The Friends of Mayo Dark Skies Community Group are hosting the European Symposium for the Protection of the Night Sky from 3 to 5 November 2019 in Mulranny, County Mayo. This event offers a platform for research, activism and policy discussions on protecting the night sky.

 

The organisation committee for the European Symposium for the protection of the Night Sky is calling for abstract submissions. Abstract submissions will be accepted until 16 August 2019. 

 

The event  will be sanctioned by the International Dark Sky Association and is being held in collaboration with Dark Sky Ireland and an international organising panel. The event also follows the Mayo Dark Sky Festival from 1 to 3 November. ​

 

The Symposium’s programme includes plenary talks and workshops, research presentations and poster sessions, guest speakers, a field trip to Mayo International Dark Sky Park and a gala event with key speakers. More information about the Symposium is available on the event website.

 

Dark Sky Ireland was formed in 2018 as a national and cross-border partnership of stakeholder groups across the island of Ireland with the aim to raise awareness of light pollution in Ireland and promote the use of responsible  lighting through education and the development of a national policy and strategy in the absence of legislation. Dark Sky Ireland is also an IAU100 Special Project.

 

Ireland is home to two internationally recognised dark sky places; Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve and Mayo International Dark Sky Park. Other regions in Ireland are also seeking international accreditation for the quality of their natural skies. Dark Sky Ireland emphasized that dark sky regions provide rural communities sustainable tourism opportunities during out-of-season periods and are sanctuaries of tranquillity for the public to enjoy the benefits of a natural night sky.