ALAN 2025 – Conference Venue
Dark Sky Ireland is delighted to co-host, together with the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies group and the International Steering Committee, the 9th International Artificial Light at Night Conference (ALAN 2025) in Westport, Co. Mayo from October 28 to October 31st 2025.
This is the first time the conference is taking place in Ireland and Westport has been selected as the key venue for its proximity to the Gold-tier Mayo International Dark Sky Park, which was awarded the prestigious “Dark Sky Place of the Year Award 2024” by DarkSky International.
Sited in the shadow of the Reek (Croagh Patrick Mountain) and overlooking Clew Bay, Westport is a picturesque, heritage town with tree-lined boulevard and stone bridges over the Carrowbeg River. With multi-coloured shop fronts, charismatic cafés, pubs and unique restaurants, it has become one of Ireland’s most popular towns and is widely considered as being safe and friendly for visitors with a vibrant cultural life. It has won the Irish Times award for the “Best Place to live in Ireland” and caters for those that want an adventure experience with easy access to hiking, sailing, cycling and of course, stargazing in the nearby Mayo Dark Sky Park.
Please see www.destinationwestport.com or www.westporttourism.com for further details on Westport and a full range of accommodation options.
Venue: Westport Woods Hotel
Westport, Co. Mayo, Ireland F28 FK23
Westport Woods is a locally owned 4 Star Hotel, nestled in a 300-year-old wood, close to the heart of the town. The hotel offers a beautifully appointed range of bedrooms and a team of friendly staff. The Beech Club Leisure Centre on site includes an 18m swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam room, sauna and gym. The Spa offers a range of organic therapies including seaweed-based treatments.
Westport Woods is committed to reducing its carbon footprint and operating in a sustainable way, and is currently taking action to control and reduce the use of energy, water and production of waste on-site, as well as improve social sustainability and green procurement. For ALAN 2025, the Hotel is offering a special discount rate of €149 per double room inclusive of breakfast. Further details and booking are available at www.westportwoodshotel.com.
Mayo Dark Sky Festival
The ALAN 2025 conference will be immediately followed by the Mayo Dark Sky Festival, which will be taking place from October 31 to November 2, 2025
Mayo Dark Sky Festival, fast becoming one of the most exciting and interesting festivals in the region, celebrates the rich cultural heritage of Mayo’s Dark Skies. Organised by the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies following the gold tier accreditation of Mayo Dark Sky Park, it takes place in the communities around the Dark Sky Park in Newport, Mulranny and Ballycroy close to Westport.
First organised in 2016 as an astronomy festival, it is now an annual event and covers all themes connected with dark skies including culture, wellbeing and ecology, particularly as we learn more about the impacts of light pollution on all of these areas of our lives. The programme features walks, talks, exhibitions, live performances and family friendly events with a warm and welcoming atmosphere. If you wish to experience this wonderful festival as part of your visit, Early Bird tickets are available to book, together with programme details for 2025, at www.mayodarkskyfestival.ie.
Mayo Dark Sky Park
Mayo Dark Sky Park was Ireland’s first Dark Sky Park, awarded the prestigious “Dark Sky Place of the Year Award 2024” by DarkSky International and has been awarded a gold tier for the quality of its night sky, free from light pollution. It is an important asset of natural night sky heritage showcasing some of the darkest, most pristine skies in the world. Nestled between the remote Nephin Beg Mountain Range and the unspoiled Atlantic coastline, the Dark Sky Park extends across an area of 150 square kilometers and it encompasses the lands of Wild Nephin National Park. The site is completely free to access anytime, day or night and with 3 signature-viewing sites to choose from. Further details are available from www.mayodarkskypark.ie.
Getting to Westport
Irish Rail /Iarnród Éireann (National Rail service)
Westport is serviced by both train, through Irish Rail, and by bus through Bus Eireann. Services run 7 days a week, with Irish Rail links and Bus Éireann routes running to many locations in Ireland throughout the day. Our conference hotel, and all town centre hotels, is within walking distance or a short taxi ride from the train station. Linking from Dublin City Centre (Heuston Station) to Westport Mayo, journey time is approximately 3.30mins.
Bus Éireann, Ireland’s national bus service, operates a bus from Ireland West Airport every 4 hours. The journey takes approx. 1h 9m.
Telephone: +353 1 8366111/
Email: CustomerCare@buseireann.ie
Car Rental is available from all airports. Please note in Ireland driving is on the left-hand side of the road and most rented cars are stick shift /manual gearboxes.
Flights
Ireland West Airport Knock is the closest airport to Westport, offering convenient, and often low-cost, access to the UK and some European destinations.
Dublin International Airport is Ireland’s main and busiest airport with direct access to Westport via the M4 motorway.
Shannon airport is the second largest airport in Ireland and offers easy access to European cities and transatlantic destinations. It is also located on the West Coast of Ireland.
Driving times from the main airports are:
From Ireland West (Knock): 63km (39 miles) – 50 minutes
From Shannon: 164km (102 miles) – 2 hours
From Dublin: 252km (156 miles) – 3 hours and 30 minutes
From Belfast: 305km (190 miles) – 4 hours 15 minutes
For more information see www.destinationwestport.com/getting-to-westport.
Electricity: 240 volts AC | Overseas visitors will need a flat 3 pin adapter (same type as UK).
Currency: Euro in Ireland | Pound Sterling in Northern Ireland
Shopping: Mon-Sat from 9am – 6pm. Sunday (some shops) open from 12 – 6pm. Tax Refunds are available for non-EU residents (check in store)
ALAN 2025 – Open Street Map
