Armagh Planetarium is the brainchild of Dr Eric Lindsay, Director of Armagh Observatory. He first proposed the idea in 1943 and worked towards its realisation for over two decades. The Planetarium was built in the late 1960s and opened on 1st May 1968. The building was designed by the Lurgan-born architect G. Phillip Bell, and the Planetarium’s first Director was Sir Patrick Moore. Here is the story of how it came to be.
A man with a vision
The most important person in the history of Armagh Planetarium is Dr Eric Lindsay. Without his efforts there would be no planetarium here today. Lindsay, born near Portadown, was Director of Armagh Observatory from 1937 to 1974. He had a distinguished career as a full-time astronomer in Ireland, the US, and South Africa.
Dr Lindsay was impressed by the general public’s interest in astronomy, as indicated by the number of requests from private individuals for tours of the Observatory. He believed that a planetarium to complement Armagh Observatory would cater to this need. His vision was to make it a reality.
Image: Dr Eric Lindsay
Building the dream
Dr Lindsay first proposed building the Planetarium in 1943 and began fund raising for the project. He continued this throughout the 1950’s in addition to his duties as Observatory Director.
In November 1964 he made a breakthrough. Dr Lindsay persuaded the government and local councils to pay for the construction of a planetarium as a centre for education and tourism. The go-ahead for the project was announced in March 1965.
Image: The foundations of Armagh Planetarium in July 1966
A stately astrodome
The chief architect for the project, Mr. Bell of Portadown, designed a building inspired by the Queen Elizabeth Planetarium in Edmonton, Canada. The Armagh Planetarium building was 50 feet across, with the main entrance built from a pink variety of limestone called Armagh Marble. The building’s original gleaming white fibreglass dome was soon a local landmark.
Image: The first floor completed in autumn 1966
The dream takes form
By the time the building was complete £70 000 had been spent on the project. Included in this was £12 000 for Armagh Planetarium’s first projector, a Goto Mars model made in Japan. This instrument represented the cutting edge at the time, and was the start of our tradition of embracing the most advanced technology to give our visitors the best possible experience. Sir Patrick Moore, Planetarium’s first Director, travelled to Japan to procure the projector.
Image: The dome taking shape in 1967
A dream fulfilled
Armagh Planetarium was formally opened by Northern Ireland Prime Minister Terence O’Neill on 1st May 1968.
Among the VIPs attending the ceremony was a delighted Dr Lindsay. After twenty-five years his dream had reached fruition. Armagh Planetarium was an immediate success with the public. Soon it was hosting 50 000 visitors a year and winning awards as a visitor attraction.
Image: The opening of the Planetarium made the front page news on 2nd May 1968!
Armagh Planetarium
With a prominent position along College Hill road and striking architecture, Armagh Planetarium soon became a local landmark. A number of additions and expansions to the building over the decades enriched our offerings to the public, but the dome remains as prominent as ever, and the shape of the original building is still clear today.
To learn more about the advancements and innovations we’ve made inside the planetarium dome through our history, click here. To learn more about the evolution of our exhibitions, click here.
