Where to Find the Best Stargazing Spots in Ireland

This year, the Northern Lights put on quite the display across Ireland, but don’t think these lights are the only thing you can see in Ireland. In fact, many spots across the country provide some of the best opportunities to stargaze thanks to low levels of light pollution. Ireland has three International Dark Sky Parks and even more spots which, although not accredited, are worth a visit for anyone wishing to see the sky in its unfiltered form.

Derryclare Lough, Co. Galway © Tourism Ireland

If you’re short on time and wish to experience the best spots for stargazing in Ireland, we have some recommendations:

Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve

Covering most of the Iveragh Peninsula, the skies here are so dark, the Milky Way can be seen with the naked eye. Book a tour to receive an introduction to the night sky. You can also download sky maps to navigate the sky on your own.

Mayo International Dark Sky Park

Located in the west, this park includes Ballycroy National Park and Wild Nephin Wilderness, and has its own visitor center and exhibition space. You’ll find three viewing areas to observe the stars on a clear night, and the park even hosts Mayo Dark Sky Festival (held annually around late October or early November), where you can expect talks, walks, exhibitions and musical performances. This year’s festival showcased photographs of aurora sightings in 2024.

Stars and Stones Tour © Tourism Ireland

OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Tyrone

This site blends outdoor stargazing with an interactive exhibition space for a true stargazing experience. The exhibition space features holographic installations and VR headsets, while guided tours of the facility explore links between astronomy and the archaeological heritage of the surrounding Sperrin mountains. The observatory boasts a state-of-the-art telescope and there’s also a Stars and Stones experience that takes you to the nearby Neolithic Beaghmore Stone Circles, believed to be alighted with the stars.