COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM / TEMPLEOGUE / FIRHOUSE / BOHERNABREENA AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, September 12, 2023

MOTION NO.1

MOTION: Councillor L. Hagin Meade

That South Dublin County Council will explore the opportunity to gain Dark Skies Status for the Dublin Mountains, in the Firhouse-Bohernabreena area, in conjunction with Parks and Wildlife, adjacent Councils, and the Dublin Mountain Partnership, to improve access, tourism, and environmental education, and work towards a feasibility study for designated Dark Skies status.

REPORT:

A dark sky preserve is an area that restricts artificial light pollution to preserve the natural darkness of the night sky and promote astronomy. There are a number of designations given by the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), who are a non-profit organisation that advocates for the protection of the nocturnal environment.

Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve, which covers 700 square kilometres of land, and Mayo International Dark Sky Park have both been awarded a gold tier for the quality of their night skies, free from light pollution. The country’s newest dark sky block is the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory in Northern Ireland.

Other regions in Ireland are seeking international accreditation for the quality of their natural skies. Proving night skies are pristine or up to the standard of IDA accreditation can be challenging, especially within the outskirts of the largest urban area on the Island. It can take many years to achieve dark sky status and interested groups have had to undertake regular sky quality assessments, that involves submitting light meter readings in the darkest areas of their region.

Notwithstanding this, South Dublin County Council will make contact with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Dublin Mountains Partnership to explore the idea.