Mayo Dark Sky Park

Mayo is home to Ireland's first International Dark Sky Park showcasing some of the darkest and most pristine skies in the world. Nestled between the remote Nephin Mountain range and the unspoiled Atlantic coastline, Mayo Dark Sky Park extends across an area of 150km squared. Its borders encompass the lands of Wild Nephin National Park. Discover the beauty of looking up at the night skies. On a clear night in Mayo thousands of twinkling stars can be seen along with other planets in our solar system. View the Milky Way and even meteor showers all with the naked eye. Mayo Dark Sky Park has three signature viewing points at easily accessible locations around the dark sky park. All of these sites have qualified as Gold Tier quality under the International Dark Sky Association criteria. Ballycroy Visitor Centre The facilities here include indoor and outdoor seated areas, toilets and extensive car parking. Here you can take the Tóchar Daithi Bán (a 2km looped walk) to the elevated plateau of Cleary’s hill for a panoramic view of the night. Claggan Mountain Coastal Trail This site has excellent parking and viewing facilities with the option to walk a 2km trail along a stunning coastal bay boardwalk route. Here you can observe the night sky from your car or walk to a more secluded spot overlooking Bellacragher Bay. Brogan Carroll Bothy Located in Letterkeen at the edge of Wild Nephin National Park, this is our darkest and most remote site accessible by car. There is a stone bothy open 24 hours for shelter, if required. This is a prime viewing point and is the starting point for various forest trails and looped walks. Mayo Dark Sky Park is committed to keeping the skies above naturally dark for present and future generations to enjoy these wonders of the night sky.

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