Kildare artist's exhibition to mark re-opening of Round Tower

Kildare artist Greg Hallahan presents ‘Beacon of Light’, which marks the reopening of the Round Tower in Kildare Town after more than a year of meticulous renovation.

For this installation, original artworks have been reimagined as transparent, stained-glass–inspired pieces. Set within the Round Tower’s nine windows, each work offers a distinct vision of Brigid, embodying her power, resilience, and kindness.

At the top of the Round Tower, a rooftop installation portrays The King Oak, one of Ireland’s largest and most iconic oak trees in Tullamore. This work evokes the sensation of standing beneath a great oak tree, forging a symbolic link to Cill Dara “the Church of the Oak”, the ancient name for Kildare where St Brigid founded her monastery beside a sacred oak. 

The ascent to the summit forms part of the experience. As visitors climb the tower’s narrow and steep 108-foot staircase, the wind grows in strength. At the top, the full force of the elements are revealed, amplifying the connection between nature and history. Through the interplay of light, space, and imagery, the exhibition invites visitors to reflect on Brigid’s role as a unifying symbol in Irish heritage, creating a dialogue between tradition and innovation and encouraging contemplation on the values she embodies and their continued relevance in the modern world'.