Kerry International Dark Sky reserve over WINTER Break.

New Year Celebrations : best and busy with fireworks and midnight parade ..Dingle. Book early as it will fill up all hotels B&Bs but far away from Ballinskelligs Dark sky but the sky west of Dingle will be as dark in winter.

Portmagee has a very unusual ring in new year celebration . small location ...book Moorings B&B great food.

Killarney town will be busy post Christmas and for New Year. Lots of Hotel B&B accommodation ....Great street lights ...Saturday evening parade ....Busy pubs ...lots to see and do

I live in the Kerry Dark Sky Reserve, so can share a bit of first-hand knowledge! (the stars were spectacular last night, by the way, even WITH the full moon!).

Killarney isn't technically in the Dark Sky area. The light pollution there is terrible. We can see the glow in the sky all the way to the hills of Waterville. Really.

I'd suggest Waterville, Portmagee or Knightstown (Valentia Island) as they 3 all have hotels open year round. We have parties in Waterville and Portmagee for New Years Eve, and I don't know about you but the idea of going to Dingle with 10,000 people sounds like a TERRIBLE crowd! That was the number this past weekend. Waterville was a blast - the kids events start at 8:00 pm and it is a fun, but family friendly, night. My husband and I ate at The Butler Arms Hotel and it was superb. Keep in mind we book 6 days before NYEve and didn't get the seating we wanted, so things fill up fast that night around here! Also for the teens (if they're older teens) a disco starts at The Sea Lodge at 1:00 a.m.! (ah, to be young...)

I was in Portmagee for lunch at The Moorings at 2:00 pm on NYEve and it was heaving..... so I can imagine in that tiny area it was probably pretty crazy by midnight!

Technically Ballinskelligs beach isn't on the Dark Sky area, either - due to the lights in the car park. But it's still pretty darn impressive ti walk on that beach in the dark on a calm night and see the stars!

If you'd like a guide, I'd suggest Steve Lynotte (or Lynott) - he's very experienced in the stars and the area. 353-87-258-2845. I couldn't find a website, but I know he does tours! He's based near Cahersiveen/The Glen area.

I did give a Dubliner some tips on backroads a few weeks ago, and he emailed me later and said it was awesome and he didn't have to go into the mountains as much as he was expecting to before he talked to me.

I have a sister that lives near Yellowstone; another near Rocky Mountain National Park. Trust me - the stars when I walk out my door in the Cable Station area, with a street light near my door, are better than ANY I have seen in America. It's just amazing!

And remember - best seen farthest from the full moon!

Susan
Expat living in Waterville.

Dear Pat and Susan.
This is exactly the information I needed. I will print these replies and get on it.
Dingle sounds fun for another time, but I think this time we are looking for a bit slower pace . So it is Very helpful to get a sense of the "vibe" there. - and to be reminded how far away it is from the Reserve.

I will look at the lunar calendar. We were driving home under last night's moon in Alabama and the husband observed lunar cycle needs to be at least considered.
Looking at the map, Waterville seemed to be a good size for craic . So glad to learn there are a couple of year-round lodging options. and some New Year's possibilities.

Cheers to you both and thank you again.
Christine

In case anyone is reading this stream, I want to add that there are hotels in Cahersiveen & Kells open year round, too! I forgot to mention that, and re-reading my post made me realize it looks like I'm saying that.

Also - Derrynane Hotel has been bought (yea!) and evidently will be reopening in the Spring -- so do google that as the time is closer (it may have a new name) as a very nice area to stay in!

Susan
Expat living in Waterville

Susan covered it nicely but have to say seeing the stars from the Glen on a clear night without a moon was one of the most incredible sights of my life. My wife and I stayed up for hours in awe. Far better than our trips out to the Rockies in the US. I hope you get to see the night sky there....it is insanely beautiful.

Waterville is an awesome place - so warm welcoming and fun - and the food at The Butler Arms was delicious. We are bringing our daughter back there in a couple months. Can't wait !

And ANOTHER comment!!

:-)

I had a visitor last weekend from Japan who came to see the Kerry Dark Sky. It was lashing lashing lashing..... a terrible weather prediction! Friday night we watched RTE news and the weather lady said "clouds clearing out around 5 a.m., more rain late morning." Amazingly, we set the alarm for 5:00 a.m.!! Yes, after being at Mike Murt's Pub for live traditional music until 1:00 a.m.!!

Well, I looked out the window and said "yep, I see stars" so we got dressed, walked about 10 minutes to the bridge (we were in Cahersiveen) and had 90 minutes of unbelievable star watching. We even saw a shooting star! He was absolutely amazed - it was just what he wanted.....

This time of year the sun comes up after 7:00 so we had really dark skies. It was a wonderful South Kerry experience!

Susan
Expat living in Waterville/Skellig Coast