{"id":42926,"date":"2023-03-17T08:48:47","date_gmt":"2023-03-17T08:48:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.skyatnightmagazine.com\/?p=44850"},"modified":"2023-03-17T09:32:33","modified_gmt":"2023-03-17T09:32:33","slug":"10-best-places-for-stargazing-in-ireland","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcskyatnight\/rss_feed\/10-best-places-for-stargazing-in-ireland\/","title":{"rendered":"10 best places for stargazing in Ireland"},"content":{"rendered":"

Our guide to the best places to view the night sky on the Emerald Isle. <\/p>

By Deirdre Kelleghan\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Friday, 17 March 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

I<\/span>reland offers some of the darkest night skies in Europe, boasting two International Dark Sky Places that are paving the way for astro tourism to really take hold across the island. From the Ancient East to the Wild Atlantic Way, there is a wealth of stargazing locations with good night skies, where visiting astronomers can experience darkness of the deepest kind.<\/p>\n

Here is my pick of the top 10 places to stargaze in Ireland.<\/p>\n

For more general advice, read our guide on how to stargaze<\/a>.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>

1<\/span>
Lough Gur, County Limerick<\/h3>\n<\/div>
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. As a result, it is currently filing for Dark Sky Park status<\/a>.<\/p>\n
The area hosts Grange Stone Circle, built in 5500 BC and aligned with the rising Sun of the summer solstice. A Solstice Festival runs every summer, with people gathering to watch the Sun rise through the entrance of the circle.<\/p>\n
By day: <\/span><\/strong>Nearby Ballyhoura and Liscarroll offer beautiful natural trails and walks, while Limerick itself \u2013 capital of the mid-west \u2013 is half an hour\u2019s drive.<\/p>\n
More info: <\/span><\/strong>www.loughgur.com<\/a>; www.shannonsideastronomyclub.com<\/a>; www.visitballyhoura.com<\/a><\/p>\n
2<\/span>
The Antrim Coast<\/h3>\n<\/div>
The Antrim coast road takes you along points where the aurora sometimes makes an impactful show. Astronomers head to Dunluce Castle (the home, with a healthy dollop of CGI, of House Greyjoy in Game of Thrones<\/i>) whenever the auroral oval touches the dark skies here.<\/p>\n
The area is also one of two regions designated as Milky Way Class by the Dark Sky Discovery Partnership<\/a>, meaning our Galaxy is visible on clear nights with the naked eye.<\/p>\n
By day: <\/span><\/strong>Visit the iconic Giant\u2019s Causeway and stop for a dram at Bushmills, Ireland\u2019s oldest whiskey distillery, or test your nerves crossing the famous Carrick-a-Rede rope bridge.<\/p>\n
For more info: <\/span><\/strong>www.irishastro.org.uk<\/a>; www.bushmills.com\/distillery<\/a>; www.discovernorthernireland.com<\/a><\/p>\n
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