We need your help now
Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.
You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.
If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.
Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
By continuing, you are indicating that you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
AN AREA OF the Wild Nephin National Park in Mayo, the Dark Sky Park, has won and award for its lack of light pollution.
The park has been awarded the ‘Dark Sky Place of the Year Award 2024’ from DarkSky International.
The award recognises leadership and collaboration in advocacy and education on the importance of dark skies and the consequences of light pollution for biodiversity, nature and climate.
The award also notes the impact on the health and wellbeing of people and communities, as well as partnership with them in making an effort to reduce light pollution.
In 2016, the Park was officially designated as a “Gold-tier International Dark Sky Park”.
“Due to its remote location between the Nephin Beg Mountain Range and the Atlantic coastline, the Park offers opportunities to view and experience some of the darkest skies in the world,” a statement from the Department of Housing and Local Government and Heritage said.
“Light pollution from excessive use of artificial light at night can disrupt wildlife, impact human health and wastes energy. Activities at the Park highlight the importance of naturally dark skies through outreach, advocacy and conservation.”
A collaborative project in the nearby town of Newport has reduced light pollution there by 50%, “and has created a unique visual experience for the heritage site at night”, the department said.
“The night-time environment is an increasingly important focus for our conservation efforts. The work underway here at Mayo International Dark Sky Park protects some of the most pristine skies in the country, which are significant for nature and biodiversity,” Niall Ó Donnchú, director general of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) said.
“This award really pays tribute to the work of the team and the local community and puts it on the international stage. All of us at NPWS are excited to see it develop further.”
There is also an annual Dark Sky Festival held in the area that attracts people from around Ireland and internationally.
Fiona Hopkins, the festival director said:
“Our annual Dark Sky Festival is a highlight of the winter months for us. We love welcoming visitors from all corners of Ireland – and the world – to our rural communities, where they get to enjoy world class talks, walks, music, storytelling and stargazing.
“With themes of astronomy, science, culture and biodiversity, there truly is something for everyone, which is reflected in the number of couples and families who attend each year. Everyone who comes to the festival leaves with a greater appreciation of just how special natural dark skies are, and how important it is that they be protected.”
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
What a fantastic achievement.
We are losing our connection to the night through increased use of lighting around our towns. Even in rural locations people are surrounding their houses with bright LED lights and shutting themselves off from nature.
Constant light is devastating for wildlife too.
Couldn’t recommend this place more on a clear night. Kerry, too. It’s a genuinely astonishing view. (While you’re at it, you might as well hop on the Great Western Greenway, which is right beside it.) Phenomenonal part of the country!
Was there any other term that could have been used instead of a “lack of light pollution” ? It actually gives it a negative connotation? Why not call it an abundance of natural sky?
@Pat Barry: It’s not a black sky, it’s a very, very, very, dark blue!
@Pat Barry: No. ‘Lack of light pollution’ is in fact being too kind. If you only knew the sights that you can see in the night sky you would understand.
Oh wow. Added to my list of places to visits in 2025
I took some great photos of October 10th Northern Lights display from Bray Beach
(https://imgur.com/a/UdT0b0k) because the seafront lights were off. I was thrilled Bray council had the sense to switch off the lights for the display. I even wanted to email them to thank them, so went looking for their contact details. However, I found them posting to Facebook the next day apologising for the malfunction that turned off the lights. :-/
@David Jordan: Haha, you couldn’t make it up. However, a colleague of mine stated while she couldn’t see the northern lights with her bare eye, her mobile picked up on it and they’re showing in her photos.
Would that be correct??
@Athena: It depends on how dark the sky is and how strong the solar storm is. I was in a dark sky reserve for Mays major aurora. I could clearly make out the northern lights in very pale pinks & greens with thicker white bands slowly moving. I was nearer home more recently for another aurora, and a half moon made it very difficult to see anything. There’s a lot of variables, but your camera has a better eye for seeing if the aurora weaker or there’s a lot of ambient light in the sky.
@Athena: Most of the time it was too dim to see the really intense colors, but between about 11pm to nearly midnight on Oct 10th, it got very bright, bright enough to see the Aurora move and change colours.
Although the lights were off on the promenade, and I got some great photos (https://flic.kr/p/2qn1SBB), there was still some light pollution from street lights and pubs, so I went up Bray Head for darkest skies and took some great photos there during the peak of the display:
I met another guy taking photos who said he went on holiday to Norway to photograph the aurora, but the display seen from Bray (and of course all over Ireland) was the best he ever seen.
@David Jordan: Cheers for that, guys.
@David Jordan: beautiful photo, thanks for sharing.
It is Ballycroy National Park or Nephin Notional Park.
@Edward McAndrew: No, it’s Wild Nephin National Park. It was established as Ballycroy National Park in ’98 but expanded and renamed to the current name in 2018. Notions don’t come into it. You should go there sometime and enjoy it.
@Oretani Wildlife: I am a born and bred Erris man and extremely proud of the Ballycroy Natuonal Park.
@Edward McAndrew: and well you should be proud of your local national park and your part of Mayo. My wife is from not far away and I’ve been all over the area climbing the mountains and mapping the geology. Still though, each national park has a name. Spell it as you wish….
Hopefully it’s not cloudy when I visit…
Mayo was always in a dark place, especially when it comes to Sam!
The most of you are on here 24/7 moaning about NGOs and today are banging on about how good this award is
have your say