The Louisburgh Astronomy Club is a community-focused astronomy group based in County Mayo, Ireland, designed for all ages and skill levels. Founded in 2019, the club aims to bring the study of the night sky to the local community. After a break, the club announced its return in early 2026, re-joining the Irish Federation of Astronomical Societies (IFAS). The club engages in amateur astronomy, including lunar observation, using equipment like an 8-inch Dobsonian telescope. They document their findings, such as imaging craters Atlas and Hercules and the Mare Crisium. 

Join them on March 23rd  for an immersive journey through the stars. Whether you’re a complete beginner who has never looked through a lens or a seasoned stargazer, this meeting offers a unique blend of local wonder and cutting-edge space exploration with four short talks on the night. You can also get a chance to meet fellow enthusiasts as the Louisburgh Astronomy Club builds its 2026 calendar.

Date: Monday, March 23rd, 2026

Time: 7:00 PM

Location: Louisburgh Town Hall

https://maps.app.goo.gl/xpk51MzX8p3Kf8TT6

Deirdre Kelleghan: “Mayo’s Skies & The Path to Artemis”

Deirdre is a renowned astronomy educator and artist known for her ability to blend the beauty of the night sky with the hard science of space exploration. She is also a strong advocate for observing the night sky through sketching. She teaches others how to record their observations of the Moon, Sun, and deep-sky objects using paper and pastels, emphasizing that you do not need complex equipment to connect with the cosmos. For more information about Deirdre go to https://deirdre-kelleghannbsp-skysketchergmailcom.weebly.com/

The Magic of Mayo’s Dark Skies: Deirdre will highlight why Mayo is home to some of the darkest, most pristine skies in Europe. She often discusses the Mayo Dark Sky Park and the importance of preserving our “natural heritage” of starlight from light pollution.

Eyeball Astronomy: This is her specialty—teaching people how to observe the heavens without expensive equipment. She focuses on “sketched astronomy,” where she uses pastels and paper to capture what the human eye sees through a lens, making the hobby accessible to everyone.

Artemis II Update: As of March 2026, the Artemis II mission—the first crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years—is in a critical phase, The Latest: NASA recently moved the launch window to April 2026 following a helium flow issue discovered during final checks. The Mission: Deirdre will likely discuss the crew (Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen) and the “free-return trajectory” that will take them further from Earth than any human in history.

David O’Toole:  “Technology Meets the Stars”

David brings the perspective of a passionate observer who has embraced the newest wave of “smart” telescope technology. The SeaStar Telescope,  This refers to the ZWO Seestar S50, a revolutionary “all-in-one” smart telescope. David will explain how this compact device integrates a telescope, electric focuser, astronomical camera, and ASIAIR controller into a single unit controlled by a smartphone.

What It Does: Unlike traditional telescopes that require manual alignment, the SeaStar uses “plate solving” to find celestial objects automatically. It live-stacks images, meaning it can “see” colorful nebulae and galaxies in minutes—things that are usually invisible to the naked eye.  David will share his personal journey with the device, focusing on how it removes the frustration of technical setup and allows for a more social, shared viewing experience. It’s about the pure enjoyment of capturing the universe from your own backyard with ease. Weather permitting see a live demonstrations of this modern piece of astronomical gear.

For more details about the club go to https://www.facebook.com/LouisburghAstronomy/