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OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory

155 Davagh Road, Davagh Forest, Omagh, County Tyrone, BT79 8JQ
A couple looking up at a telescope

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About

Take a journey through time and space with a visitor experience that’s out of this world. Book your visit to Northern Ireland’s only International Dark Sky Park. Fully guided by an experienced tour guide, the centre will give visitors a unique opportunity to experience the night sky as it is rarely viewed.

Combining the latest tech, from holographic installations to virtual reality headsets, to bespoke evening audio-visual shows, visitors to the centre will be able to explore our solar system, star-gaze using telescopes to view the night sky without light pollution as Davagh is the only official ‘dark sky’ park in NI.

Davagh Forest has one of the ‘darkest skies’ in Ireland, which means there is so little light pollution that there are crystal clear views of star constellations and the Milky Way.  

Near the ancient Beaghmore Stone Circles, at the foot of the Sperrin mountains, the observatory is at the heart of a rich landscape of substantial archaeological and cultural significance and a history which spans millennia.

Facilities

Accessibility

  • Guide dogs permitted
  • Toilets for disabled visitors

Attraction Facilities

  • Gift Shop
  • Guided Tours Available
  • Open Evenings
  • Open Mondays
  • Open Sundays

Catering

  • Picnic Area

Children & Infants

  • Baby changing facilities
  • Children's outdoor play area
  • Suitable for Children

Establishment Features

  • Accept coach parties
  • Accommodation nearby
  • Cater for school groups
  • Event venue
  • First Aid
  • Gift vouchers
  • Groups accepted
  • Groups catered for
  • Lift/Elevator
  • Online Booking
  • Route maps available
  • Self guided walks/cycle rides
  • Shop
  • Showers
  • Talks
  • Toilets
  • Visitor information
  • Wi-fi available
  • Workshop

Leisure Facilities

  • Wifi

Parking & Transport

  • Car parking
  • Coach parking
  • On site parking
  • Parking Areas for Disabled Visitors

Payment Methods

  • All major credit/debit cards accepted
  • American Express accepted

Printed Material in Foreign Languages

  • Printed Material in Foreign Languages

Provider Preferences

  • Educational Visits Accepted
  • Film or TV location
  • Forest Location
  • Guided Tours Available for Individuals
  • Indoor Attraction
  • Non smoking establishment
  • Outdoor Attraction
  • Unique venue

Specialist Features

  • Marketed as green/environmentally friendly

Guide Prices

Ticket TypeTicket Tariff
OM Guided Exhibition Tour£5.00 activity
OM Guided Exhibition Tour£3.50 activity
OM Guided Exhibition Tour£3.50 activity

To avoid disappointment pre-booking is advisable. Walk ins may be accommodated depending on availability.  
Group rates available. Please contact us for group tours and information for tour operators.

Events

Saturday, 25th March 2023 - Saturday, 25th March 2023

Telescope pointing through the observatory roofSaturday Observing SessionsDrop by OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory every month to check in on what our astronomers are up to as they delve into the dark skies.
more info

Sunday, 26th March 2023 - Sunday, 26th March 2023

Deep space nebula Junior AstronOMy ClubCalling all junior astronomers and space enthusiasts! Come join us for a tour through outer space. We will take a closer look at our Sun, Moon and all the planets in the solar system.
more info

Friday, 31st March 2023 - Friday, 31st March 2023

Stars and galaxies in deep spaceAstronOMy ClubA sociable evening session with our resident astronomers discussing what is currently visible in the night sky. The evening will be of interest to all astronomy enthusiasts, from beginners to seasoned observers, all welcome!
more info

Friday, 31st March 2023 - Friday, 31st March 2023

The Moon above trees in the forestLunar ObservingObserve the Moon's stark landscape through our state-of-the-art 14" Meade telescope. We'll explore famous craters, mountains and seas on the lunar surface. Come enjoy some lunar sightseeing at OM!
more info

Saturday, 1st April 2023 - Saturday, 1st April 2023

Milky way over the seaMeteor Showers & Fireballs with Martin McKennaIn this informative talk from Martin McKenna also known as Night Sky Hunter, you'll learn how to take advantage of clear night skies to observe upcoming meteor showers.
more info

Video

  • Stars and Stones Experience

Add OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory to your Itinerary

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Call direct on:

Tel+44 (0) 28 8676 0681

Map & Directions

Opening Times

OM Guided Exhibition Tour (1 Jan 2023 - 31 Dec 2023)
DayTimes
Monday - Thursday11:30 - 12:30
14:00 - 15:00
17:00 - 18:00
Friday - Saturday11:30 - 12:30
14:00 - 15:00
17:00 - 18:00
19:00 - 20:00
Sunday11:30 - 12:30
14:00 - 15:00
17:00 - 18:00

* April – September: Monday – Sunday 11:00 – 19:00
October – March: Monday – Thursday 11:00 – 19:00
Friday and Saturday 11:00 – 21:00
Sunday 11:00 – 19:00

What's Nearby

  1. A film projection on to the outside of the Observatory building, our OM Odyssey will take…

    0 miles away
  2. A 3.4km Solar Walk linking the observed solar system in the sky with the astronomical…

    0.02 miles away
  3. The true definition of a hidden gem, Davagh Forest is an International Dark Sky Park and…

    0.33 miles away
  1. Mysterious complex of 7 Bronze Age stone circles and alignments. It's where megalithic…

    1.49 miles away
  2. Wellbrook is nestled in an idyllic wooded valley. As you come over the hill and see the…

    5.4 miles away
  3. The attractive eighteenth-century demesne is now a forest park. Colourful in spring and…

    6.57 miles away
  4. Lissan House is an enchanting country residence set within a 260 acre demesne of ancient…

    6.58 miles away
  5. The only theatre venue of its kind in Mid Ulster, the Burnavon Arts and Cultural Centre…

    8.43 miles away
  6. Killymoon castle sits in picturesque surroundings overlooking the Ballinderry River on…

    9.77 miles away
  7. Step back to 1912 as you experience the Lenox-Conyngham home on the morning they left to…

    10.69 miles away
  8. Tullaghoge Fort was a royal power centre which came to historical prominence in the 11th…

    10.77 miles away
  9. Maghera Walled Garden, a restored Victorian Garden on the grounds of a medieval 4th…

    12.88 miles away
  10. Nestled in a secluded area located 2.5 miles to the North West of Maghera, Tirkane is a…

    12.9 miles away
  11. The town of Maghera is a site of religious significance from ancient times.

    13.03 miles away
  12. One mile north of Maghera stands a prehistoric tomb at least 4,000 - 6,000 years old.…

    13.04 miles away
  13. An Carn Arts Centre is a state of the art facility catering for the artistic needs of the…

    13.48 miles away
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Related

A woman walking along a path in Davagh Forest.Davagh Forest, CookstownThe true definition of a hidden gem, Davagh Forest is an International Dark Sky Park and lies approximately 6 miles north west of Cookstown in an untouched rural landscape of rolling hills and sweeping forests.

Family walking on boardwalkOM Solar Walk, Northern IrelandA 3.4km Solar Walk linking the observed solar system in the sky with the astronomical solar and lunar alignments at the ancient site of Beaghmore Stone Circles.

A couple with headphones watching the outdoor projection of the sunOM Odyssey Outdoor Film ProjectionA film projection on to the outside of the Observatory building, our OM Odyssey will take you on a journey through time and space.

Map & Directions

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