Step inside the historic Crawford Observatory at University College Cork and experience a rare glimpse into Ireland’s astronomical past.

Built in 1881, this beautifully restored Victorian observatory houses original telescopes and instruments that once opened up the heavens to generations of stargazers. On this guided tour, you’ll learn how Cork became a centre for 19th-century astronomy, explore the stories behind the Observatory’s remarkable craftsmanship, and discover how its 150-year-old innovations connect to modern astronomy. Perfect for anyone curious about the stars or the history of how we’ve studied them.

Tours will be led by Professor Paul Callahan, Head of Physics at UCC and the driving force behind the Observatory’s restoration.

Booking and Details:

Date: Thursday 12 November 2026

Time: 6PM (tour is 45 minutes)

Cost: Free

Location: Crawford Observatory, University College Cork

Parking: UCC Visitor Car Park, Perrot Avenue (off College Road)

Accessibility: We regret that this event is not accessible. The Observatory features a very narrow entrance and a tight, winding staircase to the upstairs telescope.

Public Transportation: 205. Alternatives: 220, 216, 208

PROFESSOR PAUL CALLANAN is Head of School at UCC Physics. He has a PhD from NUI Galway. He followed this as a Research Associate in the Department of Astrophysics at the University of Oxford and a Hubble Fellowship at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics (Mass). Paul played a central role in the restoration of the Crawford Observatory in UCC.

Description supplied by the event organiser.