Ireland: A Paradise for Stargazers—Here’s Where to Enjoy the Celestial Show

With its remote, rugged terrains and sparse population, Ireland boasts night skies of remarkable clarity. On a clear evening, you can observe distant constellations, witness meteor showers, count satellites, and even catch a glimpse of the International Space Station soaring overhead. The island, which includes the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, features two accredited Dark Sky Parks and a Dark Sky Reserve recognized by the International Dark Sky Association.

The prime stargazing season in Ireland begins with the Perseid meteor showers in mid-August, offering stunning views of the Milky Way in autumn. Winter nights are crisp, showcasing the Pleiades in November, while December brings up to 16 hours of darkness each day. Although Ireland is familiar with rain clouds rolling in from the Atlantic, there’s still much to explore and enjoy both day and night—such as scenic coastal drives, mountain hikes, ancient landmarks, and vibrant pubs.

Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve

Established in 2014, Ireland’s inaugural Dark Sky Reserve spans a 270-square-mile area in County Kerry, located in the southwest of the country. Renowned for its breathtaking rugged landscapes and low population density, this region is home to just 4,000 residents.

The reserve traces part of the Wild Atlantic Way and the Ring of Kerry, extending from Kells Bay on the northern edge of the Iveragh Peninsula to Caherdaniel in the south, nestled between the mountains and the Atlantic Ocean. Prime spots for enjoying the dark skies and stunning vistas include the 1,000-foot Coomanaspig Pass along the Skellig Ring walk near Portmagee and the historic watchtower at Bray Head on Valentia Island, offering views of both the Skellig and Blasket islands.

The night sky has held great significance for the people of Ireland, with many ancient monuments from the Neolithic era aligned with stars and celestial bodies. A Bronze Age stone circle located in Bonane Heritage Park, just outside the Reserve near Kenmare, features 13 large stones believed to serve as a part of an ancient astronomical calendar, tracking solar and lunar cycles as well as moon phases. On the summer solstice, June 21, the sun aligns perfectly with the stones at both sunrise and sunset. Additionally, ancient inscriptions in the old Ogham alphabet found on local stones are thought to record celestial observations.

The Skellig Coast Dark Sky Tours, located near Derrynane National Historic Park, operates throughout the year, blending storytelling with star-hopping techniques to help visitors identify many well-known constellations. These tours can also include visits to local archaeological sites that have astronomical significance. Each year, the Dark Sky Festival in Kerry is celebrated in early April.

Getting to Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve

To reach the Dark Sky Reserve, travel from Killarney via the N71/72 to Killorglin, then continue on the N70 to Cahirsiveen.

Mayo Dark Sky Park

Spanning approximately 60 square miles, Mayo Dark Sky Park is located within Wild Nephin National Park, extending from the Nephin Mountain Range across peat bogs to the Atlantic shoreline. Due to its low population density and rugged terrain that isn’t suitable for agriculture, this area boasts some of the darkest skies in the world. In 2016, the park received the prestigious Gold Tier status from the International Dark Sky Association, the highest accolade, allowing for breathtaking views of phenomena like the aurora borealis, the Milky Way, and faint meteors.

While hiking in the park at night can pose challenges, there are three key dark sky viewing spots that are easily accessible: the boardwalk at Ballycroy Visitor Centre, the 1.2-mile loop of the Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail boardwalk, and the Robert Lloyd Praeger Center, a stone bothy located at the Letterkeen trailhead. For more adventurous stargazers, there are restored stone cottages available, which serve as bothies (shelters) along the park's long-distance walking routes.

The park hosts events for International Dark Sky Week each April and the annual Mayo Dark Sky Festival every November, featuring talks, walks, workshops, music, and, of course, stargazing. Plans are in progress for a planetarium at Ballycroy and an observatory at Letterkeen, while a mobile planetarium is currently available for special events. Terra Firma conducts stargazing sessions from August through April.

According to Georgia MacMillan, the development officer for Mayo Dark Sky Park and a PhD researcher on dark skies, experiencing natural night skies is essential, as constant exposure to artificial light can be detrimental to our well-being.

“Excessive blue light keeps us alert and inhibits melatonin production,” she explains. “The abundance of streetlights creates daytime-like conditions at night, impacting not just humans but also wildlife and biodiversity.” MacMillan emphasizes that maintaining darkness in this area is vital for preserving the nocturnal habitats of species such as pine martens, badgers, and bats, while also aiding migratory birds.

Wild Nephin National Park (known as Mayo Dark Sky Park by night) recently twinned with Yosemite National Park in the United States under the motto ‘two parks one sky.’ In addition to being home to the Mayo Dark Sky Park, Wild Nephin National Park features boglands, the 16-mile Bangor Trail (an ancient drovers' path), along with ruins of stone cottages, herders’ huts, ghost tales, and legends from Irish mythology, making visits intriguing both day and night.

Getting to Mayo Dark Sky Park

The closest towns are Newport, Mulranny, or Bangor Erris, accessible via the N59 road, which loops from the larger town of Westport to Ballina.

Om Dark Sky Park and Observatory

Om Dark Sky Park and Observatory gained its accreditation in 2020 and features both an observatory and a visitor center.

Spanning 3,700 acres in Davagh Forest, the Dark Sky Park is situated in a remote area of the Sperrin Mountains, far from major towns and cities—the nearest being Cookstown, eight miles away in a straight line—which results in minimal light pollution. Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in 2008, the park also houses the Beaghmore Stone Circles, which include seven stone circles, ten rows of stones, and twelve cairns. While much about these stones remains a mystery, they are believed to function as a calendar, aligning with specific solar and lunar events, much like those in Bonane.

The observatory at Om is equipped with a 14-inch Meade telescope, solar scopes for sun observation, and skywatcher telescopes. Beyond offering stunning views of the night sky, the visitor center provides insights on light pollution and the importance of preserving dark skies for nature, wildlife, and future generations. Om hosts lunar and solar viewing events, meteor-watching parties, new moon sessions, and night walks. The Stars & Stones experience features night sky observation, a guided solar walk, a tour of the Beaghmore Stone Circles, and a picnic. For those wishing to linger under the stars, Sperrinview Glamping offers glamping pods with glass viewing windows.

Getting to Om Dark Sky Park

Om Dark Sky Park is located on Davagh Road, Omagh, approximately 13 miles from Cookstown in County Tyrone.

This article was first published in August 2022 and received updates in July 2024 to include new information.