A six metre version of Helios specially commissioned for Cork Midsummer Festival was presented at St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral from 9 – 21 June 2025. Each centimetre of the six-metre sculpture represents 2,300km of the real Sun’s surface.
Viewers were able to visit Helios on the summer solstice, 21 June, from dawn until dusk – 4.30am to 10.30pm. There were also talks, concerts and school visits which took place beneath the artwork.
Helios is co-commissioned by Cork Midsummer Festival and is the fourth Irish premiere of Luke Jerram’s work at the festival. Previous collaborations include: Museum of the Moon (presented in partnership with MTU, in 2016), 1000 Flowers (2018) and Gaia (presented by Belvelly Castle in partnership with St Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh, in 2022).