Bardsey Island

Ynys Enlli, Bardsey Island, is now an officially designated IDA Dark Sky Sanctuary, protecting its residents' view of the night sky.

With it, Wales is fast becoming one of the leading nations in protecting dark skies as a precious resource that benefits people and wildlife." "It’s the culmination of several years hard work involving our own team as well as our partners across the region and beyond. There’s no doubt that achieving this prestigious status for Ynys Enlli will raise the profile of the island as a unique place in Wales and amongst the best in the world to appreciate the night sky. The island has officially been recognised as a protected Dark Sky Sanctuary, meaning its unspoiled view of the night sky is protected for current and future generations. This new Dark Sky Sanctuary designation is the culmination of a 4-year campaign to introduce measures that have enabled the IDA to officially certify it as such. An island off the north coast of Wales has become the first International Dark Sky Sanctuary in Europe, after it was awarded the status by the

A TINY UK island, where legend says Merlin the magician is buried, has become Europe's first stargazing 'sanctuary'.Only 11 residents live on the isla.

[northern lights](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/science/4765259/where-can-i-watch-aurora-borealis-uk/) in the UK. [of the island](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/9175175/bardsey-island-north-wales-wardens-quit-one-day/) and its new status. [ stargazing adventure.](https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/21433191/kids-stargazing-adventure-sun-savers/) [Gwynedd](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4191084/welsh-cottage-trefor-price-private-beach/) mainland. [welcoming visitors](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/2488061/uk-most-beautiful-landscapes-revealed-stunning-photos-devon-scotland/) here over the coming months and years and sharing with them our unique story. [dark skies](https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/11855986/lockdown-britain-stargazing-spots-night-skies/) as a precious resource that benefits people and wildlife." [Dark-Sky ](https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/8745277/best-places-in-the-world-to-stargaze/)Association (IDSA) back in 2011. [Snowdonia](https://www.thesun.co.uk/travel/6779914/snowdonia-wales-rivercatcher-cabin/) in the list of stargazing locations, which is one of 18 places to have the lesser classification of an International Dark Sky Reserve (IDSR). [from Dublin](https://www.thesun.co.uk/where/dublin/). [Wales](https://www.thesun.co.uk/where/wales/) and is said to be last resting place of Merlin the magician. [in Europe](https://www.thesun.co.uk/where/europe/) to be made an International Dark Skies Sanctuary (IDSS) following a 13-year campaign to be named an official mecca for stargazers. [on the island](https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/uknews/16580960/creepy-welsh-island-bodies-buried-bones-stuck-out/) that has no cars, wi-fi or electricity grid, making it the perfect place to watch the skies.

The closest major light pollution to the island comes from Dublin, which is over 70 miles across the Irish Sea.

In 2019, Mari Huws became one of the wardens of Ynys Enlli and is responsible for protecting the nature reserve, working farm and bird observatory on the island. We hope it will also go a long way in securing the long-term sustainability of the island." The Elan Valley in mid Wales also has International Dark Sky Park status - meaning that its entire 45,000 acres are protected against light pollution, making it a sanctuary for wildlife and nature (and stargazers). International Dark Sky Sanctuaries are typically situated in very remote locations that have very few nearby threats to the quality of their dark night skies. This means that Ynys Enlli is the first site in Europe to achieve such status. A remote Welsh island has been announced as the first dark sky sanctuary in Europe.

Bardsey Island has today received International Dark Sky Sanctuary certification by the International Dark Skies Association (IDA).

She said: “Living here I am always in awe of the island’s beauty – and the night sky is very much a part of that. "We knew we lived in a special place, this new status confirms this, with IDSS putting Enlli firmly on the global stage. There is also a Bird and Field Observatory, as well as ten cottages for visitors who come to escape modern life during the holiday season. ”Ynys Enlli is located two miles off the tip of the Llŷn Peninsula, off the coast of north Wales. Sian Stacey, chair of the Bardsey Island Trust said: “We are delighted to announce the news of Ynys Enlli’s new status as International Dark Sky Sanctuary (IDSS) today. With it, Wales is fast becoming one of the leading nations in protecting dark skies as a precious resource that benefits people and wildlife.

Ynys Enlli (Bardsey Island), which sits off the coast of the Llŷn Peninsula in north Wales. Would you like the opportunity to look at one of the best night ...

As light pollution continues to increase around the world, the stars above Ynys Enlli remain much as our ancestors would have seen them. A Welsh island has been ...

The island's recognition as a Dark Sky Sanctuary, which took four years of assessment, makes Ynys Enlli the first place in Europe to receive such recognition. That honour belongs to the British Overseas Territory of the Instead, the closest source of light pollution is said to be from Dublin, more than 110 kilometres away. There are five different categories, ranging from urban areas that aim to reduce light lost into the sky, to some of the darkest places on [Pitcairn Islands](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2019/april/an-expedition-to-the-uninhabited-island-harbouring-38-million-pi.html), located in the south Pacific, which was [recognised in 2019](https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/sanctuaries/pitcairn-islands/). We hope it will also go a long way in securing the long-term 'It is a huge achievement, and I would like to thank all who have been involved,' Sian says. [Urban Night Sky Places](https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/unsp/), which are large open spaces such as parks that are designed to minimise the amount of light pollution. [sustainability](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/sustainability.html) of the island.' [Dark Sky Communities](https://www.darksky.org/our-work/conservation/idsp/communities/), which are towns, cities and other areas that take steps to only use lighting that limits light pollution, as well as educate its residents about the importance of night skies. [Welsh](https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/news/2021/december/dinosaur-tracks-on-welsh-beach-evidence-sauropod-gathering.html) island has been recognised as having some of the darkest skies in the world. [International Dark Sky Association](https://www.darksky.org/) (IDSA), making it just one of 17 sites around the world to have this status.

Ynys Enlli, located 3 kilometres off the coast of Wales and also known as Bardsey Island, is now officially one of the best places in the world to see the ...

“We hope it will also go a long way in securing the long-term sustainability of the island.” Its unique geography is part of the reason for the dark skies. Today, only a handful of people live on the island all year, while visitors arrive for day trips and holidays during the summer months.