Derek Dempsey FRAS
Amateur Astronomer and founder of Newport Astronomy Club
About Derek Dempsey FRAS
As a teenager in secondary school, Derek Dempsey became firmly hooked on astronomy by the excitement of the Apollo moon landings and has been reading about the subject and observing the night sky ever since. Derek graduated from the UCD School of Engineering in 1978 and has spent his professional life working in telecommunications – but has always found time for amateur astronomy. He is the founder of the Newport Astronomy Club, motivated in no small part by the Gold Tier accreditation of the Mayo Dark Sky Park in May 2016 by the International Dark Sky Association.
In 2017, Derek was appointed as a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society for his work promoting astronomy in Mayo.
Saturday Stargazing (weather permitting!)
Saturday 31 October
Newport - Burrishoole Abbey
Explore the night sky above Burrishoole Abbey with Newport Astronomy Club.
Friday Stargazing (weather permitting!)
Friday 30 October
Newport - Burrishoole Abbey
Explore the night sky above Burrishoole Abbey with Newport Astronomy Club.
Discovery, Demotion and New Horizons
Saturday 31 October
Newport - Hotel Newport
Discover why Pluto lost its planet status and what New Horizons revealed.
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Ready to Plan Your Festival Experience?
Explore the programme to discover talks, night-time events and experiences inspired by Mayo’s dark skies.