The 12 August 2026 solar eclipse was a particularly spectacular event for Ireland, although it was not total.
🇮🇪 What happened in Ireland?
Ireland experienced a very deep partial solar eclipse, with the Moon covering roughly 94–97% of the Sun, depending on location.
At maximum, only a thin crescent of the Sun remained, producing noticeably dimmer, almost twilight-like conditions.
🌑 Where was it total?
The path of totality crossed parts of:
Greenland → Iceland → northern Spain → Mediterranean
Those within the narrow path saw the Moon completely cover the Sun, revealing the solar corona and producing a brief period of darkness.
Ireland was just outside that path — close enough, though, to experience an exceptionally deep partial eclipse.
👀 And importantly…
Even when only a tiny fraction of the Sun remained visible, ordinary sunglasses were not safe. Proper eclipse glasses or an appropriate solar filter were required for direct viewing.
For Ireland, this was a genuinely unusual event. The next eclipse of comparable significance visible from Ireland is not expected until 2090. I’ll be 132.
Marion and I hosted her cousin, Fr Leo Shea from Tuesday 11th until Thursdsy. At the time of the eclipse we were enjoying a meal Al fresco with some local beers. Really, we only noticed the dimmed light to a certain extent. The beers were too nice and the conversations were better!
