dr_urbanus (Martin)
Blackrock Millennium Sundial
Located in the centre of the promenade in the small seaside town of Blackrock, Co. Louth. This unique feature, erected during 2000 to mark the millennium year, is believed to be the largest sundial in a public place in Ireland.
The artwork is 7.3 metres in diameter with a three-metre high gnomon (the part which casts the shadow) comprising a bronze sculpture of a female diving figure created by artist Tanya Nyegaard, on a hexagonal stone pedestal. The inscription on the pedestal reads:
"Anno Domini 2000
To commemorate the jubilee of the birth of Christ, and to mark the beginning of a new millennium"
An old Irish saying on the 'face' of the sundial relates the linkage between time and the sea: 'Ag tuile is ag trá a chaitheann an fharraige an lá' ('Flowing and ebbing is how the sea spends the day'). A glass time capsule is incorporated into the foundation of the sundial, containing pictures and other items collected from local people during 2000. The name Aisling was assigned to the sculpture following a poll in the town in 2001.
I tried to think of a witty/profound title referencing time but couldn't, besides the obvious 'Time waits for no man' etc. As it happened, time was tight and this was a flying visit to Blackrock, as I had to head on down the road. It looks like a lovely, vibrant town though and one I'd like to revisit.
Blackrock Millennium Sundial
Located in the centre of the promenade in the small seaside town of Blackrock, Co. Louth. This unique feature, erected during 2000 to mark the millennium year, is believed to be the largest sundial in a public place in Ireland.
The artwork is 7.3 metres in diameter with a three-metre high gnomon (the part which casts the shadow) comprising a bronze sculpture of a female diving figure created by artist Tanya Nyegaard, on a hexagonal stone pedestal. The inscription on the pedestal reads:
"Anno Domini 2000
To commemorate the jubilee of the birth of Christ, and to mark the beginning of a new millennium"
An old Irish saying on the 'face' of the sundial relates the linkage between time and the sea: 'Ag tuile is ag trá a chaitheann an fharraige an lá' ('Flowing and ebbing is how the sea spends the day'). A glass time capsule is incorporated into the foundation of the sundial, containing pictures and other items collected from local people during 2000. The name Aisling was assigned to the sculpture following a poll in the town in 2001.
I tried to think of a witty/profound title referencing time but couldn't, besides the obvious 'Time waits for no man' etc. As it happened, time was tight and this was a flying visit to Blackrock, as I had to head on down the road. It looks like a lovely, vibrant town though and one I'd like to revisit.