Countdown to Luxmuralis show making its Irish debut in Kilkenny

Luxmuralis will return to St Canice’s Cathedral this December after the incredible success of last year's Starlight ‘son et lumiere’ (sound and light show), which drew over 13,500 people into one of Kilkenny’s most popular heritage buildings.

With just weeks to go until the city’s Yulefest celebration, The Gift by Luxmuralis in St Canice’s Cathedral is a brand-new 45-minute immersive Christmas light show making its Irish debut in Kilkenny from December 11 to 19, alongside festive food, shopping, the Yulefest market, and Christmas entertainment across the city. The Christmas experience is designed for families, friends and couples looking for something special to do together in the festive season. Tickets are now available from St Canice’s Cathedral. Organisers say people should book early as many popular time slots sold out last year.

The Gift by Luxmuralis is an immersive Christmas experience that explores themes of generosity, hope, family, and togetherness through magical sound-and-light storytelling.

Inside the cathedral's 800-year-old walls, visitors will step into enchanting winter scenes filled with snowflakes, celebrations, Christmas trees, and seasonal moments that capture the excitement and magic of Christmas. Every column, wall, arch and flagstone will become a moving canvas with festive imagery of stars, angels, and travellers bearing gifts.

“The cathedral has always been a place where art has had the opportunity to shine, and where people have come to look beyond themselves, to find meaning and beauty beyond the ordinary,” said the Very Reverend Stephen Farrell, Dean of Ossory.

“The cathedral is a beautiful setting for the captivating light installation, coming for its Irish premiere. The glorious story of The Gift teases out timely themes of giving, generosity, kindness, and appreciation.Luxmuralis is utterly immersive, utterly beautiful, and engaging with all the senses. You will be drawn further and further into the artwork and the story. But my hope in all of it is that people from across the county will find within this ancient temple some moment of peace, a moment of connection, something that really grounds them here.”Described as “the stained-glass windows of our time,”

Luxmuralis is an art collective, comprising composer David Harper and Peter Walker. Peter Walker is now a familiar figure in Kilkenny, having brought several installations to St Canice's Cathedral, including the community artwork Peace Doves, which is currently on display until November 7.