Daytrips: Armagh Observatory & Planetarium

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium in Armagh City is open since 1968 but I first heard of it around five years ago and have wanted to go ever since.
We finally made it in August  2022 when we spent the hottest weekend of the year in Monaghan, before the return to school. Armagh is about a 25 minute drive,
 We booked online, a ticket for our family of 5 was £28 which includes one dome show.

Dome sho
ws run hourly with different ones aimed at different ages. You’re seated like in a theatre/cinema and looking up at the ceiling and dome walls for the show. We chose the Solar System one which was recommended for all ages, some are pitched at younger kids or toddlers etc. You can add extra dome shows to your ticket but we were happy with just one,

There’s a great playroom which my younger kids enjoyed, we dressed up as astronauts and had lots of fun

The exhibits are very  interactive and truly fascinating.

 

Rocket workshops run constantly, make your rocket and launch it outside, this is a real highlight, as you launch them outside and look at the aerodynamics  (don’t worry, it’s well supervised!)

Then walk through the Astropark with space related installations, a lovely short walk, and really interesting exhibits

There’s a small café but we walked down the hill to @4ccoffeehouse for a fab brunch instead

Located in Armagh city, it’s not too far for a day trip from Dublin – A great day out, we highly recommend.

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