The Peace & Reconciliation Garden
The Theme
Intrinsic to this garden is the War Memorial honouring those who died in the two Great Wars and in the Afghanistan Conflict. The War Memorial, as with many on the Island, is associated with a Celtic Cross.
The Design
The garden forms part of the visual approach by pedestrians to the Cathedral from Atholl Street and heightens the drama of approaching the Cathedral’s west front. The garden offers a place for reflection on the hope for peace. The War Memorial Cross also acts as the gnomon of a Sundial. There is a line of setts across the lawn indicating 11am winter time, remembering the Armistice on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Radiating from the War Memorial are three avenues, two of which will terminate with sculptures having the feel of a Knockaloe bone sculpture (created by an internee) representing peace and have the simple phrase: ‘May peace prevail on earth’ in a host of languages carved on the surface. The idea of Peace Poles was first thought of by Masahisa Goi in 1955 in Japan and the movement aims to erect symbols of peace in every city in the world, encouraging people to pray for peace. The third avenue is from the entrance gates.
Today
A Prayer from the Franciscan tradition: ‘Lord, make me an instrument of your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love, Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; And where there is sadness, joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console, to be understood as to understand, to be loved, as to love.’