An art project to commemorate the thousands of people who died from Covid-19 has opened in Dublin. The 'Lost Lace' art installation is on display at the Iveagh Gardens and honours each individual life on the island lost during the pandemic.
A total of 10,000 individual white handkerchiefs have been fashioned into a simple white rose and are laid out around a fountain to form an intricate delicate pattern of traditional Irish lace.
The 'Lost lace' installation is a collaborative project between artist Miriam McConnon and the poet Jessica Traynor. "The idea of using the handkerchief comes from the old ‘clooties’ which were hung on the holy wells in Ireland," Ms McConnon said. "In Pagan times, it was believed that they would drive away illness.
So, it's kind of a reference to Irish history as well." Relatives of those who died during the pandemic were emotional as they viewed the installation, describing it as a "perfect tribute" to help them grieve.