Today on the Winter Solstice a brand new ‘flying clock’ named Tempus Fugit (Time Flies) is being unveiled by the Mayor of Waterford, Councillor John O’Leary, horologists David Boles and Colman Curran and a representative of Fáilte Ireland at the Irish Museum of Time in Waterford.
The clock, which has been designed by artists Eithne Ring and Liam Lavery of Cork and created by Keating Fabrication in Waterford, is an elaborate design featuring wings spanning about six metres; the wings are made up of seven steel dials each. It will chime on the hour and once the sun sets visitors can admire the colourful lighting on the wings and main clock face.
Speaking of the new clock and its relevance for the solstice, Director of Waterford Treasures Museum Collection Eamonn McEneaney says: “Over 7,000 years ago our first farmers celebrated the Winter Solstice as a major turning point in the year. It heralded longer days and the beginning of a new cycle of growth. As Ireland’s Museum of Time, we are delighted to continue to celebrate the Winter Solstice and its significance to timekeeping. The sun has always been tremendously important to the telling of time and for centuries watch- and clock-makers have relied on it to calibrate their timepieces. We would like to thank David Boles, co-founder of the Irish Museum of Time, and Fáilte Ireland, without whose support this sculpture would not have been possible."
Funding for the creation of the imaginative clock has been very generously supported by Fáilte Ireland’s Urban Animation Scheme and by horologist David Boles and has been supported by Waterford City and County Council.
Ciara Sugrue, Head of Festivals and Events, “Urban animation plays an increasingly important role in transforming and reimagining our public spaces as safe, welcoming and vibrant places to visit. This is important in attracting visitors to our towns and cities and increasing dwell time, to support local tourism and hospitality businesses and jobs. The new clock is part of Fáilte Ireland’s Urban Animation project “City of Lights” in Waterford City, which is due to launch in 2023. Waterford is Ireland’s oldest city and this project will bring old tales to life in new, innovative ways, so they can be enjoyed by visitors, as well as the local community.”
In addition to the clock unveiling the city will celebrate the solstice in a collaborative event planned by the Waterford City Arts Office, the Waterford Treasures Irish Museum of Time and the Winterval festival with live music and the new clock counting down to a Winter Fire Dance fireworks display on the City’s Quayside adjacent to the Irish Museum of Time.
Members of the public are invited to join the occasion where the new clock will be unveiled following a performance from the Thomas Francis Meagher Fife and Drum Band at Greyfriars while on the Plaza the will also be live music performances from 7 pm.
Following the unveiling of the clock, once the chimes complete a countdown to the fireworks at 9 pm the city will be alight as the Winter Solstice is celebrated.
This is the 2nd year of the Winter Firedance - the award-nominated celebration of the December Solstice. There will be great music on the William Vincent Wallace Plaza from 8 pm culminating with the spectacular 'Skydance' Fireworks display at 9 pm sharp.
The Winterval festival will also remain open late until 9.30 pm on the evening of December 21st with discounts on fairground rides from 6 pm that evening.
Billed as Ireland’s largest Christmas festival, Winterval in Waterford offers a trail of 38 events with 25 on offer free of charge in addition to the special one-off events to celebrate the festival’s 10th birthday celebrations from November 18th to December 23rd.
The full Winterval Festival programme is available to view at www.winterval.ie and further details on the new clock Tempus Fugit (Time Flies) can be found at www.waterfordtreasures.com
Meanwhile, Winter Firedance events are also taking place in Dungarvan this evening.
An outdoor concert will take place on the Quay beginning at around 6 o'clock.
There'll also be a special guest appearance from Santa, followed by a fireworks display at 9pm.
This is the second year of Winter Firedance - the award-nominated celebration of the December Solstice.
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