'This could be a really big one': Strong possibility of Northern Lights over Ireland this weekend

A stunning display of the Northern Lights or aurora borealis visible from Sligo in February 2023. Picture: Gerry O'Donnell/Twitter

Irish stargazers are in for a treat this weekend as conditions for catching a glimpse of the Northern Lights are incredibly favourable.

According to Astronomy Ireland founder David Moore, we could have a “big aurora, and a clear sky” once clouds don’t roll in, and he says, “it’s going to be incredible.” 

Mr Moore hopes that the display won’t be “just a glow on the northern horizon,” he is anticipating “dancing curtains of light across the sky with reds and greens mixed to create a spectacular sight.” 

The Northern Lights occur in the Arctic area “practically every night,” but as far south as Ireland, we “only experience them about 1% of the time.” 

Aurora Borealis are caused by radiation that comes from the sun, and according to Mr Moore, this particular explosion looks like it will be “very strong.” 

Pinpointing the exact time the lights will occur is “very difficult,” but Mr Moore believes that from midnight to 3am will be optimal as “that’s when the skies are darkest.” 

He also said that anyone with a “good clear northern horizon” stands a chance of seeing the display, not just those in the usual hotspots.

“You hear great stories from Donegal and Mayo, but that doesn’t mean they get the best views,” Mr Moore explained

They get great results, not because of how far north they are, but because they’ve got nothing but the Atlantic Ocean ahead of them.

“There are no buildings, trees, mountains, or even the glow of a city to confuse the picture."

His advice to anyone living in a town or a city is to try and “get out” or at least try to be on the north side, so the view north is “not too bright.” 

However, that being said, Mr Moore went on to recall one Northern Lights display he experienced in Dublin many years ago.

“As the sun was going down, and the blue sky was fading away, it looked distinctly pink, even in the twilight.

“In the suburbs of a huge city like Dublin, you could see the aurora when it got dark over the rooftops no problem at all, and that was with all the streetlights on.

“So, a really good display, and you can even see it from cities,” he said.

Mr Moore truly believes that this weekend’s display could also “be a really big one.” 

“I will be ready, I’ve got my alarm set for sunset, and I’ll be checking the sky once it gets dark every five to 10 minutes.

“I’ll be up and down all night long because we don’t get chances like this very often,” he concluded.