Armagh Observatory & Planetarium

College Hill, Armagh BT61 9DB

Mar 29, 2025

Address: College Hill, Armagh BT61 9DB
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Opening Hours: Tuesday - Sunday and on Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00am - 5.00pm
Cost: See Below

About

Armagh Planetarium is the longest running planetarium in the British Isles. The planetarium was opened in 1968 and celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018.

An icon of the space age when inaugurated, the 12m diameter Dome has witnessed the development of planetarium technology over the past half century. Initially equipped with a starball Goto projector, Armagh then pioneered the introduction of the video revolution into planetaria in the 1970’s. Today, Armagh Planetarium is equipped with a state-of-the art digital projector system providing an immersive experience under the full dome.

The technology behind Armagh Planetarium includes a Digistar 7 digital projector with two Sony GTZ270 laser diode projectors providing 4K native resolution and a contrast ratio of up to 20,000:1 on the dome. Images are processed using three computers, a host and a graphic processor for each projector, to produce dynamic, real-time representations of the cosmos onto the dome. A 64bit LED cove lighting system illuminates the dome when entering and leaving. A 5.1 audio system from Dante provides a high quality audio experience to accompany the digital presentations.

Armagh’s Education team deliver a variety of presenter-led shows under the dome, taking in journeys around the solar system and the stars. These are accompanied by full dome digital planetarium shows that can take the viewer anywhere in the cosmos. The dome can seat up to 95 people for a show.

Your Visit

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium is Ireland’s leading centre for astronomical research and education, and one of the top attractions in the City of Armagh.

We are normally open every Tuesday - Sunday and on Bank Holiday Mondays 10.00am - 5.00pm, when you can attend a show in our Planetarium dome and explore our exhibition area.

Our grounds, spanning around 20 acres of green space, are open 24/7 and provide many opportunities to get closer to both nature and space as well as some lovely views of Armagh.

The Observatory – featuring a number of historic telescopes – is both a beautiful Georgian building and an active research facility, so it can be admired from the outside, but it is only open to the public on scheduled tours.

Alternatively, a tailored group tour, Gold Tour, or Diamond Tour can be arranged for you - contact us for more details.

Cost

Exhinition Area Entry:
Adult £6.00 | Child (U16) £5.00 | Discounted Family Ticket (2 Adults & 2 or 3 Children) £20.00 | Under 3s Free

School Groups:
Child £5.25 | Teacher (Ratio of 1 teacher free for every 10 Children) Free

Group Rates (Digital Theatre Show and exhibition entry):
Adult £7.50 | Youth Groups £6.25

Lots To See And Do

For more information:

Website | Facebook | X (Twitter) | Instagram | Youtube
Phone: 028 3752 3689
E-mail: reception@armagh.ac.uk
Post: Armagh Observatory & Planetarium, College Hill, Armagh BT61 9DB

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