Right to the Night is a project developed by artist Aisling O’Beirn that engages people and local authority in a series of activities building awareness and activism around light pollution and rights to the night sky in Belfast.
In 2023, Aisling’s project included researching existing city lighting strategies and undertaking an artistic audit through mapping, documenting, and gathering evidence around North Belfast together with communities of interest and place and expert contributors. This work was commissioned through a Belfast City Council funded Community Takeover and included screenings, night time walks, and meetings about adjusting the Belfast Castle current lighting levels in North Belfast.
In 2024, together with Household, local residents, experts and in collaboration with Belfast City Council, Aisling has set up an Advocacy group, will hold a series of workshops, and stage a neighbourhood intervention that will address the lighting of – and introduce objects made by Aisling and the participants in her project to – a North Belfast park.
Right to the Night invites citizens from across the city to think about the night sky, the impacts of light pollution and the importance of darkness in a new way through a series of short term events that activate the Waterworks Park at night time.
The project aims to reduce light pollution in the city at a local level through liaising with property owners/managers to temporarily temper, reduce or remove light emitting objects (lights, signage) from their buildings. Establishing a Dark Skies Advocacy group that includes BCC representatives and setting up a local ‘Dark Sky chapter’ allows the research that is generated through activities in the project to adhere to best practice and filter into council and reach other relevant decision makers.
Partnering with other individuals such as artists, creatives, experts, scientists, astronomers, etc. and organisations like Wild Belfast, educational institutions, art organisations and festivals such as the Belfast Science Festival, helps us to deliver our activities and maximise the visibility of the project.
Right to the Night - Aisling O’Beirn
Documentation of a charcoal on paper drawing by Aisling O'Beirn. This image was created through a mapping exercise carried out by the artist over a series of months attempting to map her local night sky and the stars that should be visible, but are obscured by light pollution.
Documentation of a drawing that is part of a series of drawings and an animation by the artist illustrating and making visible words associated with light pollution.
Bat survey, September 2023: a public survey of the bat population on Cave Hill, North Belfast, with Connor McKinney of Wild Belfast, an organisation campaigning for local protection and enhancement of biodiversity throughout Belfast. The group located bats in Cavehill Park using bat detection equipment and red light torches in order to not disturb any nocturnal species.
Bat survey, September 2013: Belfast Castle illuminated at night. Following on from the visit to Belfast Castle during the bat survey Aisling conducted together with Connor McKinney from Wild Belfast and local participants, a series of private meetings were held by Aisling, Household and Belfast City Council with the management and staff at Belfast Castle. These meetings resulted in the Castle reducing the levels of light surrounding the castle and grounds in order to protect local nocturnal wildlife.
Launch and screening at the Duncairn, September 2023: Aisling O'Beirn and Household launch Right to the Night at a screening event at the Duncairn Art Centre in North Belfast. Aisling screened past works and a discussion on next steps and ways to take action was held.
Bat survey, September 2023: Aisling O'Beirn and Connor McKinney from Wild Belfast photographed under a street light at the entrance of Cavehill Park. Right to the Night involves the regular mapping and documentation of light pollution in North Belfast and other areas of the city.