Mayo Dark Sky Festival 2022
Mayo Dark Sky Festival was established in 2016, to celebrate all facets of Mayo’s natural dark skies. Organised by the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies following the gold tier accreditation of Mayo Dark Sky Park, it takes place in the communities around the Dark Sky Park – Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy.
Opening night at the Ballycroy Visitor Centre
The festival focusses on astronomy but it has since expanded to cover all themes connected with dark skies including culture, wellbeing and biodiversity, as we learn more about the impacts of light pollution on all of these areas of our lives.
I was asked to attend the three day event, capturing highlights from key note speakers, but also the many wonderful musical and cultural performances throughout the festival.
It was an absolute joy to be included, and I even got to catch up with some familiar faces from other Dark Sky societies!
After the event took place I created digital copies of the artwork in the clients colours, and size of choice! These were then shared with the attendees as a way to touch base after the event had taken place.
Photos from the trip
Wild Nephin National Park is a spectacular place to experience some of the most remote lands in Ireland. While the main body of the park is suitable for the more experienced hillwalkers, there are also easier walks that allow visitors of a range of abilities to enjoy the scenery and wildlife.
Although the festival itself was aimed at celebrating the beauty of the park after dark, I have to say that even on an overcast day the scenery is stunning! Below are some of my photos from over the three days.
Michael gave me an amazing tour of the land around the visitor centre
Mass cutting of turf releases tons of carbon into the atmosphere, you can read more about it here.
The view from the front of the Mulranny Park Hotel
Cu the Irish wolfhound, with artist for scale!
Rainbow over Newport from the The Grainne Uaile
Kerem Asfuroglu is the founder of Dark Source, an award-winning lighting design studio driven by social and environmental values. Here he is fitting one of the lights outside Saint Patrick's Catholic Church.
One of the old Irish Goats that Carol monitors: There’s actually a museum you can visit to learn more about this amazing creatures!
Michael ran through the different native mosses, and how significant their existence is to maintaining balance in the park.
Turf (or peat) bogs are meant to be covered in a layer of mosses and grasses that act as a natural barrier for carbon.
Science break with Dr. Hannah!
Dr. Karen Weeks gave an amazing talk about her experiences with nature and the night sky while she rowed the Atlantic solo!
The view from the Mulranny Arts centre
After the talks on Day 2, I took a few hours to explore the Mulranny causeway before the evenings entertainment.
Beautiful Newport
The Grainne Uaile
Amazing performance by Dathanna Harp and Clarinet Duo, Berginald Rash & Fiona Gryson.