The Festival Opening Event takes place at 7pm on Friday 1 November 2024 in Ballycroy Visitor Centre. This event will include a drinks reception, followed by a short performance by renowned fiddle player Julie Langan and harpist Laoise Kelly. We will conclude the evening with some stargazing and a guided dark sky walk (weather permitting). Due to limited capacity at the venue, entry will be by pre-booked ticket only, price €5
Schedule:
19:00 - welcome and official opening of festival
19:15 - musical performance by Julie Langan (fiddle) and Laoise Kelly (harp)
20:00 - refreshments in Ginger & Wild Cafe
20:30 - dark sky walk and stargazing (weather permitting!)

WEATHER PERMITTING (!), join Derek Dempsey and members of Newport Astronomy Club for some stargazing at one of Mayo's premier stargazing sites.

Come along for a laser-pointer tour of the early November sky. The sign-post stars in the Summer Triangle and the Big Dipper will be used to show you how to easily navigate around the night sky. At the same
time, you can view the beautiful double star Albireo, and the planet Saturn and its rings, through a 9.25" SCT telescope. Suitable for all ages and levels of expertise.

Stargazing sessions will take place from 8pm to 9pm on both Friday AND Saturday, 1 & 2 November.

Free event, no booking required

While visiting Ballycroy Visitor Centre, make sure to check out our specially curated Mayo Aurora Gallery of recent photographs from some impressive Aurora sightings in 2024!

The exhibition will be open all day during visitor centre opening hours

STS-41-D was the 12th flight of NASA's Space Shuttle program, and the first mission of Space Shuttle Discovery. It was launched from Kennedy Space Center, Florida, on August 30, 1984, and landed at Edwards Air Force Base, California, on September 5, 1984. Three commercial communications satellites were deployed into orbit during the six-day mission, and a number of scientific experiments were conducted, including a prototype extendable solar array that would eventually form the basis of the main solar arrays on the International Space Station (ISS).

The mission was delayed by more than two months from its original planned launch date, having experienced the Space Shuttle program's first launch abort at T-6 seconds on June 26, 1984

Derek's talk will take a look back at Nasa's space shuttle programme, which lasted 30 years, launched hundreds of astronauts into space, and built the International Space Station - but at what cost?

Author Anna Levin brings her new book 'Dark Skies' to Ireland for a talk and writing workshop on sharing our dark sky stories. 'Dark Skies' explores the importance of the night sky and the stars in an over-lit world. Anna invites you to share your own experiences of dark skies through gentle and accessible writing exercises. All materials will be provided but feel free to bring a notepad and favourite pen!

The StarDome, BCO's portable planetarium will be making an appearance once again at our Dark Sky Festival! Shows will run on Saturday and Sunday (11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 14:00 and 14:30 each day), and will give you and your family the chance to discover the wonders of the night sky.

​Each show lasts 20 minutes and is FREE. With a limited capacity of 25 people per session, we suggest getting there early. If you do miss a show or it is full, you can always come back for the next one!

There is plenty of free parking at Newport National School.
Unfortunately the Dome is not wheelchair accessible

As one of the greatest science and astronomy communicators, Carl Sagan left us a rich legacy of quotes. From Pale Blue Dots to Spirituality, his quotes and insights still have resonance today - perhaps even more resonance than when they were crafted. While we strive, and sometimes struggle, to understand our Universe, Sagan's quotes give us helpful signposts as we debate the evidence.

Michael will be your expert companion on the guided walks around Ballycroy Visitor Centre in Wild Nephin National Park on Saturday and Sunday
Meet at the Visitor Centre at 12 noon on Saturday 2nd November or Sunday 3rd November

An Out of this World experience through the world of Lego! This fun workshop is aimed at children from the age of 6 - 12. It will take place in the workshop of the Mulranny Arts Centre, and last one hour.

This workshop is suitable for children age 5 plus (Lego is provided), so children can get to step out of this world and experience the dark skies through Lego.

You can build your own astronaut - or why not fly to the moon on your rocket ship (you can check out some of our Lego displays) or just simply show us your idea of what you can see in our dark skies so maybe it’s through your own lego-made telescope showing us the biggest star or planet in the sky or a rocket ship on wheels with an alien on board. Let your imagination take you beyond this world into our skies... so let’s get building!

In 2016, hill walker Michael Chambers discovered a boulder chamber on Bengorm Mountain. Human bones were visible on the cave floor, which prompted Michael to contact the relevant authorities. This led to an archaeological excavation of the site, which revealed that the cave had been used during the Neolithic, about 5,500 years ago, for mortuary rituals. Over several centuries families brought the corpses of their dead up the mountain and placed them in the cave for a period of time. Marion's talk will explore the fascinating evidence for the death rituals that took place in this dark mountain space in prehistory.

Over the course of the past 70 years, much of Ireland's blanket peatlands, including those in North Mayo, have been fragmented and degraded through the planting of non-native conifer plantations for timber production. We now know that this practice has had negative impacts on many of our iconic peatland bird species, such as red grouse and golden plover.

As we begin to attempt to undo some of the damage caused by peatland afforestation, this talk will examine what we can learn from some of the earliest attempts to restore from ‘forest-to-bog’ and the effect that these projects have had on our peatland bird communities, with a view to the future and increased restoration in our landscape

In 2023, with the successful launch of EIRSAT-1, Ireland became an internationally recognised space-faring nation. However, the voyage from idea to reality was fraught. Hard work, diplomacy, resilience and dedication was needed over a 6 year period from a core student team of physicists, engineers, mathematicians and computer scientists; all supported by the European Space Agency’s ‘Fly Your Satellite’ programme and UCD staff. In this talk, Prof. Lorraine Hanlon recounts just what it took for Ireland to reach orbit, for the team to put a 2kg CubeSat into orbit, and, importantly, why it all matters!

A huge hit at our 2022 and 2023 festivals, Rae Jordan (nee Goddard) will be back in 2024, attending as many of the festival events as she possibly can, and making illustrations that try to capture the essence of Mayo Dark Sky Festival. You could meet her at any of our venues, so pop over and say hi!

On May 10th, we experienced one of the greatest Northern Lights displays that Ireland has seen in recent years, reaching up to G5 conditions.

Josh captured this event from the cave at Downpatrick Head at 2.30am which can only be accessed under specific tide conditions.

Hear how the elements, from the tide to the skies, had aligned to capture a once in a lifetime photograph, with exclusive behind the scenes footage.

Have you ever wondered how the sun shines? Are you interested in new kinds of green energy? Join us as we delve into the remarkable world of fusion energy engineering, where scientists are revolutionizing our global energy landscape by trying to build a star in a doughnut.

The Festival's Gala Dinner takes place in the Mulranny Park Hotel on Saturday 2 November 2024. There will be a drinks reception at 7:30pm in the hotel, followed by a three course dinner 8pm, and entertainment by musical trio The Garibaldis.

WEATHER PERMITTING (!), join Derek Dempsey and members of Newport Astronomy Club for some stargazing at one of Mayo's premier stargazing sites.

Come along for a laser-pointer tour of the early November sky. The sign-post stars in the Summer Triangle and the Big Dipper will be used to show you how to easily navigate around the night sky. At the same
time, you can view the beautiful double star Albireo, and the planet Saturn and its rings, through a 9.25" SCT telescope. Suitable for all ages and levels of expertise.

Stargazing sessions will take place from 8pm to 9pm on both Friday AND Saturday, 1 & 2 November.

Free event, no booking required

At 10:00 on Sunday morning, why not drop in to Hotel Newport for a special FREE event? While Stephen Kershaw from K-TEC TELESCOPES will be on hand to show you the latest in HOME TELESCOPES, we will also be screening some amazing footage from the HUBBLE SPACE TELESCOPE. In 1990, NASA launched one of the most ambitious experiments in the history of astronomy: the Hubble Space Telescope. This film tells the remarkable story of the telescope that forever changed our understanding of the cosmos and our place in it. Its launch was not without challenges to say the least, but this single telescope has helped astronomers pinpoint the age of the universe, revealed the birthplace of stars and planets, advanced our understanding of dark energy and cosmic expansion, and uncovered black holes lurking at the heart of galaxies

NO NEED FOR TICKETS - JUST DROP IN TO HOTEL NEWPORT AT 10:00 SUNDAY MORNING!

Throughout the festival weekend, Stephen from K-TEC TELESCOPES will be on hand in Hotel Newport to answer any of your questions about telescopes and accessories, at price points to suit all budgets. He is also happy to give advice on the right telescope for your needs.

There is not a lot that Stephen doesn't know about amateur astronomy & photography, so why not drop in and say hello?

Stellarium is an amazing software package that puts an accurate, moment by moment image of the night sky on your screen - and it's free! The workshop will take you through the basics, showing you how to get the
most from the program, before discussing some intermediate topics. Astronomical terms will be explained as they are encountered.

Feel free to bring along a device (laptop or tablet) with Stellarium installed, but this is not essential.

This workshop will run from 10am to 11am on Sunday 3 November in NEWPORT NATIONAL SCHOOL TRAINING ROOM.

The workshop is FREE for festival ticket holders, but admission is on a first come first served basis, due to limited capacity (max 20 participants). For non-festival ticket holders, admission is €5, payable in cash at the door - but as always, children under 16 are FREE

Join sound artist Anne Marie Deacy for an introductory talk, listening session, and hands-on demonstration that explores the many layers of sound in our environment, from the hidden to the subtle, both in our world and beyond.

Drawing on field recording methodologies and deep listening techniques, firstly we will explore the works of select sonic pioneers who have been informed by science & nature, followed by an opportunity to delve into some field recording techniques, using sonic devices that reach to places our ears cannot go/hear.

This introduction explores sound as a gateway to new ways of connecting with, caring for and navigating our surroundings, encouraging a deeper understanding and fresh ways of perceiving and protecting the places and spaces we cohabit.

Participants will be offered a unique opportunity to tune into signals from beneath our feet to above our heads, revealing the resonance of place in ways one might never have imagined. By opening ourselves up to the wonder of sonic possibilities, we can unlock new ways of listening to and engaging with the world around us.

On this Seashore Safari you will explore the marine habitats at Mulranny Beach and learn
about the creatures that live there (weather permitting).

Meet your guide Conor Ryan at Mulranny Beach (main beach) at 11am on Sunday 3 November

PLEASE NOTE - children must be accompanied by an adult for the Seashore Safari

The StarDome, BCO's portable planetarium will be making an appearance once again at our Dark Sky Festival! Shows will run on Saturday and Sunday (11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 14:00 and 14:30 each day), and will give you and your family the chance to discover the wonders of the night sky.

​Each show lasts 20 minutes and is FREE. With a limited capacity of 25 people per session, we suggest getting there early. If you do miss a show or it is full, you can always come back for the next one!

There is plenty of free parking at Newport National School.
Unfortunately the Dome is not wheelchair accessible

The question of whether or not we are alone in the Universe has puzzled humanity since the time of the ancient Greeks, but the issue has become particularly relevant today, because many scientists believe that we may finally get an answer to this question in the next five to ten years. This talk will look at how life evolved on Earth, and consider what conclusions that might allow us to draw about how it might develop elsewhere. It will consider the factors that need to be present for life to appear, and how prevalent life is likely to be, given our current knowledge of the universe. Finally, the talk will consider some likely candidates for life, both in our own solar system and elsewhere, and look at the reasons why an answer to this question might not be too far away.

Michael will be your expert companion on the guided walks around Ballycroy Visitor Centre in Wild Nephin National Park on Saturday and Sunday
Meet at the Visitor Centre at 12 noon on Saturday 2nd November or Sunday 3rd November

‘From Mizen Head to Malin Head, Valentia to Loop Head, Carlingford Lough to Hook Head’. If you listen
to radio at around 6.00 am or midnight, you’ll be familiar with some of Ireland’s headlands from the twice-daily sea area forecast, a weather bulletin that promises gales, storms or occasional doldrums.

Meteorologist, Joanna Donnelly, in her new book "From Malin Head to Mizen Head, a Journey Around the Sea Area Forecast" explains the history and the science behind this vital service. Join her for what promises to be a lively and interesting talk as she explains the motivations behind her book, and gives a peak behind the scenes of her nearly 3 decades at Met Éireann.

What was the attraction of Antarctica for Ernest Shackleton, why have I and many others wished to follow in some of his footsteps? Why not stay at home and read a good book about polar exploration in a comfortable chair beside the fire? I shall propose some answers and pose questions.

This exciting and challenging workshop simulates a realistic launch experience and raises interest in science. Beginning with a brief presentation on the science of rockets, followed by teams designing, building and launching their own water rockets.

AromAtom, designed by perfumer and scientist Marina Barcenilla, is a fragrant encounter with space. Our primary aim is to demystify science by presenting it as a fun and accessible experience that everyone can participate in, regardless of age, education or background.
Using our space-scents as a tool to engage the imagination, participants are taken on a journey during which we explore the planets and moons of our Solar System, faraway galaxies and the vastness of the universe with sense of smell as our guide.

Get ready to shout your favourite warp speed catchphrase from 'engage' to 'go fast' as we explore the science behind over 58 years of treknology including the transporter, replicator, tricorder and of course the warp drive. Delivered by avid Star Trek fan and astronomy communicator, Brendan Owens, he'll take you through wormholes, time paradoxes and more to see fact and fiction collide and where real life science is starting to catch up with Star Trek films and TV. In any case, it's all sure to be... fascinating.

We close our 2024 festival with a flourish! Festival goers will take part in a Lantern Walk from Hotel Newport up to the iconic 100 year old St. Patricks Church, where the talented musicians of the Avoca String Quartet will present a 75 minute programme of music inspired by celestial majesty and fantasy, specially curated for Mayo Dark Sky Festival. Classical and cinematic music depictions of the planets, the moon and the stars will give way to epic popular music homages from Bowie and Pink Floyd, all presented in a relaxed, family-friendly concert by this versatile and dynamic four-set of two violins (Denice Doyle, Niamh McGowan), viola (Karen Dervan) and cello (David Doyle).

Click on the blue 'Concert Programme' button to download a copy of the highlights from the 75 minute programme.

[This event is FREE for all festival ticket holders (so hold on to those tickets/wristbands!) All others €15]