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County Antrim · Northern Ireland
Spiritual Lisburn
If you live in or near Lisburn, this page brings the night sky, the old sites and the seasons together in one place. It covers where to find properly dark skies, what the sun and moon are doing across the year at Lisburn's latitude (54.5°N), the heritage and folklore places nearby, and when to order so your crystals, tarot or candles arrive in time.
The Giant's Ring, Ballynahatty. Photo: robertpaulyoung, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Region County Antrim
- Dark skies OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory
- Delivery UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days
The place to visit
Real photographs, with directions. Tap a map link to open the exact spot.
History, folklore and tips
The history
The Giant's Ring, a Neolithic henge about 200 metres across, is about 15 minutes' drive from Lisburn. Lisburn Museum and the Irish Linen Centre tell the story of the linen industry brought by Huguenot settlers.
Visiting tips
- The Giant's Ring is free and open at all times.
- The Irish Linen Centre is free.
- The Lagan towpath links Lisburn and Belfast.
From the shop
Shop for Lisburn
Crystals and gifts, delivered across Lisburn. UK delivery £3.95, free over £40, 2–5 working days.
Sky almanac for Lisburn
Dark skies and stargazing near Lisburn
Dark skies and stargazing near Lisburn
The nearest certified dark-sky place to Lisburn is OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Davagh Forest, about 57 km (35 miles) away as the crow flies. The next nearest is Galloway Forest Dark Sky Park, about 121 km (75 miles) away. The best nights are clear, moonless ones around a new moon. The next new moons are on 9 November, 9 December, 7 January, 6 February. Find event dates on the OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Davagh Forest website.
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Lisburn
Sunrise, sunset and the moon in Lisburn
At the June solstice on 21 June 2027, the sun rises in Lisburn at about 04:48 and sets at about 22:03 (BST), giving 17h 15m of daylight, 37 minutes more than in London. At the December solstice on 21 December 2026 it rises at about 08:44 and sets at about 16:00 (GMT), giving only 7h 16m. Around the March equinox (20 March 2027), sunrise is about 06:29 and sunset about 18:35. Between roughly 11 May and 3 August, the sun never sinks far enough below the horizon for full astronomical darkness, so the faintest stars and the Milky Way are hard to see. In folk tradition the full moon marks the month. The next full moons fall on 24 November, 24 December, 22 January, 20 February, 22 March. Times are calculated (NOAA formulas) and approximate.
Best times of year
Best times of year
Most of the good stargazing near Lisburn happens between October and March, when you do not have to stay up late for darkness.
For the Perseids in August 2027 the moon is 84% lit and sets over Lisburn at about 01:13, so the best watching is after moonset and before dawn. Full darkness on 12 August starts around 23:57 at 54.5°N.
The Quadrantids peak on the night of 3–4 January 2027 with the moon 12% lit. They are short and sharp, best after midnight, and the January cold means layers and a flask are essential.
Even from town you will see the brighter meteors; for the full show, OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Davagh Forest is the nearest certified dark place, about 57 km away.
On 2 August 2027 a partial solar eclipse is visible across the UK, weather permitting. Never look at the sun without certified eclipse glasses.
Lisburn: local questions
Where is the nearest dark sky reserve to Lisburn?
The nearest certified dark-sky place is OM Dark Sky Park and Observatory, Davagh Forest, roughly 57 km away in a straight line.
What time is sunrise in Lisburn on the summer solstice?
About 04:48 BST on 21 June 2027, with sunset about 22:03.
Are there ancient or sacred sites near Lisburn?
Yes. Nearby places include The Giant's Ring, Ballynahatty, Lisburn Museum and Irish Linen Centre. See the heritage section for details.
How much is delivery to Lisburn?
UK delivery to Lisburn is £3.95 and free on orders over £40. Most orders arrive within 2–5 working days.
Photographs are from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown, resized and converted for the web. Folklore is described as tradition. Starseed UK makes no health claims for any product.