The Mayo Dark Sky Festival will have a packed programme of talks by experts including Guy Consolmagno, Director at the Vatican Observatory and Professor Mark McCaughrean, Senior Science Advisor at ESA, who will give an update on the James Webb Space Telescope.
Dr Sera Markoff of the University of Amsterdam, whose team was responsible for capturing the iconic first image of a black hole back in 2019, and renowned Irish botanist and broadcaster Dr Éanna ní Lamhna are also among the line-up.
There will also be walks, workshops, musical performances and a stunning exhibition of night-time photography.
Another way to enjoy a visit to Mayo Dark Sky Park is on a Stargazing Safari with adventure tour company Terra Firma.
Their guided tour combines a laser pointer tour of the stars and constellations with an introduction to the local nocturnal wildlife. Involving short walks with transportation between viewing sites, the tour lasts three hours and finishes with a visit to a traditional seanchaí (storyteller) who will spin some celestial tales.
The island of Ireland can also boast two other dark sky havens.
Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve covers 700km2 of the Iveragh Peninsula on the Wild Atlantic Way and also holds Gold Tier status.
And in Northern Ireland, OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory in County Tyrone is the latest addition to the island’s stargazing credentials and a fascinating place where astronomy meets archaeology.
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