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30 Oct - 1 Nov 2026

Experience the Skies: Mayo Dark Sky Festival

Three nights under the stars – with astronomy, culture, music & nature in Newport, Mulranny & Ballycroy.

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2026 Programme
Children holding lanterns at Mayo Dark Sky Festival night event in Ireland, enjoying a captivating outdoor gathering.

Celebrating 10 Years of Mayo Dark Sky Festival

THANK YOU to everyone who joined us in Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy from 30 October to 1 November 2026 for three wonderful days of stargazing, expert talks, guided walks, live music, planetarium shows and inspiring night-sky experiences for all ages.

SAVE THE DATES for next year:

29 – 31 October 2027!

The Mayo Dark Sky Festival is a three-day celebration of Ireland’s pristine night skies. From Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November 2026, join us across Newport, Mulranny & Ballycroy to explore astronomy, biodiversity, culture, and the magic of darkness.

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2026 Festival

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2026 Festival Programme

Discover the full line-up for the Mayo Dark Sky Festival 2026, which took place from Friday 30 October to Sunday 1 November across Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy. This year’s programme celebrated the theme of connection – between sky and earth, science and art, community and cosmos.

Whether you came here for the astronomy, the music, or simply the magic of the night, we hope you found something inspiring in every corner of the festival.

This year’s programme celebrates the theme of connection — between sky and earth, science and art, community and cosmos.

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Grand interior of church lit with golden hues, audience seated for Mayo Dark Sky Festival event.

Meet Our Speakers and Creators

From astronomers and ecologists to musicians and storytellers, our 2026 lineup included voices exploring the intersection of science, nature and culture. Browse their profiles below to discover more!

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Three people at the Westport Festival, connected to Mayo Dark Sky Festival event.

Ain’t Misbehavin’

Jazz trio performing timeless classics from swing, blues and bebop.
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Louise Beer

Artist exploring our relationship with darkness, Earth and the cosmos.
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Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell

Pioneering astrophysicist whose remarkable career has changed the world of science.
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Man smiling in front of Mayo Dark Sky Festival banner, wearing a navy shirt, at a star-gazing event in Ireland.

Michael Chambers

Bringing the stories, wildlife and hidden history of the Nephin Beg Mountains to life.
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Derek Dempsey FRAS

Derek Dempsey FRAS

Amateur Astronomer and founder of Newport Astronomy Club
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musician Karen Dervan

Karen Dervan

Galway musician and founder of Elevation Ensemble
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pic of Darragh Ennis 'The Menace'

Darragh Ennis

Irish entomologist, neuroscientist, professional quizzer, and television personality
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Séamus & Caoimhe

Connemara musicians celebrated for their distinctive arrangements and close harmonies
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astrophotographer Bettymaya Foott

Bettymaya Foott

Bringing together lighting design, conservation and a lifelong love of dark skies
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woman doing guided walk

Mary Gavaghan

Education Guide connecting people with the remarkable natural heritage of Wild Nephin.
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Marjolijn van Heemstra

Bringing a cosmic perspective to how we see our planet and the night.
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Declan Holmes

Helping bring science to life while championing sustainable lighting in Mayo.
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Stephen Kershaw

Founder of KTec Telescopes, making astronomy and astrophotography accessible to everyone
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Jack L singer

Jack L

One of Ireland’s most distinctive and compelling performers, renowned for ability to make every song entirely his own.
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Kate McAney

Bat conservationist and lifelong advocate for Ireland’s nocturnal wildlife and the dark skies they depend upon.
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Ella McSweeney

Award-winning journalist exploring food, farming, science and the environment.
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Tom Meskell

Creating spectacular lantern sculptures that bring people together through art and light.
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Marina Mulligan

Conservation biologist exploring the connections between wildlife, people, place and dark skies.
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Mixies Brixies

Bringing creativity, teamwork and hands-on learning together through LEGO workshops.
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James O’Neill

Researching the hidden lives of Woodcock and Red Grouse in the Irish landscape.
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Andrea Parisi

Listening to our landscapes to better understand and protect their wildlife.
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Purple Foxglove Films

Local filmmakers documenting Mayo’s history, heritage and communities.
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Conor Ryan

Bringing science, conservation and communities together across land and sea.
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Richard Sabin at the Natural Histroy Museum

Richard Sabin

Marine mammal expert uncovering the remarkable stories hidden within museum collections.
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Niall Smith BCO

Niall Smith

Co-founder of Blackrock Castle Observatory and a leading voice in Irish space science.
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photo of fergis sweeney and Blacksod lighthouse

Fergus Sweeney

Connecting people with the stories, culture and remarkable coastal landscape of the Mullet Peninsula.
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Louise Tomsett

Exploring how scientific collections can deepen our understanding of wildlife and the natural world.
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man in nature

Eoin Warner

Wildlife documentary maker and author Eoin Warner will perform the official opening of the Mayo Dark Sky Festival
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Michael Wise

Internationally acclaimed astrophysicist and Director of SRON.
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John Zarnecki

Exploring distant worlds through some of the most remarkable missions in space history.
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View All 2026 Speakers

Plan Your Visit

Maps & Links

Everything you need to navigate, explore, and plan your perfect Mayo visit.
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FAQs

Helpful answers to common questions, so you can plan with confidence.
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Shuttle Bus Service

Scheduled free shuttle routes will connect Newport, Mulranny & Ballycroy.
Timetables

Explore Mayo

Uncover Mayo’s wild landscapes, rich culture, and unforgettable experiences.
What to Do

Getting Here

How to travel to Mayo and the Dark Sky Festival with ease.
Transport

Mayo’s Dark Sky Communities

Learn more about Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy, host villages for the Mayo Dark Sky Festival.
Who We Are

Stargazing

Locations, guidance, and tips for safe and enjoyable stargazing experiences in and around Mayo Dark Sky Park.
Locations & Tips
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Real experiences under the stars

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This was a wonderful festival. Everyone involved was extremely helpful and the price was so reasonable. I enjoyed all the events I went to and the lantern walk and concert were awesome.
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Margaret O’Connor
Mayo Dark Sky Festival is a must do on my annual calendar. From the first one I attended in 2017, to the one just gone, I’ve never come away without learning something or meeting new people. What really stands out for me is the warmth of the community. Organizers, experts, and local volunteers create an atmosphere that’s welcoming, educational, and genuinely fun. It’s my annual pilgrimage to Mayo!
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Adrian Nolan
As a lone attendee I really appreciated the kindness and friendliness. Wild Nephin is a very long drive for me but it was stunning. After the long drive on Friday it was great to hop on the courtesy bus – which was also great craic! Thanks for a fantastic festival
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Annette Skade
I enjoyed the festival very much. My main interest is in the astronomy end but I like the way you broaden it to include music and art.
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Angela O’Connell
This is a such a well run and inclusive festival. The attention to detail is brilliant. Thank you to everyone involved in the organising and managing of this festival as it is genuinely a highlight of our year. See you in 2026 for the 10 year anniversary. Can’t wait already.
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Paula Douglas
Lovely mix of free and paid for events. Very family friendly and excellent value for money.
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Michelle Finnerty
Great community event that was able to address the interests of the entire family and was fun and sociable
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Kevin
What I appreciated was how art, music, photos, poetry was all connected with getting across the need to appreciate DarkSkies and to incorporate that vibe in teaching the necessity of the Dark Sky and preventing light pollution.”
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Patricia Kinney

Your Journey Under the Stars Awaits

The Mayo Dark Sky Festival is more than an event – it’s an invitation to pause, look up, and reconnect with the universe above.

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2026 Programme

Recent News

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photo of people carrying lanterns

It’s a Wrap for 2026!

What a weekend. Ten years of dark skies, and we think this was our best festival yet.
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Festival Stargazing: Weather Update – SATURDAY

Stargazing tonight: the forecast is looking promising!
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Festival Stargazing: Weather Update

Friday looks cloudy, but there’s hope for Saturday! Check the latest outlook before travelling for stargazing.
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Happy Birthday Mayo Dark Sky Park!

This May Bank Holiday weekend we'd like to invite you to celebrate Mayo Dark Sky Park's 10th birthday by attending one of the many events we are hosting!
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