Programme Launch!

We will launch our 2024 Festival Programme during Heritage Week (17-25 August) with a special double header event in the W Cinema Westport on SATURDAY 17 AUGUST at 12 NOON

Joining us will be renowned and respected meteorologist and author JOANNA DONNELLY of Met Eireann and RTE, who will give us a fascinating insight into the science behind weather forecasting in the climate of Ireland, and this will be followed by ...

The formal launch of our programme for the 2024 MAYO DARK SKY FESTIVAL 1-3 NOVEMBER

While the event is FREE, registration is essential as the venue has generous but limited seating, so we encourage you to book your spot(s) as soon as possible...

about Joanna Donnelly...

Joanna studied Applied Maths in DCU, graduating with honours. After university she worked in a private college in Dublin, making the move to Met Éireann in 1995. Joanna worked as a meteorological officer in the forecast division, where she introduced a forecast dissemination system, before being promoted to meteorologist in 2000. She has been working as a forecaster and broadcasting on RTE Radio 1 since February 2002 and on TV since 2015.

Joanna is passionate about her role in education outreach programs and has been presenting to schools and colleges for 15 years, starting when her own children were at school and then expanding the role to include clubs and societies as well as schools and colleges. She is a STEM ambassador and a regular judge at the RDS Science Blast competition every year. She is an eager volunteer in the promotion of interest in science and meteorology and is the author of the award winning book, The Great Irish Weather Book, and her latest book From Malin Head to Mizen Head, A Journey around the Sea Area Forecast, both published by Gill Books. Joanna is a regular contributor on the Claire Byrne Radio show where she is regularly heard talking about her favourite subject, the weather, the climate and weather lore.

Joanna Donnelly is from Dublin and is married to fellow forecaster, Harm Luijkx, from The Netherlands. Together they have three children, a daughter Nicci, and two sons, Tobias and Casper.  Her interests are wide and varied and people are often surprised to find she is an accomplished knitter and seamstress. She is fit and active, cycling to work and keeping up a daily yoga routine, sea swimming, running and taking part in triathlons, and in 2015 completed the Dublin City Marathon. She loves the cinema and musical theatre and is a regular at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre shows - her favourite so far was Top Hat! She also loves to read and listen to music. She recently taught herself to play piano and has returned to formal education to restore her Gaeilge.