Stargazing in Limerick, Munster, Ireland

Dark-sky rating for Limerick

Limerick, Munster, Ireland is a small city (population about 102,287). A place this size typically has a rural to suburban transition: the Milky Way core can be glimpsed on clear, moonless nights. That is an estimate of Bortle class 4–5 from population, not a measurement: the real value depends on the exact spot you observe from.

For a measured reading at any point, open the live Dark Sky map.

Nearest dark-sky places and observatories

• Kerry International Dark-Sky Reserve · certified dark-sky place · about 135 km away

Milky Way season in Limerick

The Milky Way's bright core never climbs 20° above the horizon during astronomical darkness from Limerick; the fainter band is still visible from a dark site.

• The north celestial pole stands 52.7° above the horizon, so stars within 53° of it never set from here.
• About 89.8% of the whole sky rises above the horizon at some point in the year from this latitude.
• The Milky Way's core in Sagittarius culminates about 8.3° up, staying low, so a clear southern horizon matters.
• At 7 m elevation, roughly 0% of the atmosphere's mass is already below you, which measurably reduces extinction near the horizon.

Tonight and aurora

As of November 6, 2026 (UTC) the Moon is a Waning Crescent at 8% illumination. Aurora at 52.7° latitude generally needs about Kp 4.7.

Nearby places

• Cork, Munster, Ireland