Fancy seeing the Northern Lights in Ireland?
A brand new stargazing experience is set to open later this month which will allow visitors to immerse themselves and reconnect with nature in Davagh Forest. The forest is a site which lacks light pollution, meaning the night sky is at its darkest and at it's best to really see the stars.
The OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory is one of two Dark Sky Parks on the island of Ireland, and only the 78th in the world. The building cost approximately €1.3 million to construct.
Set in the foothills of County Tyrone's Sperrin Mountains, the unique development is expected to open in two weeks time on October 17, when a new moon is in the sky.
During the night time experience, visitors can expect crystal clear precision, allowing them to witness the Northern Lights, and they will get an opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment including powerful telescopes to explore the solar system.
Visitors to the Dark Sky Park can expect guided tours of the exhibition with touch screen technology, binoculars, mini-telescopes and virtual reality headsets which allow you to explore the solar system like you never have before.
A star attraction of the night time activity is the 'OM Odyssey' outdoor film screenings. It is a film projection on the outside of the Observatory building, that will take you on a journey through time and space.
Announcing the exciting news, Chair of Mid-Ulster District Council, Councillor Cathal Mallaghan, said: "An amazing 80% of us live under 'skyglow', a sky which is illuminated mostly by artificial, polluting light.
"At Davagh, a natural cauldron in an ancient landscape, the skies are at their darkest, and you can experience unrivalled and wondrous views of the night sky, which makes it perfect for stargazing.
"Our official accreditation couldn't be more timely as we prepare to open OM and to showcase not just the amazing astronomy available in the Sperrins, but the ancient landscape and its mysteries, like Beaghmore Stone Circles."
The Northern Irish observatory will also be home to a 14 inch LX600 Meade telescope, which will be used during special stargazing events and VIP tours.
