Armagh's planetarium is a full-dome space cinema where the film curves right around your head — plus hands-on exhibits and an outdoor park where you walk the planets, all beside the historic Armagh Observatory. One of Northern Ireland's best rainy-day-proof family days.
The dome show is the star turn — recline back and the whole ceiling comes alive with stars, galaxies and planets wrapping around you. Shows run roughly 25–35 minutes, with a dedicated pre-school show for little ones too.
Hands-on space exhibits — press-and-play displays on gravity, light and the planets, a meteorite gallery with real space rock, and the story of the observatory next door.
Walk the solar system outside — the grounds hold the Astropark, a landscaped stretch said to be laid out as a scale model of the solar system, with sundials, a stone calendar and a mechanical model of the planets to walk between.
Great for rain — the shows and exhibits are all indoors, so it works whatever the sky's doing; save the Astropark walk for a dry spell.
How long & how much — allow 2–3 hours. Combined dome show + exhibition is around £10 adult, £7 child, with exhibition-only cheaper and under-3s free (confirm on the day).
Café, gift shop & free parking — refreshments and space-themed souvenirs on site, and free parking just up from the centre of Armagh.
Book a dome-show slot ahead. Shows run to fixed times that change with the season and the site says pre-booking is essential — pick your show and reserve before you travel.
Closed on Mondays. Open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 10am–5pm (last entry 4:30pm) — don't set out on an ordinary Monday.
Plan your visit
Book your dome show — and check the show times
The dome films are the heart of the day and they run to a timetable that changes with the season — hourly at weekends and on Bank Holiday Mondays, and fewer during Northern Ireland school term time. The site itself says pre-booking is essential, so pick your show and reserve your slot before you travel rather than chancing it at the door. It's open Tuesday to Sunday plus Bank Holiday Mondays, 10am–5pm, last entry 4:30pm — closed on Mondays, so don't set out on one.
Café & gift shopAccessible toiletsLift & wheelchair accessFree parkingOutdoor Astropark
Before you travel:
Dome shows are timed and pre-booking is essential — check the current timetable at armagh.space or call ahead, and remember it's closed on Mondays. Show times and prices can change, so confirm on the day.
Before you set off
What to bring
🎟️Your bookingReserve your dome show slot ahead of time — pre-booking is essential, and it saves any disappointment at the door.
🧥A coat for the AstroparkThe planet walk is outdoors, so a layer means you can enjoy it whatever the sky's doing — the grounds are lovely in the fresh air.
👟Comfy shoesThere are exhibition floors to wander and a landscaped park to stroll, so easy walking shoes win the day.
📸A cameraThe dome, the star-filled shows and the models of the solar system all make for great photos.
Good to know
Everything before you go
Cost
Dome show + exhibition: adult £10, child under 16 £7, concession (student/senior) £8.50, pre-school show £5, family (2 adults + 2–3 children) £32, under-3s free. Exhibition only: adult £6, child £5, family £20, under-3s free. Prices can change — confirm on the day.
Opening days & hours
Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 10am–5pm, last entry 4:30pm. Closed on Mondays. Hours can differ on special days or events.
Dome shows
The full-dome films run to a timetable — hourly at weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays, reduced during NI school term time. Shows run around 25–35 minutes. Pre-booking is essential; check the current times before you travel.
What you'll see
The Digital Theatre dome shows, the hands-on space exhibition, and the outdoor Astropark — roughly 14 acres laid out as a scale model of the solar system, with sundials, a stone calendar and a mechanical model of the planets (the Human Orrery).
Food
There's a café and gift shop on site for refreshments and space-themed souvenirs.
Toilets
Toilets throughout, with accessible facilities and a Changing Places room on the upper level.
Parking
Free on-site parking.
Accessibility
The public areas are fully wheelchair accessible, with a lift to the upper level. The Astropark is outdoors and landscaped; confirm any specific access needs on the day.
How long
Allow 2–3 hours to take in a dome show, the exhibition and a walk around the Astropark.
Questions
Before you go
Do I need to book?
Yes — the site says pre-booking is essential, and the dome shows run to set times. Pick your show and reserve your slot at armagh.space before you travel so you're guaranteed a seat.
What time are the dome shows?
They run to a timetable that changes with the season — hourly at weekends and Bank Holiday Mondays, and fewer during Northern Ireland school term time. Check the current show times before you set off, and confirm on the day.
Is it open on Mondays?
No — it's open Tuesday to Sunday and Bank Holiday Mondays, 10am–5pm, with last entry at 4:30pm. It's closed on ordinary Mondays, so don't set out on one.
Do I pay separately for the exhibition and the dome show?
You can do either. A combined dome show + exhibition ticket is adult £10, child £7; or you can pay for exhibition entry only at adult £6, child £5. Under-3s are free either way.
Is it good for younger children?
Yes — the dome shows are a real thrill for kids, and there's a dedicated pre-school show. The hands-on exhibits and the walk-the-planets Astropark keep all ages busy.
Is there parking and a café?
Free parking on site, and a café and gift shop for refreshments and space-themed souvenirs.
Getting there
College Hill, Armagh, County Armagh, BT61 9DB — just up from the centre of Armagh city, with free parking on site.
Said to be one of the world's oldest working observatories
The Observatory at Armagh was founded in 1790 and is said to be one of the oldest observatories still working anywhere in the world — a place where astronomers have been watching the sky for well over two centuries. In time the site grew into the Observatory and Planetarium you can visit today, pairing that long history of real science with a public home for the wonder of space.
The planetarium adds the modern magic: a full-dome Digital Theatre, hands-on exhibitions, and the Astropark spread across the grounds, where the whole solar system is shrunk to a walkable scale. It's a rare thing — a place that has genuinely helped map the heavens, opening its gates so families can go and feel that same pull of the stars for themselves.