Sun and moon are the stars as eclipse fever takes hold

Eclipse fever will take hold of the State in more ways than one next week - that's if Astronomy Ireland has its way.

The sky-gazing association has called on "everyone in Ireland" to take next Wednesday off work to view the last sun eclipse of the millennium.

However, the Dublin Chamber of Commerce has poured cold water on the move, saying that if workers were to "go sick" for the 2 1/2-hour sky show, it would cost the city an estimated £22.5 million in lost production.

The chamber's economic director, Mr Declan Martin, said "we would ask employers to be as flexible as possible without interrupting their businesses".

Meanwhile, the interest continues to grow here despite the fact that a total eclipse - complete coverage of the sun by the moon - will not be visible from Ireland.

Sky-gazers on the south coast will have the best view, with up to 98 per cent coverage although even this will not cause a blackout or darkening of the sky, according to experts.

Among the events planned is a mid-morning, open-air concert at the Waterville Lake Hotel, Co Kerry, featuring legendary rockers Dire Straits, Shane McGowan and Donovan.

A series of eclipse parties will be held by Astronomy Ireland, as well as a public lecture on the subject at Dublin City University on Monday.

Mr David Moore, editor of Astronomy Ireland's magazine, Astronomy and Space, said he was surprised by the attention surrounding the eclipse given that Ireland has experienced two partial eclipses in the past five years, involving up to 50 per cent coverage of the sun by the moon.

"The last eclipse in 1996 passed almost unnoticed but on this occasion our phones have been ringing non-stop with inquiries."

He said the eclipse would not cause any noticeable darkening of the sky unless it was a very cloudy day and the light was already faint at 11.11 a.m., when the covering of the sun was at its limit.

He noted that the path of a total eclipse would not cross the south coast of Ireland until September 23rd, 2090, and Dublin until May 5th, 2600.

Among Astronomy Ireland's viewing venues are the Papal Cross in Phoenix Park; Mallow racecourse, Co Cork;, and Westside Shopping Centre, Galway. On sale are eclipse "shades" which block out infra-red and ultraviolet light while letting through only 0.001 per cent of visible light.

Such sunglasses have been at the centre of a controversy in Britain after the government advised against their use. Shell became the latest retailer to withdraw them from sale this week.

However, Mr Moore said the glasses had been shown scientifically to be safe, although "there is an element of risk to everything".

The Association of Optometrists in Ireland has advised people against using any sort of coloured or tinted lens to look directly at the sun.

Ironically, Wednesday's event may be spoiled by heavy cloud, which long-range weather forecasters have predicted for much of Europe.

The British Meteorological Office said there was a 50 per cent chance of cloud obscuring the view of the total eclipse which, unlike the partial eclipse, will last only two minutes.

Met Eireann said it was too early to give a reliable prediction of Wednesday's weather, although a spokesman said "the outlook is not good".

Tickets for the music festival, the proceeds of which go towards developing the Cill Rialaig artists' and writers' retreat, are available for £22.50 from HMV or Ticketmaster at (01) 456 9569.

The Astronomy Ireland public lecture takes place in the Henry Grattan Building in Dublin City University at 8 p.m. on Monday. Admission is £4 and tickets can be booked on (01) 459 8883.