Mayo Dark Skies Community group appoints its first project administrator

The Friends of Mayo Dark Skies is delighted to announce the appointment of Amy Flanagan as the organisation’s first Part-Time Projects Administrator, a new role made possible through the Mayo Sustainability Fund, supported by the Sunflower Foundation and Community Foundation Ireland.

The new position is facilitated by a partnership with Leave No Trace Ireland and joins the Projects Coordinator at Dark Sky Ireland, the national NGO also based here in Mayo.

This milestone marks an exciting new phase for the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies group, strengthening its governance, strategic planning and capacity to coordinate sustainable community projects that celebrate and protect Mayo’s exceptional dark skies.

The growth of dark sky initiatives in Mayo demonstrates how environmental awareness, sustainability, and rural employment can go hand in hand. Alongside the Mayo Dark Sky Park at Wild Nephin National Park and the presence of Dark Sky Ireland, the formalisation of the Friends of Mayo Dark Skies group adds to the area’s reputation as a hub of innovation in dark sky tourism, sustainability and environmental protection.

Georgia MacMillan, Chairperson of Friends of Mayo Dark Skies, said: “This appointment represents a real step forward for our community group and for the wider dark sky movement in Mayo. It’s inspiring to see how dark sky protection is now contributing to meaningful local employment. Our region is showing that living free from light pollution isn’t just good for nature; we are starting to see this is a lifestyle choice for young professionals who are choosing to live and work under truly dark skies. We are delighted with Amy’s appointment and look forward to working with her on our future projects.”

In recent weeks, Friends of Mayo Dark Skies has delivered several key projects: Co-hosted the international Artificial Light at Night (ALAN) Conference in Westport, which saw record numbers attend from 42 countries including researchers, policy makers, planers and lighting specialists to explore the impacts of light pollution and solutions for sustainable lighting.

Host of the Annual Mayo Dark Sky Festival, a celebrated community-led event which is now a flagship Irish festival attracting visitors across Ireland and beyond to experience Mayo’s night skies through science, nature, arts and culture and which culminated last weekend with the incredible Lantern parade in Newport Mayo, closing with the outstanding Kíla concert in St Patrick’s Church.

Launch of Community Constellations for Dark Skies, a Heritage Council-funded project that will connect 20 community groups across the county. Together, they will form a symbolic “constellation network,” each community representing a star in a shared vision, promoting dark skies as a distinctive part of Mayo’s identity, heritage, and sense of place.

Dark sky preservation offers wide-ranging benefits, from safeguarding wildlife and improving human wellbeing to supporting rural tourism and sustainable development. The continuing collaboration among community groups, NGOs, and local institutions highlights Mayo’s leadership in balancing conservation with economic opportunity. Friends of Mayo Dark Skies remains a volunteer-led organisation, with its committee and board continuing to give their time and expertise to promote awareness, education, and action around dark sky conservation.

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