Its not the main point in the article but some figures on this.

"By some estimates, 85 per cent of the night sky above the European Union is light-polluted; in the US it is 62 per cent and in Japan 98.5 per cent. In some countries, including Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands, there is no longer any night sky untainted by light pollution." ( New Scientist )

The Irish night sky is an ecomomic asset - one that Bord Fáilte should develop. I know An Taisce have a policy on this, what is Bord Failte actively doing about this. Does Bord Fáilte recognise the benefit of a dark sky policy?

Its not the main point in the article but some figures on this.

"By some estimates, 85 per cent of the night sky above the European Union is light-polluted; in the US it is 62 per cent and in Japan 98.5 per cent. In some countries, including Germany, Austria, Belgium and the Netherlands, there is no longer any night sky untainted by light pollution." ( New Scientist )

The Irish night sky is an ecomomic asset - one that Bord Fáilte should develop. I know An Taisce have a policy on this, what is Bord Failte actively doing about this. Does Bord Fáilte recognise the benefit of a dark sky policy?

Depends on that they mean by polluted I think. On average thats probably right, there are vast areas of the US that are dark, whether thats desert, farms or mountains - particularly in the western US. Europe is a little more dense. compare the images at www.lightpollution.it/worldatlas/pages/fig1.htm

An Taise have helped us in the past by also asking for councils to adopt anti light pollution pieves into development plans.

Bord Failte dont see the benefits to this, golf courses seems to be all they think about. The phone call I had with Bord failte a couple of years ago was a very brief on unfortunately. As ever though a few letters from people to them can do no harm

Just as a matter of interest, does anyone know how Ireland got a name as a golfing destination? I bet it wasn't always the case.

I'm probably showing my ignorance but is there a Green TD championing this cause?

I'm probably showing my ignorance but is there a Green TD championing this cause?

Ciarann Cuffe T.D. is my local green party TD and he has helped in the past.

No idea about the golf!

Just as a matter of interest, does anyone know how Ireland got a name as a golfing destination? I bet it wasn't always the case.

A combination of having a lot of great links courses and very good Bord Failte marketing. They target the US mainly as a lot of Americans look fondly on Ireland anyway. They do it because golfers generally have money to spend so why not spend it here.

A combination of having a lot of great links courses and very good Bord Failte marketing. They target the US mainly as a lot of Americans look fondly on Ireland anyway. They do it because golfers generally have money to spend so why not spend it here.

This is it - if we can get Bord Fáilte on board then the sky's the limit.

Am going to ask my local Green TD (Dan Boyle) what he's doing as well.

Maybe it's just me or is it that no county council are ever going to take the subject of light pollution seriously. So what can we do? We must show force in numbers.

I have witnessed over the last 3-4 years especially the effect that light pollution is having where I live in Dublin 24. Maximum magnitude on a 'dark' ( I use that term loosely) clear, steady atmospheric night to peak around magnitude 4.5. Now thats at 1-2a.m. when most people are in bed. Thats the only time I would consider even observing at which leaves with about 5 hours of sleep until I get up for work . I urge everyone to join the battle against light pollution by writing, calling and meeting with their local TD or councillor. We must press this issue on them. To make aware this problem to the public and the profound impact it is having on us. If even if just for one night that people could just step outside from a suburban area and actually see how the sky is supposed to look. To see the dusty lanes of the milky way veiling itself across our sky. The reapperance of stars that were cast out some time ago.

I want to hear all your voices on this matter, let's stop this beofre its too late!!!!!


Philip Buggy D24

Galactus,

Many thanks for the reference to the New Scientist article. It was a very interesting read on a subject few ever consider (the complete absence of man on this planet).