Schull
Planetarium, part of the local Community College, is the only
Planetarium in the Republic of Ireland and provides a unique
educational resource.
On the Planetarium's 8
metre dome, the Carl Zeiss single sphere sky projector shows an
accurate representation of the night sky from anywhere in the northern
hemisphere.
Located in the seaside village of
Schull in West Cork, the 70 seat Planetarium has a beautiful situation
beside the harbour and in the shadow of Mount Gabriel. Known primarily
for its fishing and sailing, Schull is the location of the Fastnet
International Schools Regatta.
The Planetarium
came to be built in Schull due to the largesse of the late Herr Josef
Menke, a German industrialist with a keen interest in astronomy. The
Menke family were frequent visitors to Schull and felt, like so many
others, the area's distinctive charm. Such was Schull's appeal to Herr
Menke that he undertook to provide the community with a planetarium
projector, if the community would provide the building to house it.
The task was accomplished through the joint efforts of the
Cork Vocational Education Committee (VEC) and Schull Development
Association, with financial support from Bord Fáilte, the
National Lottery, the West Cork Development Association and Cork County
Council. The Planetarium was opened on the 9th of March 1989, by the
then President of Ireland, Dr. Patrick Hillary and has since provided a
sterling service to local and visiting astronomers, as well as people
who just want to learn a little about the night sky .
Be sure to take in one of the Star Shows during your holiday!
For details Click
here For Opening Times and
Entrance Fees Click here
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