Solar eclipse in Ireland: What to expect, when, where, and how to protect your eyes

A total eclipse of the sun will miss Ireland by only a couple of hundred kilometres, but we will get the next best thing, with 93 per cent coverage in the north and up to 98 per cent coverage in the extreme southwest.

What time?

The partial solar eclipse will begin between 6.09pm in the north and a bit later the farther south you go. Mid-eclipse will be between 7.07pm and 7.13pm and will end just after 8pm across the island.

By mid-eclipse the sky will appear darker than expected, but light levels will still be generally equivalent to a heavily overcast winter’s day or 10-20 minutes before sunset on a clear evening. The sun’s low altitude at this time may alter expectations, though.

A reasonably clear western skyline would allow you to watch the proceedings as the sun starts to get low. The sun will be about 15 per cent above the horizon during the eclipse, an angle that could mean it is obscured by tall trees or buildings, so a clear western horizon will be essential.

Changes in the ambient light level will only become apparent when the sun is nearly 80 per cent obscured.

Where are the best places to see it?

People in the west and south might get up to 98 per cent coverage, while the east and north could get up to 94 per cent coverage.

The best place to see the eclipse will probably be in the southeast, Wicklow, Waterford, Kilkenny and Carlow. The next best is likely to be east Leinster, including Dublin, Meath and Louth.

For the southwest, the forecast is less certain as there are risks of cloud cover. It’s the same in the north and northwest, where it’s likely to be cloudy.

Any places holding events?

Dunsink Observatory sold all tickets for its event and has a waiting list of 700.

Armagh Observatory and Planetarium will be hosting a day full of family-friendly activities on Wednesday to mark the eclipse.

Other places hosting events include Ballycroy Visitor Centre in Mayo, Blackrock Castle Observatory in Cork, the Irish Astronomical Society (at the Phoenix Park Visitor Centre), the Irish Astronomical Association in Belfast and Midlands Astronomy Club.

Maynooth University has sold out its 450 tickets for a public viewing event, and there is a waiting list with hundreds more.

What should I do to protect my eyes?

Eye experts are urging people not to look directly at the Sun during this evening's eclipse.

Liz Grennan, President of Optometry Ireland, says looking directly at the sun will cause damage to your eyes.

“Really there is no safe way to look at the sun with your own eyes,” she says. “Even a camera on your phone, the sensors on those devices are very sensitive to this light. It’s not just ‘throw on a pair of sunglasses, and it will be fine’. Even a welding mask is not good enough to look at an eclipse.”

Certified eclipse glasses have filters made with special material to reject the sun’s dangerous energy across various wavelengths, but check for any pinholes first by holding them up to a light, and discard if you notice any scratches.

Unfortunately, many major retailers are out of stock of the ISO 12312-2 certified eclipse glasses needed for looking at the sun.

Without taking proper precautions, there is a risk of permanent eye injury due to thermal retinal burn. Your eye’s retina has no pain receptors, so you are unaware as the harm is being done.