Heritage Week, Festivals, Beach Bop!

Kerry Dark Sky Tourism is run by Aoibheann Lambe and Michael Sheehan who are involved in a range of dark sky activities which include education, outreach, community engagement and promotion of awareness of the importance of dark skies for everything in the natural world - us included.

Here are some upcoming events we organize - sometimes on our own and othertimes in collaboration with other groups including Caherdaniel Dark Sky Group and Heritage Iveragh

Dark Sky events for Heritage Week :

15 August 9.30pm–11pm. Kerry Dark Sky Tourism and Caherdaniel Dark Sky Group at Staigue Fort House, Castlecove V93 FA36. Telescopes and stargazing. All welcome. Free of charge.

21 August 9.30pm–11pm. Kerry Dark Sky Tourism and Kenmare Bay Project - Streamscapes. Dark Sky beach walk. Meeting at Derrynane Pier car park.  All welcome. Free of charge.

Dark Sky event for Culture Night

'Bop ar an Trá', Ballinskelligs Beach, Co. Kerry. 10pm–1am. Beach Bop and star gazing with Kerry Dark Sky Tourism and Féile 'Aon Scéal'. This is an Irish language event organized with Féile Aon Scéal. Fáilte roimh chách. Saor in aisce.

Festivals 

Skellig Coast Archaeology Festival 2–4 October 2026 - dark sky events 2 and 3 October. Organized with Heritage Iveargh. Website: discoveriveragh.ie. For info email: scarchaeologyfestival@gmail.com

Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival 19-21 March 2027.  Website: discoveriveragh.ie. For info email: scdarkskyfest@gmail.com

Both festivals are not-for-profit and community led - they are growing year on year. The director of these festivals is Aoibheann who works with a team that includes Michael Sheehan (astronomy advisor), Lucy Taylor (marine biologist and website manager), Mary McGillycuddy (Quiet Adventures and mountaineer), Eoin O'Neill (historian), Leonie Woodward (marketing), Dee O'Shea (natural scientist, Dalia Alnajjar (outreach)