The Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis) or the Green and Red of Mayo shines prominently in the sky
The Green and Red of Mayo was prominently on display on Sunday 26th February in Mayo Dark Sky Park in the form of the elusive Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights).
A group of women from the Ukraine currently staying in Newport County Mayo were taken on a visit to the darkest accessible part of the international dark sky park to enjoy a stargazing tour. Whilst there, they were treated an amazing display of the Aurora Borealis. The colour of natural phenomenon was one of the strongest seen in Mayo, and it’s animated columns of natural light reached high into the northern sky, much to the delight of the small group watching. Elsewhere the stars shone brightly and the timing could not have been more poignant, just on the anniversary weekend of the Russian invasion of the Ukraine, the significance of this spectacle in the sky was not lost on the watchers, who remarked that it was one of the nicest experience they’d had in a long time.
The event was hosted by Georgia MacMillan, Mayo Dark Sky Park Development Officer, and the tour organised by her partner Ged Dowling, a local tour operator in the town of Newport.
The frenzy of Aurora photographs taken in Mayo and North Western counties this week has certainly heightened the interest in dark skies.
More info:
Georgia MacMillan
Mayo Dark Sky Park Development Officer
IRC Employment Based PhD Scholar in partnership with NPWS and NUI Galway
Mayo Dark Sky Park / Wild Nephin National Park
#HalfTheParkIsAfterDark
Páirc na Spéire Dorcha Maigh Eo
An accredited International Dark Sky Park with the International Dark-sky Association
www.MayoDarkSkyPark.ie /www.WildNephinNationalPark.ie
An Roinn Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta
Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage
Seirbhís Páirceanna Náisiúnta agus Fiadhúlra, Lag Dubh Mór, Baile Chruaich, Cathair na Mart, Co. Mhaigh Eo, F28 XF50, Éire
National Parks & Wildlife Service, Lagduff More, Ballycroy, Westport, Co. Mayo, F28 XF50, Éire
T+353 (0) 98 49888/ 086 859 5166