International spotlight shines on Ireland’s first Dark Sky Park

Ireland’s first International Dark Sky Park has been lauded for its recent success in being named International Dark Sky Place of the Year.

The Minister for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity, Christopher O’Sullivan joined communities in Wild Nephin National Park in County Mayo on Friday for a ceremony marking the growing international profile of the Mayo Dark Sky Park.

It was also announced that the ALAN (Artificial Light at Night) conference, an international series dedicated to examining all aspects of artificial light at night, will be hosted in Westport by Dark Sky Ireland and Mayo Dark Skies on October 28 – 30, 2025.

The international event will focus on how light is produced, where it is present, what effects it has on humans and the environment, how it is perceived by the public, and how the benefits and detriments of lighting may be balanced by regulation.

Managed by the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), Wild Nephin National Park is renamed as Mayo Dark Sky Park at night.

The 150km2 Park has inspired a range of light pollution awareness initiatives that have been undertaken by local communities and the NPWS.

A lighting project in the Park’s gateway town of Newtown led to light pollution being reduced by 50%, the annual Mayo Dark Sky Festival hosted by the Friend of Mayo Dark Skies attracts a growing number of visitors and stargazers to the area, and the Dark Sky Champions and Ambassadors programmes involve approximately 500 people.

Meanwhile, a mobile planetarium called “The Pale Blue Dot” focuses on education on dark skies and their relevance to conservation.

Speaking on Friday, Minister O’Sullivan said, “Our natural night sky heritage here in Mayo includes some of the darkest, most pristine skies in the world and draws many visitors hoping to catch a glimpse of the Milky way or even a meteor shower. But Dark Sky Parks are also places where we can learn about the importance of nightscapes, and their positive impact on biodiversity, climate, and on our own health and wellbeing.”

Denis Strong, Divisional Manager, Western Division, National Parks and Wildlife Service, commented, “Our education and engagement offerings here at Wild Nephin National Park continues to grow thanks to ongoing engagement and collaboration with the local community. These include enhanced opportunities for visitors to experience the dark sky, through a sensory nature trail or from one of the many viewing points in the Park. While today’s event is about marking our achievements, the future for Mayo Dark Sky Park is looking bright.”

Speakers at October’s ALAN conference in Mayo included Tia Crowley, Mayo County Council, and Dr. Frank Prendergast, Archaeoastronomer and Emeritus Research Fellow at TU Dublin, a long-time supporter of the dark sky project in Mayo.

Full details of themes and topics are available at artificiallightatnight.org.

Although the Ballycroy Visitor Centre closes during some winter months, the viewing points within the Dark Sky Park are still open to the public all year round. See www.mayodarkskypark.ie of Facebook.