Press Release from 5th May 2021
Today, May 5th 2021 marks the 5th anniversary of the official creation of Mayo International Dark Sky Park, an area of outstanding natural beauty which adds another aspect to the already stunning Wild Nephin National Park.Indeed the dark sky has always been a feature of the 11,000 hectare National Park and the accreditation is a way of emphasising this. The National Park and International Dark Sky Park is located along the Western seaboard of northeast Mayo, covering a vast uninhabited and unspoiled wilderness. Whilst the Nephin Beg Mountain Range dominates by day, the dramatic night skies are the star of the show come sunset. The sense of intrigue and magic that visitors experience on viewing the night sky from the Park highlights the importance of preserving areas that are naturally dark. Unfortunately dark skies are becoming increasingly rare, but establishing the Dark Sky Park has also been a way to communicate this loss of natural darkness that is due to increasing artificial light at night (ALAN).Much has happened in these five years since the dark skies international accreditation. The Park has played a major role in the development of North Mayo as a tourism destination, and under the management of the National Parks and Wildlife Service at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, its reputation is going from strength to strength. See full press release below: