Killarney, Co Kerry, is aiming to become the first "dark sky compliant town" in Ireland.
The plan to cut down on "trashy" light, to eliminate glare and to outlaw "light trespass" is set out in the new Killarney urban master plan draft strategy, which is currently before the public.
The dark skies policy would ensure the town would not add to environmental pollution and reduce disturbance to the local wildlife. According to reports, bright lights at night may disturbane plankton production in water and affect the habits of bats, birds and moths. Many towns and cities suffer from "skyglow", the master plan outlines.
"This phenomenon obliterates the night sky from sight, removing one of the most spectacular aspects of our phenomenological world, the night sky, stars and other celestial bodies." The dark sky policy would improve light at ground level while cutting down on wasted light, which goes straight up into the sky.
Under the policy, uplighters would be prohibited, internally- illumined signs would also be banned and wall-mounted lights shielded to allow light downwards or to the back of the unit. All non-essential lighting would be turned off after business hours, leaving only necessary lighting for site security.
Certain rules-of-thumb are set out such as "if you can see a bright bulb from a distance, it's a bad light", and "with good light, you see lit ground instead of the dazzling bulb."
Glare which beams directly into the eye serves no purpose and hampers the vision of pedestrians, cyclists and drivers, the plan outlines.
As well as energy waste, leading to high electricity costs, the phenomenon of "light trespass" is raised: "Poor outdoor lighting shines onto neighbours' properties and into bedroom windows, reducing privacy, hindering sleep, and giving the area an unattractive, trashy look."
Several European regions and US states have adopted anti-light pollution measures and a campaign for darker skies is under way in the Czech Republic.