Stargazers’ paradise is latest victim of virus - opening of dark sky park and observatory delayed

Mid Ulster District Council, which has developed the £1.2m OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory at Davagh Forest in the foothills of the Sperrins, made the decision in light of the current restrictions and health guidance.

The building will, however, be open to visitors to the forest for information, use of facilities, including a changing places toilet, and a ‘grab and go’ for takeaway food and drinks.

Chair of the Council, Cathal Mallaghan, said it was ‘the most responsible decision.

He added: “While this is a huge disappointment, especially to the hundreds of people who had booked to enjoy the full OM experience, we feel it is the most responsible decision in the current context.

“Our dark skies, ancient landscape and fascinating archaeology aren’t going anywhere and we will be ready and waiting to welcome our first visitors for the full OM experience as soon as the current period of restrictions ends.”

Davagh Forest is one of only 78 places around the globe with official international dark sky accreditation. Eighty percent of people live under ‘skyglow’, a sky which is illuminated mostly by artificial light, known as light pollution.

The lack of light pollution at Davagh allows unrivalled views of the night sky and makes the site of the new visitor centre and observatory ideal for star-gazing.

Bringing space exploration right down to earth, the OM exhibition uses touch screens, binoculars, mini-telescopes and interpretative panels to help visitors explore the solar system, while donning a virtual reality headset means visitors can witness the birth of a star and the mesmerising Aurora Borealis, day or night.

The centrepiece of the building is the first floor observatory with a retractable roof where the 14 inch LX600 Meade telescope will be in action during special star-gazing events and VIP tours.

As well as the guided exhibition tour, the night-time experience on offer includes the OM Odyssey, an outdoor film screening which either speeds the audience from urban lights into the vastness of the universe or swoops them through an ancient forest, under the fast-flowing Broughderg River before they soar into the sky.

The project has been developed by Mid Ulster District Council, with funding investment of £500,000 secured from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) Rural Tourism Scheme under the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020 and a further £245,000 towards the project from the Landfill Tax Fund.