Maudlin Bards and friends
Dancers – cast and local set dancers
