Die Hard Irish Astronomers

I'm one of Ireland's amateur astronomers, and part of an amazing community of die-hard amateur astronomers that brave the elements and more to capture and showcase the amazing objects in the universe.

I'm also a filmmaker, by profession a Producer, which is a project manager that goes out and gets the finance and team/resources needed to make a film and bring it to life and get it distributed and seen by audiences. It's a lot of work, but very rewarding when it all goes right.

Right now I'm making a short film to pique interest in a Full Feature Length Documentary about Irish Astronomy and why it is so special.

Making a Short Film first is the most sensible and practicle way to get a Full Feature on the go. Over the next 30 days I am aiming to raise the €2.5k Euro needed to make the short film. So by 25th September the goal is to close this campaign and start making the Short FIlm, so every last cent goes a long way to seeing the project realised.

So, here is an invitation to donate to a very special project that will produce a wonderful 10 minute short film that gives enough meat on the bone to entice you to want more from a Full Feature Length Documentary Film on the subject.

The Very Large Telescope in Chilé, the Hubble space telescope, the Webb space telelscope, Euclid Space Telescope - These are what we think of when we think of Space and Photos taken of objects in Space.

Ireland is the last place you'd imagine that astronomy is possible let alone taking photos of the night sky that are incredibly detailed and mindblowing!

Well, there is a vibrant bunch of amateur astronomers in Ireland that defy the norm and break the rules in this regard, and I'm one of them!

It's long been on my list of films to make, and now I'm raising the initial funds I need to cover basic insurance and research costs to get the fundamentals in place to move forward and make the film in full.

Everyone who donates gets to see the short film, which at this stage doesn't have a title, the full documentary does however have a title.

€5 donation = Stream short film

€10 donation = Stream Short and get access to a new Irish Astro Channel on Vimeo/YouTube + get early access to what the Short Film will contain

€25 donation = Stream + Channel + Supportor’s Credit

€50 donation = Stream + Channel + Supportor’s Credit**

€100 donation = All Above + Executive Supportor’s Credit***

€250+ donation = Associate Producer Credit

**You also get to throw 1 suggestion for the title into the hat

***You get to throw 3 suggestions for the title of the Short Film into the hat -the final title will be announced once we begin shooting in October.

A Breakdown of the Funds Utilisation is as follows:

20% For Research Fees and Licenses

30% for Insurance

20% Securing Rights

30% Overheads & Travel Costs to interview significant figures in Irish Astronomy and other smaller costs such as paying for licensed content and animations.

Do you know who Agnes Clerke was? Did you know she is like the Mother of Astrophysics? If it wasn't for this woman from Skibereen in Co. Cork, the bog arse end of nowhere on this tiny island, sure, the world of String Theory and more wouldn't exíst. She also has a Moon Crater named after her, eat your heart out Prof. Brian Cox.... Go on Agnes, ya good thing ya!!

Find out about Agnes and more like her, in my Short Film by donating here...

Remember, Deadline to raise the €2,500 for the Short Film is 25th September, so please do donate and help make this a reality, and share the project far and wide!