EVENTS
Coming up - Events in
South Kerry
Join us for stargazing nights, Archaeology After Dark, festivals, Irish-language events, talks, workshops, and special gatherings in the
Gold Tier Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve.
POPULAR EXPERIENCE
After Dark Archaeology
Our most popular tour takes visitors to ancient sites in the heart of the Gold Tier Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve by night, guided by archaeologist and prehistoric rock art specialist Aoibheann Lambe.
At night, the atmosphere is extraordinary. Standing where carvings were made around 5,000 years ago, the distance between us and our ancestors begins to dissolve. Weather permitting, we also stargaze, listen to nature, and explore how people have related to the skies through mythology and folklore.
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Ancient sites by night
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Guided archaeology with Aoibheann Lambe
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Stories, folklore, and dark sky interpretation
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Stargazing when weather allows
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Photo-shoot included
What’s Included
Upcoming Events
6–8pm 12 August 2026
Solar Eclipse event
August is a great month for Kerry skies! 12 August brings a partial solar eclipse as well as the peak of the Perseid meteor showers.
The maximum percentage of the Sun covered (obscuration) in County Kerry will be 97.0% during the partial solar eclipse on Wednesday, August 12. Because we are in the far southwest of Ireland, we will experience the deepest eclipse coverage of anywhere in Ireland. The eclipse starts about 6.15pm and peaks about an hour later.
We are hosting the event in collaboration with Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival (19–21 March 2026) and will provide eclipse glasses (with thanks to Blackrock Castle Observatory) - it is led by Noel 'solar eclipse' Clarke who led the wonderful solar eclipse event at Tech Amergin for the 2025 Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival.
Many free solar eclipse events are taking place across the country and are all starting around the same time! - Kerry College Killorglin Campus; MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory Cork; Franciscan Well Brewery & Brewpub, Cork; Mayo Dark Sky Park at Wild Nephin National Park.
Remember: never look directly at the sun without eye protection - solar eclipse or not!
To register: please register here or email your name and number of participants to kerrydarkskyreserve@gmail.com
18 September 2026
Bop ar an Trá
An annual beach bop conceived by Kerry Dark Sky Tourism, taking place on Culture Night at Ballinskelligs Beach from 10pm. The event combines Irish language, bopping, astronomy, craic agus comhrá.
2–4 October 2026
Skellig Coast Archaeology Festival
Astronomy, archaeology, archaeo-astronomy, bronze casting, workshops, hikes. Directed by Aoibheann Lambe - this festival is a collaboration between Heritage Iveragh, Kerry Dark Sky Tourism, Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival, South Kerry Development Programme and Dinnseanchas - made with the support of Kerry County Council and Fáilte Ireland
15–23 August 2026
Heritage Week
Stargazing
Free events for Heritage Week include 'Stargazing with Telescopes' at Staigue Fort House in Castlecove on Saturday 15 August - a collaboration between Kerry Dark Sky Tourism, Caherdaniel Dark Sky Group and the Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival (19–21 March 2027). The event is led by Keith Cuneen who will be joined by Aoibheann - it runs from 10pm–11pm (or thereabouts!). On Friday 21 August 9–10.30pm, we meet at Derrynane Pier carpark for dusking and a chance of seeing 'sparkles' in the water. This event is organized by Kerry Dark Sky Tourism with the Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival and Dreamscapes. To register: please email your name and number of participants to kerrydarkskyreserve@gmail.com
19–21 March 2027
Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival
The 2027 Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival is already taking shape, with a programme of stargazing, astronomy, archaeology, nature by night, creativity, and community events.