Since 1986, Tullamore Astronomical Society (now the Midlands Astronomy Club) has been helping promote the interests of Astronomy and allied subjects. In 1986, Halley’s Comet was visible in the skies after a 76 year spell in the outer reaches of the Solar System. Due to the interest in this, TAS was founded by a group of friends and enthusiasts, with an interest in promoting Astronomy and allied subjects. Soon after in 1987, they began holding public meetings once a month in Tullamore, with a growing membership each year that passed. It has been in continuous existence ever since, and is one of the oldest amateur clubs in Ireland.

By 1989, some members pooled together resources and built a 6 inch reflecting telescope. You might have seen it as the small blue tube on a wooden tripod. It didn’t look like much, but it was hand-built, and offered members their first glimpses at Saturn, the Orion Nebula, the Andromeda Galaxy, and many other objects up close and in detail. TAS holds dedicated Observing Sessions at its observing site in Clonminch, about 2 miles from Tullamore town centre. Their Site offers clear southern skies away from the light pollution of the town. It can accommodate about 12 to 15 cars for parking, and has a segregated observing area.

For more information, please visit http://www.tullamoreastronomy.com