Upcoming events

We offer tours throughout the year. AfterDark Archaeology is our most popular tour. We visit ancient sites in the heart of the Gold Tier Kerry Dark Sky Reserve by night with archaeologist and leading prehistoric petroglyph specialist Aoibheann Lambe. At night the atmosphere is extraordinary. Being in the exact same spot where some 5000 years ago carvings were made and where they were made to be, the distance between us and our ancestors dissolves. Weather permitting, we stargaze - if skies are overcast, we star-hop virtually. We consider how mythology and folklore hint at the ways people have related to the skies over time. We also listen to nature by night and immerse ourselves in the darkness. The tours include a ‘photo-shoot’ - some of our images can be seen here: https://www.kerrydarkskytourism.com/tour-photos

12 August 2026

For our solar eclipse event, led by Noel 'Solar Eclipse' Clarke, on 12 August, we meet at Tech Amergin in Waterville at 5.45pm. If you have eclipse glasses, bring them. We will also have a number of Bresser solar eclipse glasses on the day. This is a free event organized by Kerry Dark Sky Tourism with Caherdaniel Dark Sky Group and the Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival (the festival runs from 19–21 March 2027. Tickets will be on sale soon)

15 and 21 August 2026

Kerry Dark Sky Tourism is offering two stargazing tours for Heritage Week - Saturday 15 August at Staigue Fort House, Castlecove from 9.30pm - a collaboration with Caherdaniel Dark Sky Group and the Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival; Friday 21 August - our 'dusking' tour runs from 9.30pm–11pm, meeting at Derrynane Pier carpark - this is a a collaboration between Kerry Dark Sky Tourism and the Kenmare Bay Project - Streamscapes;. Details will be available on the Heritage Week website.

18 September 2026

‘Bop ar an Trá’ is an annual beach disco conceived by Kerry Dark Sky Tourism - it takes place on Culture Night (18 September) on the beach at Ballinskelligs from 10pm - it combines Irish language, bopping and astronomy! The event is part of Aon Scéal and is free.

19–21 March 2027

The 2027 Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival takes place 19–21 March 2027. We will do a blog post to notify you when tickets go on sale. The programme is taking shape and it promises to be a great one.