Plans to extend Dark Sky

CARAGH LAKE, The Black Valley and Glencar could soon form part of the Dark Sky Reserve, with plans underway to extend the designation to other areas in Kerry.

A public meeting took place in Cappanalea on Tuesday afternoon to discuss a proposal to extend the Dark Sky Reserve into the Caragh Lake and Glencar area.

It is hoped to hold another similar meeting for the community in the Black Valley, who could also become part of the exciting project.

“This has never been done before. It is a niche market and very unknown, but it would be a shame not to examine the idea of extending the Dark Sky Reserve. These parts of Kerry are very suitable,” said co-ordinator Lee Griffin.

Southwest Kerry became the first ‘Gold Tier’ designated Dark Sky Reserve in the northern hemisphere back in 2014 and paved the way for developing astro-tourism in the county.

A dark sky reserve is an area that is the among the best in the world in which to view the night sky.

South West Kerry is just one of four ‘Gold-Tier’ reserves on earth, and encompasses a 700-square kilometre covering areas such as Cahersiveen, Valentia Island, Portmagee, Ballinskelligs, Dromid, Caherdaniel, Kells, The Glen, and Waterville.

It took a long campaign in Southwest Kerry to gain this internationally recognised status, and now it is hoped to build on this work and see other parts of Kerry develop along similar lines. The lack of light pollution in the county is a key factor for this designation and areas such as Glencar and Caragh Lake are described as perfect additions.

“It is very early days. We just want to see if communities are interested and if this can be done. There is a lot to do,” explains Lee.

Discussions have taken place with Kerry County Council on these proposals, and Tourism officer John Griffin attended Tuesday’s meeting to discuss the plans.

Promoting and supporting the Dark Sky Reserve is one of the key objectives of Kerry County Council’s tourism plans.

“Funding is key and we need to gauge interest,” Lee said.

“This meeting was to explain what needs to happen to extend the area We have to be together on this as a community.”

Photo by Michelle Cooper Galvin Pictured at the public meeting to extend the Kerry International Dark Sky Reserve were John Griffin, Kerry County Council; Jens Bachem; Director Steve Lynott; Lee Griffin, Reeks District. BACK: May Quirke, Folkert Vechtmann; Kathleen McGillycuddy; Richard O’Callaghan, KerryLife Project; Claire Slattery; Maria Morris and Director Cappanalea Outdoor Education Centre Donal Dowd on Tuesday.