2016 Festival testimonials
Just some of the feedback we received following the 2016 Festival...
"Congratulations for arranging an excellent collection of speakers and topics at this event; it was an excellent event, and well attended by both visiting amateur astronomers, and locals. Congrats also to Georgia McMillan for getting the Dark Sky Park initiative under way and seeing it through to completion. Thanks also to Stephen Kershaw of Ktec Telescopes who donated a telescope as the major prize for the raffle.
We had a dry weekend from Friday evening to Monday morning, and some Sun during the day, but unfortunately not enough clear sky at night to enable us to appreciate just how dark the skies are there."
Terry Moseley, president Irish Astronomical Society
"All involved should be proud of your work for the weekend, it was fantastic. Newport needed that, well done!"
Martin O’Malley, Alltime Entertainment sound engineer
"Just wanted to drop you a line to say a big thank you from all of us for organising a terrific weekend. The vibe was perfect and we loved Brannens Guest Rooms.
Clear skies, Lorraine"
Professor Lorraine Hanlon, UCD Physics
"Congrats on the very successful dark skies festival a tribute to everyone's hard work"
John Brannen Chambers, Brannens Guest Rooms Newport
"I hope that this is the first of many co-operations between the different communities that surround Ballycroy National Park, Wild Nephin and the Mayo Dark Sky Park. Events like the Dark Sky festival are not only helping to promote the Mayo Dark Sky Park, but the whole west Mayo area, and I sincerely hope that it becomes a major annual event within the county. I look forward to our continued efforts through the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies. Congratulations again to you and all the organisers on the huge success of the Mayo Dark Sky Festival.
Mise le meas"
William Cormacan, Regional Manager, Western Region, National Parks and Wildlife Service
"Well done with regards the festival it appeared to be a great success, a lot of work behind the scenes for events like that. Thanks a million, Brian"
Brian Wilson, astrophotographer
"Just to say VERY WELL DONE TO ALL INVOLVED IN THE RUNNING OF "MAYO DARK SKY FESTIVAL" really great weekend, and thanks to the town of NEWPORT for making us feel at home. I am sure I speak for many amateur astronomers - We will be back"
Mick McCreary, amateur astronomer
"Very well organised and planned, it ran very smoothly and there was time to network throughout the day and at the dinner. Good variety of talks from different people.
Delighted to have been invited to speak.
Best wishes,
Norah"
Dr. Norah Patten, International Space University
"Wonderful wonderful memories made for us as a family, thanks to Derek for telling us all about the stars and letting the children use the Laser pointer, walking down there in the dark with Christy was just magical ! The lady with the telescope (forgot her name ) was also very kind to let the kids use the telescope.
The rocket building was such an unexpected joy ! The excitement of building and launching rockets was just fantastic, great fun.
Re: Final talk - Superb and highly enjoyable talk kids loved Lorraine !
We as a family had a really wonderful weekend in Newport. Going for a walk in the dark at night was such a delight and so unusual for us city slickers , it was just beautiful to see the stars and to connect with the wonder of the skies at night. Our hotel was superb and very reasonable. We went cycling on the greenway on the Saturday, and star gazing again on the Saturday night. The rocket building was a huge hit with us and I have to say everyone we met was just lovely. I meant to take the time to thank you long before now, apologies I'm late. We have been telling all our friends to go next year to the Mayo Dark Skies festival and we hope to go again too. Many many thanks to everyone involved in this project and showing us a glimpse of heaven in the skies !
I would just like to thank you and your committee members for putting on a fantastic weekend, we had a really lovely time and have memories of walking in the dark and seeing the stars which are priceless.
Keep up the good work and hopefully we will be back next year,
Many thanks"
Antoinette Coll and family
