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Kerry and Mayo tend to hog the dark-sky limelight in Ireland, but there are plenty of places across the island, including County Cork, the Antrim Coast in the north and, in mid-Ulster, the recently-opened OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. Here is my pick of the top 10 places to stargaze in Ireland. For more general advice, read our guide on how ...
Sep 30, 2024 · The island of Ireland is home to two Dark Sky Parks and a Dark Sky Reserve, all accredited by the International Dark Sky Association. Here's a guide on the best spot for stargazers to see the stars.
Jan 9, 2024 · Mid-August, during the Perseid meteor shower, is the best time to stargaze in Ireland. During the winter, the Pleiades constellation is generally visible in the night sky. To guide you through the stargazing spots in Ireland, there’s even an Irish Astronomy Trail, offering a more in-depth route for those seeking an immersive stargazing experience.
- Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve
- Mayo Dark Sky Park
- Om Dark Sky Park and Observatory
Ireland’s first Dark Sky Reserve incorporates a 270-square-mile area of County Kerry in the southwest corner of Ireland. Designated in 2014, the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve is set in an area known for beautiful rugged landscapes and a low population density—just 4,000 people live in the area. The reserve runs along part of the Wild Atlanti...
Mayo Dark Sky Parkextends over roughly 60 square miles of Wild Nephin National Park, stretching from the Nephin Mountain Range across blanket bog (peatland) to the Atlantic coast. Because of the area’s low population and rugged lands unsuitable for farming, its skies are some of the world’s darkest: In 2016, the park was awarded rare Gold Tier stat...
Om Dark Sky Park and Observatoryreceived accreditation in 2020, and it has an observatory and visitor center. The Dark Sky Park’s 3,700-acre area in Davagh Forest in a rural part of the Sperrin Mountains is away from main towns and cities—the nearest town, Cookstown, is eight miles away as the crow flies—and so has low levels of light pollution. Th...
- Kerry Dark-Sky Reserve.
- Mayo Dark-Sky Park.
- Lough Gur, Limerick.
- Antrim Coast. Since 1988, known as an “Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty”, the Antrim Coast is a popular spot for tourists. But this area in the north of Ireland in the County Antrim is also one of the best spots for stargazing.
Jan 3, 2024 · There are a number of locations in Ireland that are internationally recognized for stargazing. The top one is at Wild Nephin National Park in Co Mayo, which is home to Ireland's first International Dark Sky Park. Covering a landscape of over 93 square-miles between the Nephin Mountain Range and the Atlantic coastline, Mayo Dark Sky Park ...
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For astrotourists, the Royal Valentia Hotel on Valentia Island (www.royalvalentia.ie) offers frequent Dark Skies weekend packages, which also includes stargazing on the Skelligs, a paradise for Irish astrophotographers such as Brian Wilson and Anthony Lynch. The OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory in Davagh forest near Omagh, is also accredited ...
