'You don't want to miss this': Cork and Kerry to get stunning view of partial solar eclipse

All of Ireland will be able to see Wednesday's partial eclipse — and the South West will be treated to a once-in-a-lifetime event, with up to 98% of the sun covered

People are being warned not to look directly at Wednesday's partial solar eclipse. MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory has distributed 7,000 eclipse-viewing glasses, and will have a further 500 at its three public viewing locations in Cork City. Picture: Jordan Pettitt/PA

People in Cork and Kerry are being urged to seize a rare chance to witness Wednesday’s solar eclipse, with no comparable event expected to be visible from Ireland again until 2090.

Cork is expected to be among the best places in the country to view the eclipse shortly after 6pm tomorrow, Wednesday as the moon’s shadow tracks from Greenland and Iceland before looping around to the South-West of Ireland and northern Spain.

Although the path of totality will remain a few hundred kilometres from Ireland, parts of the South-West are expected to see up to 98% of the sun covered.

The last comparable eclipse visible from Ireland was in August 1999.

Niall Smith of MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory said “it’s been a long wait” to see another event of this scale so close to home.

The Dingle Peninsula in Kerry will offer one of the best views of the eclipse, but Cork City will also have several strong viewing locations, Mr Smith told the Irish Examiner.

“There will be three public viewings, including Bell’s Field, the observatory, and Tramore Valley Park.”

He said people should be able to view the eclipse from any location with a clear view of the sun between about 6pm and 8pm.

“Even if it is your back garden or the balcony of your apartment, if you can see the sun during those times near your home, you can see the eclipse,” he said.

“Please take the opportunity to see this incredible phenomenon. It is right on our doorstep.” 

While next year could bring a 58% viewing of another eclipse, it will be 2090 before Ireland sees one of this scale again.

“Yes, you can always travel to another country to view an eclipse, but not everyone can. If you are in Ireland, you do not want to miss this because it will be a very long wait to see something similar again.”

MTU Blackrock Castle Observatory head Niall Smith and science facilitator Caoimhe Lyons getting ready for Wednesday's partial eclipse. While people can enjoy the spectacle anywhere in Ireland, the observatory is also hosting events at Blackrock Castle, Bell’s Field, and Tramore Valley Park. See links below. Picture: Darragh Kane

Around 7,000 eclipse-viewing glasses have been distributed by the observatory, and a further 500 will be available to share at the public viewing locations.

Viewers are being warned not to look directly at the sun without proper eclipse glasses or specialist solar filters, as doing so can cause permanent eye injury. 

Polarised sunglasses, aluminium foil, and other improvised filters do not offer sufficient protection and should not be used.

The partial eclipse will begin shortly after 6pm, peak between 7pm and 7.15pm in Cork, and end shortly after 8pm.