Just TEN days to go!
Our festival programme is attracting a lot of interest, so make sure to book your tickets and accommodation this week to avoid disappointment.
The programme is full and varied, so here are just a few highlights...
For lovers of science and astronomy...
Prof Lorraine Hanlon will bring us right up to date on Ireland's first satellite, Eirsat-1. She will recount just what it took for Ireland to reach orbit, for the team to put a 2kg CubeSat into orbit, and, importantly, why it all matters.
Festival Favourite Dr. Niall Smith will examine the legacy of Carl Sagan. From Pale Blue Dots to Spirituality, his quotes and insights still have resonance today - perhaps even more than when they were crafted
Derek Dempsey will take a look back at NASA's space shuttle programme, which lasted 30 years, launched hundreds of astronauts into space, and built the International Space Station - but at what cost?
Fusion engineer and science communicator Leah Morgan will delve into the remarkable world of fusion energy engineering, where scientists are revolutionizing our global energy landscape by trying to build a star in a doughnut
Brian MacGabhann will examine the evidence for how prevalent extra-terrestrial life is likely to be, given our current knowledge of the universe
Brendan Owens has the fun job of looking back at Star Trek, exploring the science behind over 58 years of treknology including the transporter, replicator, tricorder and of course the warp drive. It's all sure to be... "fascinating"!
For lovers of the great outdoors, culture & biodiversity...
Jonathan Shackleton, cousin of the great explorer Ernest Shackleton, will ask the burning question: "What was the attraction of Antarctica for Ernest Shackleton, why have I and many others wished to follow in some of his footsteps"?
Meteorologist and author Joanna Donnelly explains the history and the science behind the Sea Area Forecast. Join her for what promises to be a lively and interesting talk as she gives a peak behind the scenes of her nearly three decades at Met Éireann.Archaeologist Marion Dowd will discuss the discovery in 2016 (by the now head guide of Wild Nephin National Park and festival committee member Michael Chambers) of a boulder chamber on Bengorm Mountain, with human bones on the cave floor, which subsequently revealed that the cave had been used during Neolithic times, about 5,500 years ago, for mortuary rituals.
Author Anna Levin brings her new book 'Dark Skies' to Ireland for a talk and writing workshop on sharing our dark sky stories. 'Dark Skies' explores the importance of the night sky and the stars in an over-lit world.
Content Creator and Adventurer Joshua Nueva will talk about how he captured images of one of the greatest Northern Lights displays that Ireland has seen in recent years in May 2024. He captured these from the cave at Downpatrick Head at 2.30am which can only be accessed under specific tide conditions.
For kids & families...
As always at the Mayo Dark Sky Festival, children under 16 get in free to all of the formal talks in Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy (no need to book). As well as that, we have...
SIX guided planetarium shows each day in Newport National School, hosted by Blackrock Castle Observatory
A Lego workshop for younger children in Mulranny Arts Centre on Saturday
A Water Rocket workshop hosted by Science Ireland's Declan Holmes on Sunday
A guided Seashore Safari on Mulranny Beach on Sunday
Weather permitting, we will also host guided free stargazing sessions at Burrishoole Abbey from 8-9pm both Friday and Saturday evenings, where we hope to view planet Saturn, double star Albireo, and with any luck, comet C-2023 A3!
And we will finish with a flourish with our Festival Finale - Join us for a our traditional annual LANTERN WALK from Main Street Newport to St Patricks Church for an amazing concert performance by the AVOCA STRING QUARTET, fetauring a star themed programme of music by Beethoven, Debussy, Holst, John Williams, Pink Floyd and David Bowie!
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