The Galway Cathedral will be transformed from its normal colours of stone and copper green to become a blue temple, in order to mark World Autism Awareness Day.
On Tuesday April 2 the Galway Autism Partnership and Galway Cathedral will light up the building in blue.
Blue is the colour associated with autism, and similar events will be taking place at the Empire State Building in New York, the Sydney Opera House, the Pyramids in Egypt, and the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro.
The official lighting up ceremony and balloon release will take place at the Galway Rowing Club in Woodquay at 8pm, this is to facilitate a view of the cathedral from a distance. The Mayor of Galway Terry O’Flaherty will attend and the Ignite Gospel Choir and local singer songwriter Sara Gerdine will provide the musical entertainment. Light refreshments will be served. The image of the blue cathedral will be captured by award winning professional photographer, Kelvin Gillmor.
Galway Cathedral was designed by JJ Robinson and built on the site of the city’s gaol in 1958 by John Sisk Ltd. The building is unusual for a church of that period and was not built of concrete but of Galway limestone. It was completed in 1965.
“We are delighted to be associated with this project and support the wonderful work of Galway Autism Partnership,” said Canon Peter Rabbitte, parish priest at the cathedral. “It’s an historical event in some respects as I cannot recall the Cathedral changing colour in the past and we are really pleased to be part of this worldwide event.”
The Light it Up Blue event will be preceded by the Galway Autism Partnership’s Easter Family Carnival on Bank Holiday Monday from 1pm to 5pm in The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill. The event is open to the public and will include face painters, a children’s disco, bouncy castle, obstacle course, stilt walkers, and a Galway Aquarium display. There will also be representatives from The Coast Guard, Garda motor bikes, Galway Fire Service, and Civil Defence.
Admission is €3 per person and €10 for a family of four. All proceeds are in aid of Galway Autism Partnership. For further information contact James Hanley on 083 - 1445999.
