When designing the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion, the corporation wanted to incorporate cultural and tourism themes typically associated with Cape Breton Island. They commissioned a study to look into what residents consider to be the unique aspects of the culture of the island. The research response reflected, not surprisingly, the strength of the association of images of hospitality, music and culture, and ocean scenes with Cape Breton Island. The number of references to fiddles and lighthouses was so frequent that the study consultants recommended that representations of these icons be incorporated into the new facility. The Board agreed with this approach and as a result a we now have the World’s Largest Fiddle on our dockside and a Lighthouse Theatre inside the pavilion.
It was felt that the fiddle should be officially named and, following consultations with Hector McNeil a professor of Gaelic studies at UCCB, the name was selected. The Gaelic word Ceilidh has as its original meaning “visit” – the common usage though is a visit usually with music and entertainment. The corporation thought it appropriate that this icon located at the site where many people start their first visit to Cape Breton carry a name that reflected these connections. Hence the name FIDHEAL MHOR A’ CEILIDH or the Big Fiddle of the Ceilidh. The fiddle dimensions had to be of a scale that would fit with the magnitude of a cruise ship alongside dock.
It was further determined that FIDHEAL MHOR A’ CEILIDH be commissioned or ‘tuned’ at its naming ceremony with a dedicated medley. A local musician, Kinnon Beaton, was asked to compose the Sydney Ports Medley. This medley consists of a march, a stratespey, and a reel. The corporation made a decision to name these tunes in honour of people from the community who were involved in the early efforts towards developing cruise ship activity at Sydney.
The fiddle was designed and constructed by Cyril Hearn of Sydney. The fiddle and the bow reach a height of 60 feet. The construction of the fiddle was videotaped at all stages and a clip is available for media.
Inside the Joan Harriss Cruise Pavilion visitors will discover the Lighthouse Theatre, which shines towards the inner harbour and boardwalk. The lighthouse is based on the Sydney Front Range style and scaled at ½ scale. Its fittings include a replica of a cast iron lantern and a seagull model sits on the finial. The interior is fitted out as an audiovisual theatre, which plays a number of videos including the making of the World’s Largest Fiddle.
