Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival 27–30 March 2025

Celebrating the Gold Tier Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, this festival has a range of events for all ages and for families as well. Among the events is a lecture by astrophysicist Prof Paul Callanan in the otherworldly setting of the Valentia Slate Quarry on Valentia Island; an archaeo-astronomy visit to prehistoric petroplyphs with archaeologist (and festival director) Aoibheann Lambe; a Friday night concert organized by Éigse na hAoine whose lineup has been exclusively live original music by the best of Ireland's traditional and fusion performers; astronomy talks and, weather permittingm, stargazing with expert astronomy guides;astgrophotography workshop with Davy Patton; an astgrophotography exhibition; a talk on astronomer Agnes Mary Clerke by Finola Finlay (of Roaringwaterjournal.com); talks on the folklore of astronomy with areas with eastern Europe, the Middle East and also in Ireland; a book reading by author of the Light Thieves Helena Duggan and a talk on the effecgts of light on our health by lighting engineer Willie Duggan; art workshops for adults and children; a parade. We aim to have the programme ready to publish in the first week of February.

Kerry Dark Sky Tourism's Aoibheann Lambe is director of the festival and Michael Sheehan is the festival's astronomy officer.