Seeing the stars

Seeing the stars

Author
Message
Profile Picture
Posted Sun 14 May 2023 9:29 PM
View Quick Profile
Gaining Respect
Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)
Gold Achievements 1 Silver Achievements 1 Bronze Achievements 6
Posts: 2
Group: Community Member Last Active: Tue 16 May 2023 2:52 AM Visits: 5
5 years ago my wife and I visited Scotland the first two weeks of July.  As nice as it was to have the extended daylight, by the time it was dark enough to view the night sky, we were too pooped to participate!  I was stationed at Keflavik NAS in 1985 and to this day remember the fantastic views.  We want to view the skies but not freeze our bums off!  Is mid-October a good time to enjoy the night sky and stay relatively warm?  Thanks for your input.
Profile Picture
Posted Mon 15 May 2023 9:50 AM
View Quick Profile
Community Expert
Community Expert (70.6K reputation)Community Expert (70.6K reputation)Community Expert (70.6K reputation)Community Expert (70.6K reputation)Community Expert (70.6K reputation)Community Expert (70.6K reputation)Community Expert (70.6K reputation)Community Expert (70.6K reputation)Community Expert (70.6K reputation)
Gold Achievements 4 Silver Achievements 4 Bronze Achievements 28
Island of Ireland
Posts: 760
Group: Community Moderator Last Active: 2 days ago @ 1:16 PM Visits: 13.4K
Hi Jace,

It's lovely to hear that you and your wife are looking to come and see the "star show" here on the island of Ireland!

There are lots of places from County Donegal down to County Kerry where the light pollution is at a minimum and the stars or even the Northern Lights turn up.

Our climate is temperate so never too hot or cold. We here wouldn't think anything of sitting out in the night sky in October but a warm coat or blanket would certainly help! With clear skies come lower temperatures so early to mid-October would see temperatures 45-57 °F but on a good night, the heavens certainly make up for the cooler temperatures.

There may be a way to see the night sky and stay warm. Finn Lough has some bubble accommodations that would be great to lie on your bed and stare at the stars!

Profile Picture
Posted Mon 15 May 2023 2:55 PM
View Quick Profile
Industry Member
Industry Member (29.5K reputation)Industry Member (29.5K reputation)Industry Member (29.5K reputation)Industry Member (29.5K reputation)Industry Member (29.5K reputation)Industry Member (29.5K reputation)Industry Member (29.5K reputation)Industry Member (29.5K reputation)Industry Member (29.5K reputation)
Gold Achievements 3 Silver Achievements 3 Bronze Achievements 19
Northern Ireland
Posts: 234
Group: Approved Community Member Last Active: Fri 14 Jun 2024 1:27 PM Visits: 2.4K
Hi Jace,

There is a magical place, located on the Causeway Coast, called Ballintoy Harbour.  It is known as a Dark Sky Discovery Site and is the perfect place to star gaze on a cloudless night.  The harbour is free from light pollution and has the added kudos of being a Game of Thrones film location with an other-worldly atmosphere.  The location is between the Giant's Causeway to the west, and Carrick-A-Rede Rope Bridge to the east.  You can easily drive down to the harbour, park, chose your gazing spot on the sand or rocks and look up!

To find out more about the Causeway Coast and Glens region, please take a look at our web site: https://www.visitcausewaycoastandglens.com 

It can definitely turn chilly on October evenings, especially those that have clear skies, so wrapping up warmly is a good idea.

Hope you have a truly memorable trip to Ireland!
Anne
Profile Picture
Posted Tue 16 May 2023 2:55 AM
View Quick Profile
Gaining Respect
Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)Gaining Respect (173 reputation)
Gold Achievements 1 Silver Achievements 1 Bronze Achievements 6
Posts: 2
Group: Community Member Last Active: Tue 16 May 2023 2:52 AM Visits: 5
That is where my wife and I need to be!  I will start planning the whole trip around that!  Thank you.
Profile Picture
Posted Tue 16 May 2023 9:29 AM
View Quick Profile
Community Expert
Community Expert (9K reputation)Community Expert (9K reputation)Community Expert (9K reputation)Community Expert (9K reputation)Community Expert (9K reputation)Community Expert (9K reputation)Community Expert (9K reputation)Community Expert (9K reputation)Community Expert (9K reputation)
Gold Achievements 5 Silver Achievements 7 Bronze Achievements 30
Island of Ireland
Posts: 614
Group: Community Administrator Last Active: Thu 3 Oct 2024 12:56 PM Visits: 77.1K
Thank you so much Anne and Martin for your recommendations! 

I don’t have anything else to add, except maybe check out the Dark Sky Ireland website. I would also say that the Fall (October) is a relatively pleasant time to visit the island.

Jace, let us know how your plans are coming along. 😊

Antoine


Similar Topics