Ireland – A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ireland and Seamus Reck of Lx2000 Stage Lighting Hire recently teamed up to supply and install the lighting for Saint Fin Barre’s Cathedral in Cork. Since they couldn’t demonstrate the fixtures properly until phase one of the installation was finished, this project was particularly exciting and challenging!

Which fixtures to use?

Lighting supply for the Cathedral posed a difficult task from the outset when it was determined that the fixtures were to be installed at 12m high with the only access being a cherry-picker. Additionally, the brief also included making sure that the lighting would enhance live-streaming, while not obstructing sightlines from the rear gallery. Wired DMX was going to be tricky!

When it came to deciding what type of lighting to use for their installation, the team used their expert knowledge, in consultation with the client, to assess the project and looked at two options from PROLIGHTS: the EclPanel TWC Jr and the ArcPod27Q. Unable to demo either fixture in situ, they demonstrated the EclPanels (with onboard W-DMX receivers) on stands in order to get an idea of what the result would be like. To get a better understanding of how the light would look once installed, the team then used Dialux software to render a proposed plan.

The Cathedrals requirements

The EclPanels were replacing a mixture of 20 defunct HID floods and 1st generation LED floods. The replacement fixtures not only had to improve the lighting but also needed to provide a consistent output and reach the desired brightness levels for the congregation to read service sheets. Very Revd Nigel Dunne, the Cathedral’s Dean, wanted a warm white as a daytime setting as opposed to the cool white colour temperature created by existing fixtures.

One of the main attractions of installing the EclPanels was their ability to change colour, creating a more dynamic atmosphere and enabling the Cathedral to have different themes around special times of the year and for events such as concerts and recitals.

Running costs

The running costs of the fixtures were a consideration too, especially as the Cathedral may be operational for over 12 hours a day. The simplicity of the EclPanels, the level of output, colour, ease of control and the low-impact installation eventually won the job.

Where the fixtures were used

Choral recitals, performances and concerts are popular events at the Cathedral, making quality lighting a must. With that in mind, four PROLIGHTS EclPanel TWC MINI2X1 fixtures were installed to illuminate the choir stalls, while two PROLIGHTS EclPanel TWC Jr are used for front lighting the high altar. Two PROLIGHTS DisplayCobWW provide back lighting for the celebrant at the high altar and one PROLIGHTS ARCPOD27Q lights the ornate ceiling metres above.

The control solution

The Vista by Chroma-Q MV was chosen as the lighting control solution due to its user-friendly, “app-like” interface which allows users of all levels to easily get the desired look. The system was pre-programmed off-site and can be accessed remotely for troubleshooting, upgrades, and reprogramming when needed. The Dean was also pleased with Vista’s ability to be easily expanded for other areas of lighting in the Cathedral.

Working together

Lx2000 Stage Lighting Hire and A.C. Entertainment Technologies Ireland succeeded in creating something extraordinary. Their collaboration far exceeded expectations, transforming the Cathedral into a space fit for hosting any event or performance with the dynamic lighting and control they needed.