The Armagh Observatory marked the 2025 winter solstice at 3:03 pm GMT, the shortest day in the Northern Hemisphere, highlighting astronomy and heritage.

The Armagh Observatory in Northern Ireland observed the winter solstice on December 21, 2025, at 3:03 pm GMT, marking the shortest day and longest night in the Northern Hemisphere due to Earth’s 23.5-degree axial tilt. The event, celebrated with gatherings at the observatory and nearby ancient sites, symbolizes the gradual return of daylight and highlights Ireland’s historical contributions to astronomy. The observatory, one of Ireland’s oldest institutions with over 200 years of continuous sky observation, is part of a UNESCO World Heritage bid, supported by historic instruments like three Grubb telescopes. Professor Michael Burton emphasized the solstice as both a scientific milestone and a timeless cultural tradition connecting humanity’s enduring curiosity about the cosmos.