An immersive experience of light, sound and fine art projection is set to make its Irish debut in Co Kilkenny.
Starlight will see the 800-year-old interior of St Canice's Cathedral in the city transformed into a "canvas of moving light projections accompanied by a cinematic soundscape" for the next week.
The experience is produced by Luxmuralis, meaning "light mural" in Latin, and is a collaboration between sculptor Peter Walker and composer David Harper.
Together, they create large-scale and immersive fine art experiences using the latest projection technology and original compositions.
The 360° 'experience is said to take audiences through "a shifting landscape of stars, constellations and projections inspired by the nativity".
Productions created by Luxmuralis have been viewed by over 1.2 million people across the world in venues including Oxford University, the Limburg Dom in Germany and The Tower of London.
Mr Walker, the Artistic Director, said the 35-minute Starlight experience is more than just a light show.
He said: "It combines fine art tradition with contemporary storytelling, offering an unforgettable Christmas experience that appeals to families, art lovers and festival goers alike.
"Audiences are not simply spectators; they become part of the art itself as they walk through these sensory stories."
The Dean of St Canice's Cathedral said Starlight will be a "spectacular, fully immersive work of art inside a building that is already incredibly beautiful and awe-inspiring".
Very Reverend Stephen Farrell added that he hopes "people from across Ireland come and spend time in the peace of the cathedral, in a totally immersive light and soundscape, to ponder for themselves that age-old promise we celebrate at Christmas".
Aileen McGrath, Head of Enterprise with Kilkenny County Council, said she was delighted that the county is the first to introduce this work to Irish audiences.
Ms McGrath said: "Kilkenny has a long tradition of supporting the arts and St Canice's Cathedral provides a fitting setting for an installation of this kind.
"The piece brings together heritage, creativity and community, all qualities closely associated with Kilkenny."
She said there is a hope people "from near and far will come to experience Starlight and enjoy what promises to be a memorable part of the Christmas season".
Starlight runs at St Canice's Cathedral until 21 December as part of Yulefest Kilkenny, with tickets now on sale.
Yulefest Kilkenny is the city and county's programme of Christmas events, which also includes markets, concerts and family activities that are organised by Kilkenny County Council.
