Chósta na Sceilge Skellig Coast

Féile Spéartha Dorcha

Dark Sky Festival

Márta 27-30 March
2025

Ticéadi / Tickets

- Faoi Aon Spéir -

This year’s festival celebrates the sky that we all share. The stars, the moon, and the awe that they inspire belong to all of us. Join us to celebrate faoi aon spéir - under one sky.

Join us for the fourth Skellig Coast Dark Sky Festival Co. Kerry in the south west of Ireland from 27–30 March 2025.

The programme will include astronomy talks, stargazing, events in Irish, family friendly events, archaeo-astronomy and lots more. Registration is required for all events, even if there is no charge.

Book your weekend tickets now to discover the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve and explore the Wild Atlantic Way in a whole new light!

- Under One Sky -

Ticéadi

Clár / Programme

Please note that registration is required for all events, even those that have no charge. You can register on our ticket page.

Déardaoin 27 Márta

12 - 13:00: Astrophotography Exhibition Opening
Ballinskelligs GTeic, V23 XK58

14:00 - 16:00: Hike to Cill Rialaig Stone Row
Meeting place will be sent to ticket holders

16:30 - 18:00: Lantern Making Workshop
Ballinskelligs Community Hall, Dungeagan, V23DT28. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

18.00 - 19.00: Space Junk with Jessica McKenna
Ballinskelligs Community Hall, Dungeagan, V23DT28.

19:00 - 21:00: Movie Night - “To the Moon”
A film about what the moon means to people from all over the world. Ballinskelligs Community Hall, Dungeagan, V23DT28.

21:00: Stargazing with Steve Lynott
Ballinskelligs Beach

Trad Session at Tig Rosie’s
An informal trad session with the regular musicians at Tig Rosie’s - Bígí linn! Please note - cash only in the pub.

Dé hAoine 28 Márta

10-12:00: Siúl agus Gaeilge from the library to the Valentia Observatory
Tour of the Valentia Observatory included.

15:30 - 16:30: Reading by the author, Helena Duggan of ‘The Light Thieves’
Cahersiveen Library, V23 H523

17:30 - 18:30: How Light Affects Us: A talk with Willie Duggan
Skellig Six18 Distillery, Cahersiveen, V23 YD89

18:30 - 19:30: Astronomy Under Occupation: A talk by Dr Suleiman Baraka
Skellig Six18 Distillery, Cahersiveen, V23 YD89

20:00: Ceol - Colm Seoighe agus na hEasógaí
Coláiste na Sceilge, Cathair Saidhbhín, V23 Y003

21:30: Astrophotography with Davy Patton
Skellig Six18 Distillery Carpark, Cahersiveen, V23 YD89

22:00: Réaltóireacht / Stargazing with Caoimhín de Bhailís and the Caherdaniel Dark Sky Group
Cahersiveen

Dé Sathairn 29 Márta

10:30 - 11:30: Páirt-urú na Gréine le Coimhín de Bhailís
11:00 - 12:00: Watch the partial solar eclipse with Noel Clarke
Tech Amergin, Watervile, V23 A243 - FREE

12:00 - 13:00: From Skibbereen to the Moon - Agnes Mary Clerke and 19th Century Astronomy with Finola Finlay
Tech Amergin, Waterville, V23 A243

14:00 - 15:30: Astrophotography Workshop with Davy Patton
Tech Amergin, Waterville, V23 A243.

15:00 - 16:30: Art Workshop for Children with Helen Richmond
Tech Amergin, Waterville, V23 A243. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

18:00 - 19:00: Seán Ó Céide: Sol - An Réalta is Gaire Dúinn
Derrynane House, Doire Fhionán, V23 FX65

19:00 - 19:45: Lantern Walk
Derrynane House, V23 FX65

20:00 - 20:45: Rock Art by Night
Meet at St Crohan’s Church, Caherdaniel V93 V329

21:00: Ceol - Seamas Hyland
Staigue Fort House Hotel, Castlecove, V93 FA36

22:00: Stargazing with the Caherdaniel Dark Sky Group
Staigue Fort House Hotel, Castlecove, V93 FA36

Dé Domhnaigh 30 Márta

11 - 13:00: Astrophysics with Prof Paul Callanan; Deep Time with Aidan Forde and live jazz with Leonie and Martin Woodford
Valentia Slate Quarry, Valentia Island, V23 XY99

13:30 - 15:30: Frances McCarthy: A European Student Approach to Light Pollution, a talk for pre-teens
Portmagee Community Centre, V23 HY51

15:00 - 17:30: Dark Skies and Navigation, a guided hike with Dr Eoin O’Neill and Emma McGrath
St Brendan’s Well, Valentia Island

Explore the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve

This year’s festival will take place in Ballinskelligs, Cahersiveen, Caherdaniel, Castlecove and Valentia. These are just a few of the villages within and around the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve.