Northern Ireland Summer Solstice...calling ABR'ers in Ireland!!

[Moorso]

Dear all Irish ABR'ers

Taking the idea in the thread started by stanbloke
There are several events (bear in mind archaeology is my thing) :woohoo:

There is an event at Beaghmore Stone Circle (Armagh - free) details here: Beaghmore Stone Circles

Failing that....maybe the Giant's Ring at Shaw's Bridge?

Let me know thoughts?
Given what happened at the NW200....weather dependent of course....after all, here it could be snowing!

Great idea by the way Stanbloke!!

Beaghmore

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Giant's Ring

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[Moto Bikemad]

Don't go up the Giants ring on your own, unless you want to get lucky .......

[stanbloke]

Good Luck Moorso.

....and Tá failte romhat, Saol fada chugat to all you fellas over the water. .

[Heff]

What do you actually have in mind Moorso do you have a masterplan?

Flintlock has over the last few years planned an all day ride out in or around this date

[Flintlock]

Dont like the sound of the giants ring hmy:

[Heff]

Giants Ring


Is that another name for the Blue Oyster Club :whistle:

[Moorso]

Yeah..... the Giant's Ring is, perhaps, an unfortunatly named monument! :laugh:

It was the embryo of an idea. But.....a ride out on the day culminating in the event at Beaghmore would be good. I will find details of what happens on the evening tomorrow and post them.

Do you think camping? As would you want to ride back at sunset? Probably not methinks. I'll campsites in the area too.

Any suggestions welcome.... my novice status at this probably tells!

[suzivstrom650]

keep us informed

[Moorso]

Right all.....

There appears to be events throughout the day....earlier for school parties, but later in the evening for all....free to attend and apparently "all welcome"

Astronomers from the Armagh Observatory and the Irish Astronomical Association (IAA), and archaeologists from the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA), are joining forces on Thursday 21st June, the summer solstice (BST), for a day of fascinating and participative education and learning activities at Beaghmore Stone Circles, County Tyrone. The summer solstice marks the longest day of the year, and this year’s event follows the highly successful series of activities provided at this important Bronze-Age site last January as part of the BBC’s “Stargazing LIVE” programme. Everyone is welcome to this event, which will showcase not just the astronomical alignments that are built into the site but also its puzzling archaeology and how these bits of the jigsaw fit into our understanding of the physical and historic landscape surrounding the site’s construction more than 4,000 years ago.

Later in the day, from 4 – 8pm, the event is open to adults and families when they will have the opportunity to participate in archaeological and astronomical tours at 5 and 7pm led by NIEA archaeologist, Claire Foley and Prof. Mark Bailey, the director of Armagh Observatory. Visitors will also have the chance to participate in a real research survey into the surrounding bog to see if any further stones can be identified by bog probing.

Members of the IAA will be on site with telescopes for solar observing (weather permitting) and will answer astronomical queries, including about the solstice.
There will also be an opportunity to meet the ancestors who built the circles with our Bronze Age Living History characters, who will talk about their way of life, weapons, tools and technologies.

There are also several campsites and places to stay in the area:
Shepards Rest

There is also Drum Manor Forest Park: Drum Manor

Clougher Valley park also takes tent pitches: Clougher Valley

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[Moto Bikemad]

Go to the Shepards Rest, it has its own pub.
Stayed there last year in the caravan,
Don't judge me, only had the caravan for 6 months :woohoo: