Sunrise through the spear

It was looking like disappointment from very early on. An absolutely clear sky everywhere ... except for the big bank of cloud over towards Wicklow. For the surprisingly large crowd that turned out from six onwards on this spring equinox morning, it seemed the only consolation would be the crisp fresh air.

But, as if the gods of ancient times were playing with us, teasing and then relenting, the cloud bank first edged pink and gold and then seemingly retreated as the sun rose and conquered it. And we got our first glimpse of what sculptor Noel Scullion had intended and painstakingly measured and cut for.

At first just a brightness, then a starburst, Sol shone straight through the hole in the javelin sculpture, into the mouth of the four-faced 'life' section and out to the west, the arrival and departure of the soul.

It was plain awesome. And while nothing special had been planned for this first equinox of the sculpture commissioned by Kilcullen Community Action, it was uniquely special indeed and a real privilege to be there this morning.

Newgrange has been doing its tricks with the sun for thousands and thousands of years. Noel's javelin sculpture at the Dun Ailline Interpretive Park is a newbie at it. But it's great to have been there at the beginning. There's always only one first time.

Thanks, Noel (fourth from the right, with the camera), and everybody else involved, for bringing this noble concept to our town.



Brian Byrne.

(There's a sequence here.)