We are striving to be as inclusive and accessible as possible. We want anyone who visits Armagh Observatory and Planetarium to have an out of this world time. Below are some helpful links to help plan your visit.
For a visual tour of our planetarium building; Visual Tour of Armagh Planetarium
For a sensory map of our planetarium building; AOP Sensory Map
For more details about our accessibility, check out the AccessAble Guide to Armagh Planetarium
If you have any suggestions or feedback as to how we could better accommodate any and all of our visitors, please contact us at reception@armagh.ac.uk.
Changing Places
In our Planetarium, on our upper level, we have a Changing Places facility. It includes a toilet with clearance space on each side for assistance, a changing bench, a hoist, an adjustable sink and shower facility. It can be accessed with a RADAR key. RADAR keys can be borrowed from reception on arrival.
Wheelchair Accessibility
The public areas of the Armagh Planetarium are fully wheelchair accessible. We have a lift to get to and from the upper level, as well as ramps located throughout the building. We also have a wheelchair that can be borrowed for the duration of your visit from reception.
To book a wheelchair space for a Dome show, please contact us.
If visiting the Armagh Observatory, wheelchairs can be accommodated with some exceptions due to the age and listed nature of the building. If you have any questions regarding this, please contact our Reception.
Sensory Room
We have a Sensory Room on the ground level of the Armagh Planetarium, filled with interactive stations and toys. We have an interactive area where the walls and floor respond to movement, as well as bubble tubes and space suits to dress up in. This space is perfect for very young children, and those with additional sensory needs.
Please note, on busy days, the Sensory Room can get quite crowded and loud. If a separate quiet space is required on these days, please let Reception know.
Accessible Sundays
We have recently introduced Accessible Sundays at Armagh Planetariun. These are days when the number of visitors in each Dome show is reduced, the sound levels in the building are reduced, and our sensory bags and equipment are made more readily available for visitors throughout the day. The date of the next Accessible Sunday can be found on our Book Now page.
Outside of these, the quietest times to visit the Planetarium are 2-5pm on a term-time week day, or 4-5pm on a weekend or school holiday day, and our staff at Reception will always be happy to help you with any accessibility requests that you may have to make your visit with us as comfortable as possible.
Championing Accessibility
We have recently been awarded the AutismNI Impact Award, and we are always looking for more ways that we can be as accessible as possible to all of our visitors. This award marks a significant milestone in our never-ending journey to make our planetarium a safe and comfortable space for everyone.
Thank you to our Bold Futures forum, funded by the Association of Science and Discovery Centres, for their help with creating information for our accessibility page
