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Archive for dark skies

West Cork Clear Skies

Posted by Mark Grace 
· August 27, 2017 

Heaven’s Above

The air around Ballynoe House usually blows in directly from the sea. As a result, there are few particulates to pollute the view of the night sky. This is a real bonus for amateur astronomers and casual stargazers alike. Situated in Dunowen, and therefore shielded from the “bright lights” of the town of Clonakilty by the Ardfield Mountain, Ballynoe House experiences spectacular night skies.

Ballynoe House by Moonlight

Ballynoe House by Moonlight

Light pollution is minimised by the lack of street lighting. Helpfully, neighbours generally don’t leave their external lights on. Most visitors will probably not have experienced as black a night as a moonless West Cork night. It is an opportunity to see the Milky Way as you have never seen it before. In the event of particular celestial events during your stay, it may be possible to borrow the Ballynoe House 10” telescope (available to experienced astronomical telescope users only).

First International Dark Sky Place in Kerry

Ireland is noted for its dark sky policies. Serious amateur and professional stargazers will be interested to know that in 2014, The International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) announced that it had named the first International Dark Sky Place in Ireland. Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, in the neighbouring county, was the first of its kind in the northern hemisphere awarded “Gold-tier” status. It joins an elite group. The Reserve sits on the Iveragh Peninsula, located between the Kerry Mountains and the Atlantic Ocean, ensuring some natural protection against light pollution. At time of writing, this Reserve had been measured to be to be in the top three darkest observation points on the planet.

International Space Station (ISS)

If you have your own telescope or binoculars, don’t forget to bring them. Binoculars are suitable to see Jupiter and it’s four main moons. The International Space Stations (ISS) frequently passes directly overhead of Ballynoe House travelling from west to east (see red arrow on orbital map). A online website tracker is available, so you can be ready to view as it passes. It moves very quickly across the sky (about 30 seconds). The best time to catch the ISS is close to or just after sunset, so the solar panels really stand out.

ISS, International Space Station

The ISS frequently passes over Ballynoe House

Strong UV

On clear days, even if the air temperature is not particularly hot, visitors to West Cork will notice that unpolluted skies lead to a strong sun.  It is recommended that sensible protection and sun block is used, especially for children.

Mark Grace, Ballynoe House

Looking Down from the ISS

Categories : Ballynoe House Blog
Tags : astronomers, astronomy, Ballynoe House, dark skies, International Space Station, ISS, Jupiter, stargazing, telescope

About Us

Ballynoe House has three luxury self-catering guesthouses situated just 10 minutes from Clonakilty, the multi-award-winning West Cork tourist destination, and within a short walk of several beaches; an ideal location for your holiday on this part of the Wild Atlantic Way. Our blog posts cover events and opportunities for activities in West Cork as well as Ballynoe House which has a Resident Genealogist and Resident Artist.

Press Coverage:
West Cork People (July 2018)
Irish Independent Travel Feature (December 2018)

From Our Blog

  • Top Tips to Maximise Your Online DNA & Genealogical Profile
  • Guest Profiles
  • Guest Reviews for Ballynoe House 2022
  • Why Guests Stay at Ballynoe House, West Cork
  • Guest Reviews for Ballynoe House 2021
  • One of the Best Autism-Friendly Holiday Locations in Ireland
  • 3rd February is the International BookDirect Guest Education Day
  • West Cork Garden Trail
  • Travelling the Seven C’s – An Approach to Genetic Genealogy (Part 2)
  • Travelling the Seven C’s – An Approach to Genetic Genealogy (Part 1)
  • From Family Historian to Genetic Genealogist
  • Out of Africa – A Personal Ancestral DNA Journey
  • A Sustainable Holiday Means Booking Direct
  • atDNA Goes Pop!
  • Look Before You Book (Our Video Archive)
  • Kevin the Rescue Jackdaw
  • The Folds Beneath Your Feet in West Cork
  • Heads Up on Dandelions
  • Miniature Rock Gardens
  • West Cork Rally 2019
  • Ballynoe House Offers Excellent Value for Money
  • Frequently-Asked Questions
  • Autism-Friendly Accommodation & Environment
  • Clonakilty Festivals
  • Safety & Security for our Guests
  • Forty Years of Family History Research in 2019
  • Sandscove – Our Secret Beach
  • What Use is Sibling DNA for Family History?
  • Sharing Your atDNA Test Results
  • Surf’s Up in West Cork
  • Clonakilty – Ireland’s Place of the Year for 2017
  • Children’s Activities at Ballynoe House
  • West Cork People (July 2018 Edition)
  • Flexible Family Accommodation
  • Self-Catering Doesn’t Necessarily Mean Cooking Yourself
  • Attending a Wedding or Event at a Clonakilty-area Hotel?
  • Partnering with FiveStar International
  • A Tour of Ballynoe Mews (Holiday Lets)
  • Ballynoe House Holiday Lets
  • A Connection to Michael Collins (1890-1922)
  • Having a Whale of a Time
  • Ballynoe House Presents The Barn House
  • The Constant West Cork Gardener
  • DNA Solves a 170-Year-Old Family Mystery
  • DNA in Family History Research
  • Old Postcards of Clonakilty
  • A Family Member Who Sank with the SS Titanic
  • The Documented Extinction of a Family Name
  • The Rewards of Family History
  • The O’NEILL Families of Clonakilty
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