Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve

The Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve (KIDSR) has been designated Ireland's first International Dark Sky Reserve[1] by the International Dark-Sky Association, one of only 3 Gold Tier Dark-Sky Reserves in the world and currently (September 2014) the only Gold Tier Reserve in the Northern Hemisphere. Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve was awarded The Gold Tier Award on 27 January 2014 by the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA).[2] The official website for the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve is at kerrydarksky.com[3]

This is the official logo of the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve. The areas included in the Reserve are: Kells, Cahersiveen, Valentia Island, Portmagee, The Glen, Ballinskelligs, Waterville, Dromid and Caherdaniel.
This is part of the Kerry International Dark-Sky tourism map showing over 20 free parking areas where one can safely stargaze. Go to the Kerry Dark Sky website to download a PDF of the map.

[4]

The Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve is approximately 700 km2 in size and covers nine regions.

This is an all-sky photo of the skies inside the Core Zone of the Reserve. Note the lack of light pollution at the edges.
  1. Kells/Foilmore
  2. Cahersiveen
  3. Valentia Island
  4. Portmagee
  5. The Glen
  6. Ballinskelligs
  7. Waterville
  8. Dromid
  9. Derrynane/Caherdaniel

The Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve application was put together by IDA member Julie Ormonde with the help of and Michael Sheehan, another IDA member. Project manager of the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve is Julie Ormonde, assistant manager is Michael Sheehan.

The Kerry Dark-Sky Group was set up in 2013 after several out-reach meetings with local Community Groups in the Reserve at the request of attendees to the gatherings. The purpose of the Kerry Dark-Sky Group is to promote Astro-tourism in the Reserve via Community projects, local out-reach and events. To read or download a PDF of the full application to the International Dark-Sky Association please go to the kerrydarksky.com website[5]

The Kerry Dark-Sky Group office is situated in Dugeagan, Ballinskelligs, County Kerry, Ireland. Contact number: +353(0)669479071 email:kerrydarkskyoffice(at)eircom.net

On August 5, 2014 The Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve officially twinned with the Aoraki Mackenzie Gold Tier Reserve in New Zealand[6]

References

  1. ↑ Dark-sky preserve
  2. ↑ International Dark-Sky Association
  3. ↑ http://www.kerrydarksky.com/
  4. ↑ http://www.kerrydarksky.com/
  5. ↑ http://www.kerrydarksky.com/
  6. ↑ http://www.mtcooknz.com/mackenzie/stargazing/

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