The following is what happened at Cosmos 2010:

This Spring, the 18th Annual Cosmos Star Party (27th such event since the first Irish Astrofest in 1992) will take place in the rural and secluded surroundings of Annaharvey Equestrian Farm, Tullamore in County Offaly. This location affords MAC many advantages, such as being 3 miles from Tullamore on the Portarlington Road, and thus away from most of the light pollution, private surroundings, secure location, and overall a great relaxed atmosphere.

 

The speakers this year include:

	Mr. Declan Molloy, Midlands Astronomy Club "The Fermi Paradox"
	Dr. Stephen Smartt, Queen's University Belfast "Supernovae - the Hunt for Exploding Stars"
	Mr. Peter Household, Cork Astronomy Club "Is the universe a machine for producing life?"
	Prof. Norman McMillan, Carlow Institute of Technology "The Irish Astronomical Network of the 19th Century: The Golden Age of Irish Astronomy"
	Mr. Steven Roche, Deise Astronomy Club "Astrophotography - My Journey"
	Dr. Brian O'Halloran, Astrophysics Group, Imperial College London "The Herschel Space Observatory: The First Results"
	Mr. Seanie Morris, Midlands Astronomy Club "What was it REALLY like on Apollo 11?"

 

 

ABOUT COSMOS

The talks are interspersed with tea breaks and lunches, and throughout the weekend you can avail of:

• Displays & Exhibits from individuals and clubs	• Spot prize raffle & Bob's Astro Quiz
• Guided Astro Trek on the farm	• Cosmic Dinner (Saturday Night only, limited places)
• Astrohophotography	• Observing Sessions
• Astro Buy & Sell	• Good fun and relaxation

 

	Getting in some Solar Observing at Cosmos 2003, l-r: Jouke de Ruiter, Dave Lillis, Michael O'Connell (peeping), and Wally Mee

PROGRAMME AND POSTER

COSMOS 2010 Programme - Abobe pdf, 1.7MB.

COSMOS 2010 Poster - Thumbnail jpeg (424px X 600px, 127kB) :: Hi-res jpeg (1176px × 1666px, 620kB)

 

RATES

COSMOS 2008 is NOT a ticket event, so do not worry about booking a place. The prices for this years event are as follows:

Weekend Pass - €45 Regular, €35 Concession.

Saturday or Sunday only Pass - €25 Regular, €20 Concession.

Friday night only - €5 all.

 

NOTES
Regular = Adult and 3rd Level Student, Concession = secondary school students, and Retired/OAP. Children under 12 are gladly welcomed for free as long as they are accompanied with an adult.

All admissions include complimentary tea/coffee breaks, but exclude lunches and dinner. The lunch and dinner prices will be added here soon.

 

HOW TO GET HERE

All roads lead to Tullamore:

M6/M4 East	Dublin-Maynooth-Kinnegad-Tullamore
M6 West	Galway-Loughrea-Ballinasloe-Athlone-Tullamore
N52 South	Nenagh-Birr-Tullamore
N52 North	Dundalk-Kells-Mullingar-Tullamore
N54/55 North	Monoghan-Cavan (N55)-Granard-Mullingar-Tullamore
M4 West	Sligo-Boyle-Longford-Mullingar-Tullamore
M7 West	(N52 South)
M8/N8 South	Cork-Mitchelstown-Cashel-Abbeyleix-Portlaoise (M80 on to the N80)
N80 South	Wexford-Carlow-Portlaoise-Tullamore

From Northern Ireland:

A26	Colerain-Ballymena-Belfast (M1)
M1/A1	Belfast-Newry-Dundalk (N52 North)
A25	Derry-Strabane-Omagh-Monoghan (N54/55 North)

 

COSMOS LOCATION

Click to view larger image.

 

Directions:

From Tullamore, take the R420 to Portarlington. Continue for 3 miles and on the left will be Annaharvey Equestrian Farm. Signs will be erected on the soft shoulder from both directions approaching Annaharvey Farm. Give plenty of notice to the driver(s) behind you that you will be turning!

 

ACCOMMODATION

It is highly recommended that you book your accommodation if travelling from afar as soon as possible. There are many B&B's in the town and surrounding areas (accommodation list). Please Note: accommodation in Annaharvey itself is fully booked out!

 

ANNAHARVEY FARM

Click to find out more information about Annaharvey Farm (www.annaharveyfarm.ie)