Kerry Dark Sky Reserve

The only internationally recognised Gold Tier Reserve in the whole of the Northern Hemisphere – Atlantic Villa is in the area which has been designated as such by the International Dark – Sky Association (www.darksky.org).

The celestial showcase for all our dreams is the night sky and studies of it have historical placement in both ancient and modern cultures. In the past, for instance, farmers have used the state of the night sky as a calendar to determine when to plant crops. Many cultures have drawn constellations between stars in the sky, using them in association with legends and mythology about their deities. To really appreciate the wonder of what our ancestors saw in the heavens one needs to be away from any source of light pollution on a clear moonless night. Valentia Island is stunning for stargazers with many astronomical sights to be seen through the naked eye.

Constellations are totally imaginary things that poets, farmers and astronomers have made up over the past thousands of years. The real purpose for the constellations is to help us tell which stars are which, nothing more. On a moonless night in the Kerry IDSR visitors can see many thousands of stars and trying to tell which is which is hard. The constellations help by breaking up the sky into more manageable bits and grouping stars together in patterns which called constellations. Different constellations are visible at different times of the year.

Guests may avail of Atlantic Villa Star Gazer Packages, details below, which introduce stargazing Apps, maps of the night sky, “The Sky this month” print out, suggest suitable places to observe the stars, hot drinks and warm blankets and perhaps a guided tour of the night sky and an opportunity to learn about the celestial wonders of Kerry Dark Skies Reserve.