Area 700 km² | ||
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Similar Cerro Armazones, Cherry Springs State Park, Westhavelland Nature Park, Skellig Islands, Kejimkujik National Park | ||
The Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve (KIDSR) has been designated Ireland's first International Dark Sky Reserve 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). The official website for the Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve is at kerrydarksky.com
The Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve is approximately 700 km2 in size and covers nine regions.
- Kells/Foilmore
- Cahersiveen
- Valentia Island
- Portmagee
- The Glen
- Ballinskelligs
- Waterville
- Dromid
- 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
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
