I'm gonna be in the Castlebar area next tuesday night and in Donegal on wednesday night. I'm just wondering if there are any well known and used dark sky sites in these area's. I'll probably only have my bins with me but that's fine by me.

Thanks in advance.

P.S.~~sites must be wheelchair friendly.

Anywhere outside of Letterkenny has good dark skies. I don't know about many sites as such, normally I would just find anywhere random and set up there. The Letterkenny Road, which is the main road from Derry to Letterkenny, has a lot of turn offs along it which lead to lots of little dark country lanes. I usually find great dark skies around the region of Newtoncunningham and Killea, although for the best skies in Donegal, head up to Inishowen, you can't beat the area past Buncrana with no light pollution for many miles, and no cars either, with plenty of space to get out and observe. There are tons of viewing points there because it's quite a hilly place with great views.

If you want a proper viewing place that is used by astro clubs in letterkenny, there is one: a graveyard.

Kilpeak Graveyard,
Glenswilly,
Letterkenny,

Directions to Viewing Location:

Starting Point: Dunnes Stores Letterkenny
Take the Glenties road for 4.3 miles
Take Left at fork on road signposted Glenties for 1.2 miles
Go past school on right
Take next Right at 'Churchhill/Kilmacrennan' for 0.2 miles
The graveyard carpark is on the left.


The weather up here is rubbish though, last night was great but in general it's been bad lately, so good luck that week.

Thanks Euronymous. I'll be staying in the Clanree hotel. From what i remember of the area its pretty bad (normal) for light pollution. I reckon (weather permitting) if i take a stroll after dinner i should find a nice dark laneway nearby.

Yeah I'm sure you'll find somewhere! I was up at the clanree there the other week at someones birthday, nice place.
Wow just this minute a man called at my door, weird time to call. But delivered me a new eyepiece and barlow:D Nice surprise to cheer up fromt he bad weather

Yeah lovely hotel.

I'm awaiting the arrival of a Celestron eyeopener kit. Cant wait til it gets here (hoping Thursday). That should cheer me up no end.

I have been in Castlebar and Westport a couple times in the past few months, and when the skies are clear, boy, are they clear! Can't give you any directions to sites I'm afraid.

Can't or WON'T?

lol..

Can't or WON'T?

lol..

Nah, it's CAN'T! I would love to get to the top of Croagh Patrick and see over the west coast from there on a clear night.

I would love to get to the top of Croagh Patrick and see over the west coast from there on a clear night.

Great idea. I'll let you know how i get on,LOL.