Embrace

01/03/2023

26/02/2023

⚠️ AURORA ALERT TONIGHT AND OVER THE COMING 48 HOURS 🌃

View the latest here 👉 https://www.donegalweatherchannel.ie/aurora-space-weather-forecast-ireland

21/12/2022

On this the winter solstice all eyes have been on the Newgrange passage tomb at Brú na Bóinne in County Meath and its incredible astronomical alignment with the rising winter sun but did you know that one of the largest concentrations of stone circles in Ireland lies just outside the Derry and Str...

07/12/2022

WINTER METEOR SHOWERS & FIREBALLS TALK - For my final talk of the year I will be chatting about observing meteor showers over the Winter period on December 21st at OM Dark Sky Park & Observatory in Davagh Forest. I will be covering meteor shower origins, basic meteor watching tips, understand meteor terminology, advanced observing, learn how to estimate the brightness of a meteor and measure the length of its trail just by using your eyes and hand.

We will learn how to identify fireballs and their associated smoke trains and I will provide viewing prospects for the up and coming Ursid and Quadrantid meteor showers during late December and early January. This talk is aimed at young to mature adults and is ideal for anyone interested in understanding the basics of meteor observing. You can book via the OM website via the link below...

https://omdarksky.com/guided-tours/winter-meteor-showers/

06/12/2022

Classic Disco Christmas Party this Saturday 10th December, join us good people! Always a good nights crack! Ticket link in comments

03/10/2022

Aurora Borealis from Northern Ireland

28/08/2022

Sperrins Walking Festival

26/08/2022

In co-operation with Embrace Tours and local guides, the heartland of Mid-Ulster offers some exciting and significant walking routes as part of the Sperrins Walking Programme. The walking weekend in Mid Ulster District Council will take place on Saturday 24th and Sunday 25th September.

Further information can be found at: https://sperrinspartnershipproject.com/sperrins-walking-festival/ OR https://farandwild.org/land/

Photo: Mary McKeown, Mid Ulster District Council with Cllr Dan Kelly, Chair of The Sperrins Partnership

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12/08/2022

Get your walking boots ready for the first Sperrins Walking Programme taking place September 2022 and March 2023 across Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB).

11/08/2022

GET YOUR WALKING BOOTS READY AND DISCOVER THE BEAUTY OF THE SPERRINS

Get your walking boots ready for the first Sperrins Walking Programme taking place September 2022 and March 2023 across Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural beauty (AONB).

The programme, developed and delivered by The Sperrins Partnership and outdoor experts Far and Wild, is designed to help walkers of all abilities to enjoy this beautiful landscape as well as promoting health, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing.
Sperrins Walking participants will not only enjoy discovering a destination filled with unique tourism experiences, but a great choice of walks ranging from leisurely strolls to more demanding longer walks, all in small groups, guided by experienced leaders.
Sperrins Walking Programme and dates are:

• Causeway Coast & Glens 3/4 September 2022: Explore the natural and human history in the Northern Sperrins with two challenging walks looking at late Bronze Age to current day heritage. Walks include Banagher Dam and Donald’s Hill to Sconce Fort.

• Derry City & Strabane 17/18 September 2022: Sperrins & Killeter features a wide variety of walks including Balix Boardwalk and Loop, Craignamaddy Loop, Carnanelly- Oughtmore- Goles, Leitrim Hill, Derg Lodge to the Derg River, Carrickaholten- Golandun McHugh-Causeway.

• Mid Ulster 24/25 September 2022: In co-operation with Embrace Tours and local guides, the heartland of Mid-Ulster offers some exciting and significant walking routes. Walks include Glenaruddagh Mt, Davagh Forest, Moydamlaght Forest to Glenshane Pass over Mullaghmore, Moydamlaght Forest looped walk to Eagle’s Rock.

• Fermanagh & Omagh 25/26 March 2023: One of the first programmed walks for the 2023. Walks include Gortin Lakes, Mullaghcarn, Tattynure to Bessy Bell, Sloughan Glen & Bollaght Mt.

Chair of The Sperrins Partnership, Councillor Dan Kelly said:
“We are very pleased to announce the inaugural Sperrins Walking Programme of events. This is the first time the 4 Councils that make up the Sperrins Partnership have come together to deliver a range of walks for all abilities to enjoy throughout the beautiful Sperrin Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) , while also promoting health, physical, mental and emotional wellbeing. The Sperrins Walking Programme encourages everyone to get out and get active while at the same time affording participants the opportunity to absorb the beauty of one of the most spectacular and undiscovered locations in the island of Ireland. I would encourage everyone to use this opportunity to get out, get active and enjoy our wonderful countryside.”

Lawrence McBride from Far and Wild commented:
"The Sperrins is a diverse upland environment and superb location for walking in the heart of historic Ulster. It is also a living and working landscape, where people dwell and earn their livelihoods, and have done since neolithic times. This makes it a fascinating destination for visiting and local walkers alike, replete with natural and human heritage for over 8,000 years. We are delighted to be back leading walks across 4 areas of the greater Sperrins hills, and engaging local communities and other excellent walk leaders to help deliver an insightful and fulfilling program."
For further information on the Sperrins Walking programme and to book your place visit https://farandwild.org/land/ or https://www.sperrinspartnershipproject.com/sperrins-walking-festival/

*PHOTO: l-r: Cllr Dan Kelly (Chair of The Sperrins Partnership), Louise McDermott (Derry City and Strabane District Council), Liz Steele (Causeway Coast & Glens Borough Council), Ciara Toner (Sperrins Partnership Project Officer), Mary McKeown (Mid Ulster District Council) and George Bradshaw (Fermanagh and Omagh District Council).

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10/08/2022

Amazing Hot Air Balloon demonstration this evening over the Sperrin Mountains

09/07/2022

Good luck today to Derry GAA and the men from the Sperrins who do battle with their ancient Connaught rivals today in Croke Park.

07/07/2022

To book you pitch on the campsite ring 028796285179

24/06/2022

22/06/2022

The last of the summer solstice sun as it magically appeared out of the sky over the Sperrin Mountains

Discover Northern Ireland

21/06/2022

No filter needed, the after glow of leaving the Sperrin Mountains , now the long wait to

21/06/2022

Unfortunately the cloud did not clear for sunrise but that didn't disturb the atmosphere at Beaghmore Stone Circles for

A great morning to get out and reflect on the year thst has passed and what has yet to come

19/06/2022

Summer Solstice is almost upon us, while we may not have the womderul weather we had last this bith sun rise and sun set can be enjoyed by all.

Come and meet many different types of people who hold this day sacred at Beaghmore Stone Circles and if we are lucky we may glimpse a look into our ancient past

Sunrise 4:40 am 21st June
Sun Set 10 pm 21st June

Apparo Restaurant & Boutique Accommodation Draperstown Shepherd's Rest Draperstown Campsite OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory Sperrin View Glamping Nightskyhunter

17/06/2022

Last few spaces available for tomorrow

Join us for a Summer Solstice weekend with a difference as Hugh McCloy local Seanchaí, Irish storyteller and historian, hosts a wand making workshop with a twist.

Date: Saturday 18th June
Time: 3.30pm-6pm
Price: £20.00
Booking Online: https://omdarksky.com/guided-tours/solstice-with-the-seanchai/

Under supervision from Hugh you will make your bespoke wand, adding in ancient runes and symbols. Hugh will lead you on a journey from the modern day observatory along the Solar Walk which connects us to an ancient site at Beaghmore Stone Circles. Enjoy an unforgettable tour of history and folklore.

14/06/2022

🌅 In just 1-week's time, we'll be enjoying the Summer Solstice - the longest day of the year! And there's a few events happening across Northern Ireland to celebrate.

18th June: Solstice with The Seanchaí at OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory
19th June: Awakening your Senses with Xhale
21st June: Summer Solstice with Embrace Tours at Beaghmore Stone Circles

13/06/2022

Join us for a Summer Solstice weekend with a difference as Hugh McCloy local Seanchaí, Irish storyteller and historian, hosts a wand making workshop with a twist.

Date: Saturday 18th June
Time: 3.30pm-6pm
Price: £20.00
Booking Online: https://omdarksky.com/guided-tours/solstice-with-the-seanchai/

Under supervision from Hugh you will make your bespoke wand, adding in ancient runes and symbols. Hugh will lead you on a journey from the modern day observatory along the Solar Walk which connects us to an ancient site at Beaghmore Stone Circles. Enjoy an unforgettable tour of history and folklore.

09/06/2022

Fantastic to have Joan and her group from America visit the Ancinet Sperrins with Cara Group Travel - Always Original

From one giant on the North Coast with Dalriada Kingdom Tours to the real giants of ancient Ulster in one day, many memories will have been made and many myths made a little more true.

Safe home, Hugh



OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory Friends of Beaghmore Stone Circles Discover Northern Ireland Visit Mid Ulster

Ireland is full of very special and sacred places. Joan and her friends visited some of the best with wonderful local guides like Auriel in Sligo, Mark at the Dalriada Kingdom Tours and Hugh in the Sperrin Mountains. Here you're in harmony with nature and all the beauty around you.

Rodgers

11/05/2022

Have you ever witnessed a Blood Moon Lunar Eclipse and shortly after see the sun rise????

Well you can on the 16th May, you can join Embrace At A Secret Location in The Sperrins, message page or email [email protected] for more details.

There will be storytelling and you will receive a hand made blackthorn wand that will be charmed under the moon light

£10 per person, very limited availability, contact us now



Discover Northern Ireland Friends of Beaghmore Stone Circles Explore Omagh & the Sperrins Region Visit Sperrins Visit Mid Ulster OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory

10/05/2022

Witness a once in a blood moon event with a lunar eclipse followed shortly after with a rising sun.....

If you enjoy stargazing, it’s time to cross your fingers and hope for clear skies overnight in the early hours of Monday 16th May

If the skies are clear, you’ll be able to see the Super Blood Moon, a total lunar eclipse

Traditionally the May full Moon is called the flower moon and sits high in the sky like freshly bloomed white hawthorn, only this year we see it as a lunar eclipse, a Super Bood moon.

Join me at a secret location in the Sperrins to watch the Moon Eclipse and the sunrise, weather permitting.

While this eclipse will be low on the horizon we will have height on our side.

There will be storytelling and you will take home a blackthorn wand that will have been charmed under a blood moon.

The moon begins ro eclipse at roughly 2:30 am and will last it disappears under the south west horizon. The sun will rise at approximately 5:20am if you want to stay out that long.

Message this page for more details or email [email protected]

Visit Sperrins Explore Omagh & the Sperrins Region Visit Mid Ulster Discover Northern Ireland Shepherd's Rest Draperstown Campsite Apparo Restaurant & Boutique Accommodation Draperstown Glasgowbury Sperrin Outdoors Sperrin View Glamping Friels bar and restaurant Glenshane Country Farm Dalriada Kingdom Tours

04/05/2022

At times stepping into The Beaghmore Stone Circles is like stepping into a galaxy far far away

OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory Apparo Restaurant & Boutique Accommodation Draperstown The Shepherds Rest Pub/Campsite/Wedding Venue Ireland Explore Omagh & the Sperrins Region Visit Mid Ulster Visit Sperrins Sperrin View Glamping The Market Inn (Draperstown) Glasgowbury The Emigrant's Walk Glenshane Country Farm Friels bar and restaurant Lough Neagh's Stories May the Force Be With You

28/04/2022

Great evening at Hill of The O Neill & Ranfurly House to celebrate the anniversary of the wedding of Hugh O'Neill with Mid Ulster District Council



CRAIC Theatre you were amazing

23/04/2022

Wonderful night with great company, thank you Nightskyhunter

21/04/2022

The Lyrid meteor shower peaks on Friday night April 22nd/23rd with maximum activity predicted for 20.00 BST. However Lyrids will be visible on the clear nights either side of peak night. The meteors will appear to radiate from a region of sky located near the bright star Vega visible in the east after dark.

Lyrids are fine dust particles from the dust trail which originated in an ancient comet called Thatcher, these particles impact our upper atmosphere at high velocity and due to friction and heat they become visible as a streak of light better known as a shooting star. Lyrids are easy to observe, simply watch the sky in any direction away from the radiant, no equipment is needed.

The ZHR is 15-18 Lyrids per hour, however in reality you will never observe these rates so please don't expect large numbers of meteors. That being said, Lyrids are pleasant to watch, swift, and sometimes bright, occasional fireballs are witnessed which are always worth seeing. A fireball is any meteor brighter than planet Venus (mag -5), some fireballs will light up the ground casting shadows and even leave glowing ion 'trains' among the stars in their wake, these are what keeps meteor watchers out.

I plan on watching both nights, if you are observing then I wish you clear skies and the very best of luck. The next good meteor shower will be the Perseids in August but more on that closer to the time.