Inishowen Maritime Museum has a state-of-the-art Planetarium. This incredible device and dome give us the ability to see how mariners used to navigate with the stars, and also provide dazzling astronomy and light shows.

With education and entertainment in mind, the Planetarium (one of only three in Ireland), is available to school groups for educational shows tailored to their specific curriculum, as well as the general public. And it's not "chalk and talk", either. Students can actually build and launch real rockets and we also demonstrate the principles of flight through Radio-Controlled models when weather permits.

Our planetarium also features Ireland's only permanently-installed concert laser. Laser Light shows are performed live every weekend during the summer season, accompanied by recorded Traditional and modern Irish music. The concert laser system is played by the laser artist, or "laserist", who creates variations of line and light, uniquely individualising every performance. The result is a splash of vibrant colours and laser illusions to dazzle your imagination and set your toe tapping.

During winter, we do not maintain a specific planetarium schedule. All features are available on a walk-in basis.

This new multi-media planetarium show tells how our solar system was created, gives a detailed tour of the planets, major moons, asteroids, and comets, explains why Pluto is no longer considered a planet, then tells how it will all come to an end, about 5 billion years in the future. It contains data from recent space missions as well as a wealth of entertaining information about our cosmic neighbourhood.

This new (Easter 2009) 40-minute planetarium show will tell you the difference between a meteor, a meteoroid and a meteorite and even tell you the best times to look for meteors. Variously described as "falling stars", "shooting stars" or other misnomers, meteors rain down upon the earth all the time and occasionally they create celestial fireworks. Did a meteor kill the dinosaurs? Could one kill mankind? Did life arrive on earth on a comet? Come learn all about things that go whoosh in the night.

Premiering in the spring of 2008, this up-to-date show includes "Everything you always wanted to know about Mars", including its history, speculation about life and the very latest findings from our probes and rovers.

This show is tailored for the younger set, ages 4 through 7. It describes how a housecat named Larry stows away in someone's luggage and goes to live on the moon. It's narrated by Larry, himself! Along the way, Larry imparts a little scientific knowledge in an entertaining manner.

Not a film or a video, this is a live laser performance featuring a riot of color and form set to Irish music and created by a laserist who plays the concert laser instrument. You'll see both abstract and graphic images dancing in time and space to the celestial beat to provide "music for your eyes". See the cosmic fireworks of the well-tempered laser under the stars.

(Laser shows require prior booking during winter)

For information or bookings, call 074 938 1363.

From N.I. & U.K.: 00 353 74 938 1363

Email the Planetarium

Museum & Planetarium Admission Combined: €10.00

(€5.00 additional charge if viewing more than one planetarium show.)

Museum Only: €5.00

Children, students and senior citizens: €3.00 for Museum, €6.00 for Museum & Planetarium

Family and group rates available. School groups especially welcome!

LINKS

The Current Rocket Season!

The Tullamore Astronomy Society

Meet our Sister Planetarium in Texas

Astronomy Ireland - Astronomical information and a great magazine!