Speakers confirmed for Free Talks at the Messier Festival on March 10th in The Kerry International D

We are delighted to confirm our speakers from the afternoon sessions on Saturday March 10th in Dungeagan Community Centre Ballinskelligs at 14:30 The Sessions will be introduced & chaired by Steve Lynott, Chair of the Skellig Coast Network Dark Sky Sub Committee who will provide an update on developments in the Kerry international Dark Sky Reserve. Dave Connolly a Sigma Brand ambassador and well known Astro & Landscape photographer will lead a session on astro-photography. Dave is a knowledgeable and approachable speaker who will focus on getting people started on astro-photography. Bring your camera along and pick Dave’s brains on settings and techniques! He will have some of the latest Sigma lenses to show attendees! We are delighted to confirm that John Flannery of the Irish Astronomical Society is returning to the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve this year. John is an exceptional contributor to learning and outreach in Astronomy in Ireland. He is the principal Tutor for the IAS Astronomy programme in Dublin and has traveled the world to participate at and talk at Astronomy events. He was in the States last year for the Solar Eclipse. John will talk on Messier, the Night sky objects we may expect to see later this evening and just about any other aspect of Astronomy you like!! Barry O’Toole is an amateur astronomer, originally from Galway who now lives in Killeagh in Co Cork. Barry has an encyclopedic knowledge of the Messier objects and owns and operates a number of large telescopes. Barry was the astronomer who identified more Messier Objects than anyone else at our Messier Marathon last year and he also amazed us all with his ability to do so without reference to notes. In addition to leading our viewing on the beach on Saturday Evening Barry will be available at the talks to help anyone who has a telescope and needs some guidance in using it or getting it set up.