Armagh Observatory & Planetarium — Dome shows, hands-on space exhibits and one of the oldest working observatories, in the heart of Armagh.
What you'll see: Digital dome shows of the night sky, hands-on space exhibits, and a walk-through scale-model solar system in the grounds.
Getting there: College Hill, close to Armagh city centre; signposted locally.
When to go: Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 10am to 5pm; weekends and Bank Holidays have hourly dome shows.
Facilities: Interactive exhibition, sensory room, café and shop; toilets on site.
Cost: Dome show plus exhibition from Adult £10, Child (U16) £7, concession £8.50, family £32, pre-school show £5, under-3s free; exhibition-only from Adult £6, Child £5. Check current prices when booking.
Good to know: Allow two to three hours; last entry 4:30pm.
Plan your visit
The dome shows
The dome is the reason to book ahead. Shows are grouped by age, so under-5s get a shorter, brighter film with less darkness, families get something pitched at younger children, and adults get a longer, more scientific session. During term time the planetarium suggests weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays, when dome shows run every hour and there is a walk-in workshop too. Your dome ticket also covers the exhibition area and sensory room, so it is the fullest way in.
Digital planetarium dome showsShows for under-5s, families and adultsHands-on space exhibitionWalk-through solar system in the groundsOne of the oldest working observatoriesCafé and shop on site
Good to know before you go:
Alongside the daily dome shows, Armagh runs special events through the year, from meteor-shower nights and eclipse gatherings to school-holiday workshops and seasonal shows. Check the What's On page before you travel, as popular dates sell out.
Before you set off
What to bring
🎟️Your bookingDome shows and events sell out — book your slot before you travel.
🧥A warm layerHandy if there’s outdoor telescope time on the night.
🧒The little astronomersThe shows are built to fire up curious kids — bring them.
📱The what’s-on pageShows and star-parties change with the season — check before you go.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Type
Observatory, planetarium and space exhibition (ticketed)
What you'll see
Digital dome shows of the night sky, hands-on space exhibits, and a walk-through scale-model solar system in the grounds
Getting there
College Hill, close to Armagh city centre; signposted locally
Facilities
Interactive exhibition, sensory room, café and shop; toilets on site
When to go
Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 10am to 5pm; weekends and Bank Holidays have hourly dome shows
Cost
Dome show plus exhibition from Adult £10, Child (U16) £7, concession £8.50, family £32, pre-school show £5, under-3s free; exhibition-only from Adult £6, Child £5. Check current prices when booking
Booking
Pre-book dome shows online at armagh.space; exhibition-only tickets on arrival
Good to know
Allow two to three hours; last entry 4:30pm
Parking
On-site parking; check availability at busy times
Address
College Hill, Armagh BT61 9DB
Questions
Before you go
Is it free?
Dome show plus exhibition from Adult £10, Child (U16) £7, concession £8.50, family £32, pre-school show £5, under-3s free; exhibition-only from Adult £6, Child £5. Check current prices when booking
When is the best time to go?
Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 10am to 5pm; weekends and Bank Holidays have hourly dome shows
What will we actually see?
Digital dome shows of the night sky, hands-on space exhibits, and a walk-through scale-model solar system in the grounds
Are there any facilities?
Interactive exhibition, sensory room, café and shop; toilets on site
What should we bring?
Allow two to three hours; last entry 4:30pm
Getting there
Armagh Observatory & Planetarium is at College Hill, Armagh BT61 9DB. College Hill, close to Armagh city centre; signposted locally. Tap below for directions.
Armagh Observatory was founded in 1790 by Archbishop Richard Robinson, and it is the oldest continuously working astronomical research institute in Britain and Ireland. The Troughton equatorial telescope, installed in 1795, is believed to be the oldest in the world still set in its original dome.
The observatory keeps a meteorological record more than two centuries long, the longest from a single site in the UK and Ireland, and its astronomers still work on the Sun, the solar system and near-Earth objects today. The modern planetarium sits in the same grounds, turning that long research history into shows and exhibits the whole family can enjoy.