Ireland and the UK undoubtedly have some of the best spots for stargazing. So, let’s have a look at some of the hotspots – from Roman ruins to unlikely cities.
Northumberland
Stars have been a curiosity used for entertainment purposes for centuries. In modern media, stars and the universe are popular themes for a wide range of different forms of entertainment. Take online casino games, for example. Star-lovers can play Starburst slot at Betfair Casino and other platforms, which features colourful gemstones and twinkling stars in the vast expanse of space. This colourful and interactive take on star-themed media makes for an immersive and authentic casino experience. Of course, another immersive, but traditional, variety of star-themed entertainment is stargazing. And, Northumberland has the perfect conditions.
Northumberland’s International Dark Sky Park was the first in all of England and remains one of the largest in Europe to this day. The Gold-Tier-rated International Dark Sky Park is home to five observatories – Battlesteads, Kielder, Stonehaugh, Twice Brewed, and Allenheads. The park hosts an annual Dark Skies Festival and several exhibitions to showcase the astronomical discoveries and night-time landscape photography of the region. For less-structured stargazing, some points on Hadrian’s Wall are a great place to take in the cosmic sights, as well as Cawfields quarry, and an array of rural areas for a nocturnal picnic.
Brecon Beacons
Brecon Beacons, otherwise known as Bannau Brycheiniog, is one of Wales’ crowning jewels of National Parks. In addition to the epic hikes in the area, night owls can also take in the moonlit skies, as the area is appointed an International Dark Sky Reserve. One of the most popular spots in Bannau Brycheiniog is to the west, around the Usk Reservoir, which makes for clear, dark skies with stunning views in the background.
Other options in the area include the limestone crag around Carreg Cennen Castle, and the Vale of Ewyas, particularly close by to the medieval ruins of Llanthony Priory. For keen and experienced hikers, the Sugar Loaf Peaks summit in the Black Mountains can provide epic stargazing opportunities. Just remember to wrap up warm!
Dublin
Of course, we couldn’t not mention Dublin in our list. The city might not be the obvious choice for stargazing – it has close to seven times more artificial light emissions than any other country. Despite this, the area has some excellent spots with dark skies. The highlight has to be Dunsink Observatory, located at the Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies (DIAS), in one of the darkest areas of Dublin. The location is surrounded by open fields to preserve the area from light pollution, maintaining its cultural heritage in the greater Dublin area.
Elsewhere, Cloon Wood is a great spot in South Dublin. The area is used by the South Dublin Astronomical Society and is essentially a car park between Enniskerry and Glencree. That said, you’ll want to keep an eye on the weather, as cloud cover can obscure the view in this area. For those wishing to travel further, Turlough Hill and Trooperstown Wood can also have some good clear dark skies.
As you can see, there are a wide variety of different stargazing spots throughout the UK and Ireland – you just need to know where to look. So long as you have dark skies and a clear night, the sky is the limit!
