Photo: Dixon Pictures/Shutterstock. This prestigious distinction recognizes the park’s world-class stargazing opportunities as well as its commitment to preserving the darkness through educational programs and responsible outdoor lighting. Even the pathways along the rim were floodlit. The Ballycroy National Park and Wild Nephin Wilderness have been jointly awarded by the International Dark-Sky Association as the first, Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park in Ireland, known as Mayo International Dark Sky Park. Official Homepage: http://www.mayodarkskypark.ie/, Even though are supposedly settlers since 4000 BC around Lough Gur, there is literally nothing around it. All of these events are accessible to the public and involve some element of observing and stargazing should weather permit. Approximately 3 hours More Info. If you are visiting The Cherry Springs State Park for stargazing, you should visit in August to witness the Perseids meteor shower. The park, one of the UK's International Dark Sky Reserves, is also hosts its own Dark Skies Festival - it's set to take place from the 16th-31st October 2020. Far away from urban "light pollution," these 23 places (from Namibia to the Grand Canyon) are the best in the world to gaze at the stars under dark skies. Dress warmly with plenty of layers, hat, gloves & scarf. Spanning Nevada, much of Oregon and Utah, and sections of California, Idaho, and Wyoming, the Great Basin is the largest area of contiguous endorheic watersheds in North America. And if you are already there, you can try feeding some Connemara-Ponies or drink some Connemara-Whiskey, for which this region is famous for. The start time will vary according to the season but will be between 19.00 and 23.00. With 4,500 sparkling attractions to see in the night sky, we pick out some of the best stargazing spots in the UK and across the world. Good footwear recommended. 2. By day: Nearby Ballyhoura and Liscarroll offer beautiful natural trails and walks, while Limerick itself – capital of the mid-west – is half an hour’s drive. Since 1988, known as an “Area of Oustanding Natural Beauty”, the Antrim Coast is a popular spot for tourists. Contact; Dark Sky Park; Discover; Groups; Learn; Schools; Viewing Points; Visit; Visitor Centre; News; Whats On; Shuttle Bus; Festival; CONTACT INFO. Great Basin National Park in Nevada hosts some of the darkest skies in the western continental U.S. Low humidity levels, dark skies, and high elevation make optimal stargazing conditions. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. PC:Yun Xu. Enjoy a journey out across the universe to visit star systems, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies far beyond our own through one of our large telescopes. Stargazing is something for the bucket list and, if you have never done it before, you will be amazed by the sheer beauty of the night sky. Sagarmatha National Park, Nepal. A secluded utopia for stargazing and appreciating the natural nighttime environment, the Dark Sky Reserve is home to some 33,000 residents and is within easy access of over a million people. If you like stargazing, maybe you are also interested in buying a star in Ireland? Great Basin National Park was deemed to be the best stargazing hot spot in the US. The county hosts the Burren, a magnificent expanse of limestone slabs and giant boulders that looks otherworldly, especially near the Mars-like Fanore beach. There are special nights with astronomy programs that you can check out to use the telescopes. With only 131,802 yearly visitors, this park is one of the best to stargaze from without being disturbed by other visitors. Photo: OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory. This map shows the locations of stargazing events taking place in the next 30 days. The area is also a hub for sailing, kayaking and scuba diving. By day: Visit the iconic Giant’s Causeway and stop for a dram at Bushmills, Ireland’s oldest whiskey distillery, or test your nerves crossing the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge. Where the darkest skies reveal the brightest stars. By day: Birr Castle is home to the famous 19th-century Great Leviathan telescope, as well as beautiful gardens and nature walks, or wet your whistle at the Tullamore Dew whiskey distillery and visitor centre. Stargazing is on the up – and it's not all down to Professor Brian Cox and BBC2's Stargazing LIVE. And then more lighting. The map below shows places to go stargazing in Northern Ireland including observatories, officially recognised dark sky locations and recommended sites. More info: www.irelandsancienteast.com; www.visitwicklow.ie; www.irishastrosoc.org. More info: www.mayodarkskypark.ie; www.wildatlanticway.com; www.greenway.ie. By day: Take a trip to nearby Doolin Cave, featuring Europe’s largest stalactite, or Aillwee Cave for its birds of prey displays to educate and excite visiting families. According to IDA, the largely untouched Susquehannock State Forest offers about 60 to 85 nights of high-quality dark-sky stargazing each year. Great Basin National Park, Nevada. Chile is a dream stargazing destination with places like the Equil Valley and the Atacama Desert within its borders. Dark Sky & Stargazing Cottages. This map shows stargazing locations that are publicly accessible of a night-time. By day: Visit nearby Dublin or explore Ireland’s Ancient East via the walking trails through the beautiful Wicklow Mountains. Click on to find out where the best stargazing spots are. In addition to these pristine conditions, the park offers a selection of free programs including ranger-led telescope viewings. More info: www.shannonsideastronomyclub.com; www.doolincave.ie;  www.aillweecave.ie. The site is … More info: www.thesheepsheadway.ie; www.corkastronomyclub.com; www.fotawildlife.ie. What they might not know is that the area is one of the best places in Northern Ireland for stargazing, with Carrick-a-Rede itself having been classified as Dark Sky Discovery Site in 2014. Davagh Forest Park Becomes First International Dark Sky Place in Northern Ireland; Comet Neowise; Trinity Talks Science Light pollution podcast; About Dark Skies in Ireland . Davagh Forest Park and Beaghmore Stone Circles – The Forest offers an observatory and visitor centre, as well as Bronze Age stone circles. Sahara Desert. For stargazing at Mount Cook, head to Big Sky Stargazing (opens in new window) at the foot of Mount Cook or join one of Dark Sky Project (opens in new window) (formerly Earth & Sky) tours at Tekapo's Mount John Observatory. Mayo is now home to Ireland’s first International Dark Sky Park, showcasing some of the darkest, most pristine skies in the world. But this area in the north of Ireland in the County Antrim is also one of the best spots for stargazing. Each year the Skellig Star party takes place at Ballinskelligs, featuring quality speakers and observing sessions: it’s an astrophotographer’s paradise. Spanning Nevada, much of Oregon and Utah, and sections of California, Idaho, and Wyoming, the Great Basin is the largest area of contiguous endorheic watersheds in North America. Stars, dark skies, and the moon have been drawing imaginations of people in Ireland since ancient times,. Many of these places host stargazing events. Altarichard Forest Car Park. This article originally appeared in the May 2017 issue of BBC Sky at Night Magazine. Stargazing park with Northern Lights experience to open in Ireland The park is set in the foothills of Co Tyrone’s Sperrin Mountains in Davagh Forest and is one of just 78 across the world and the second on the island of Ireland. The ranking was created using data on the number of park visitors, accessibility, and light pollution. Email: Kerrydarkskytourism@yahoo.ie Phone +353 0872582835. With minimal light pollution, big open skies and dazzling starry displays the Lake District National Park enjoys some of the best stargazing opportunities in the UK. Nearest campsite: Culzean Castle Club Site. Rugged and unspoiled landscapes lead to less light pollution and you can get an exceptional view on many stars and figures. Park officials have initiated the process of completely eliminating all light pollution at the park so that guests have access to the best views possible. This brand new tour is an ideal winter wonderland evening for your group The evening starts with a hearty supper in Newport's Grainnuaile Gastro-pub featuring some of the Gourmet Greenway food producers. While many areas are forested, opt for a lakeshore, parking lot, or meadow for a more expansive view. Sophisticated telescopes are increasingly cheaper, … Visit historical buildings such as Derrynane House or stroll along the stunning beaches that County Kerry has to offer. In October 2018, Dark Sky Ireland was formed as a national and cross-border partnership of stakeholder groups across the island of Ireland. Cherry Springs State Park has about 85 nights a year, with perfect conditions for stargazing and astronomy. More info: www.kerrydarksky.com; www.kerryastronomyclub.com; www.skelligsislands.com. Visit Ireland's only Dark Sky Park Laser pointer tour of night sky constellations Visit darkest sites Dark Sky ranger guides Starlight Express transport ake away stargazing guides Duration. This makes the park very dark and perfect for stargazing. The site is … Share This Page on Facebook. Despite its proximity to the city of Limerick, Lough Gur is dark because it is nestled amongst the hills of Knockfennel and Knockadoon, shielding it from light pollution. Sadly, we have to let you know that 2020 will be the last year of trading in Ireland for Park Christmas Savings. Just a few miles out of town you’ll also find the fully accessible Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre, home to the world-famous Lovell Telescope. For more info: www.irishastro.org.uk; www.bushmills.com/distillery; www.discovernorthernireland.com. They have their own observatory and car park, and host bi-monthly observing sessions. WHO WE ARE. Chile is a dream stargazing destination with places like the Equil Valley and the Atacama Desert within its borders. The Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies supports Dunsink Observatory in County Dublin for events such as Solarfest, hosting international speakers and public observing sessions. But this area in the north of Ireland in the County Antrim is also one of the best spots for stargazing. Clear skies! By day: Visit colourful Galway with its pubs, traditional music and food markets, or for breathtaking scenery drive through the Doolough Valley to Delphi Adventure Centre. HIKING, STARGAZING & CULTURAL TOURS OF IRELAND. Name A Star & Be Remebered Forever - The #1 Gift In The Universe, on Best 5 Places For Stargazing in Ireland, 3 Famous Tourist Attractions Around Dublin. Clothing. Kerry Dark Sky Park, Ireland. The logic is simple enough, the clearer and darker the night sky the better the opportunity for stargazing. To go stargazing, all you need is to put yourself outside under a clear sky, but the experience can be made a lot more comfortable with a bit of forward planning and preparation. Where the darkest skies reveal the brightest stars. An important update from us about Park Christmas Savings Ireland. The best spots in the UK for stargazing have emerged with people encouraged to take a break from daily life and gaze into the cosmos - and also improve their well-being. My experiences of the night sky at St Finian’s Bay in the 1980s will remain in my soul forever. It could be a coach trip, or a group of people meeting in a certain place with a tour guide? Gastronomy & Astronomy. Our dark sky calendar helps you identify the best nights to go stargazing, this when there is no bright Moon at night and when the Sun has set enough so that twilight does not affect observations. Kerry Dark Sky Park, Ireland. Brecon Beacons National Park, an International Dark Sky Reserve, Wales (2013) Brecon Beacons International Dark Sky Reserve. Away from the bright lights of Dublin, Kerry Dark Sky Park is located on the far southwestern coast of Ireland. Members of the Irish Astronomical Society observe close to the national park and offer monthly public viewings in Dublin. it is currently filing for Dark Sky Park status. By day: The ancient monuments of the Hill of Tara are worth a visit, or try a spot of zip lining, archery, climbing and other outdoor activities at Loughcrew Adventure Centre. When we look at the night sky, how far back in time can we see? This region is part of Ireland’s Ancient East, and within the park is the stunning and historic Glendalough monastic site with its beautiful lakes and walks. The area is also one of two regions designated as Milky Way Class by the Dark Sky Discovery Partnership, meaning our Galaxy is visible on clear nights with the naked eye. Stargazing Forest Dome, Finn Lough Resort, Northern Ireland Brecon Beacons is situated in a part of south Wales where sheep outnumber people 30 to 1. What they might not know is that the area is one of the best places in Northern Ireland for stargazing, with Carrick-a-Rede itself having been classified as Dark Sky Discovery Site in 2014. 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