Though the aurora borealis phenomenon is a popular far-north attraction, it can still be viewed in places like Dublin, Ireland. With an eleven year cycle, aurora borealis is visible in Dublin during the last year-and-a-half unless, of course, the notorious clouds in the area block the view.

The best views of the aurora borealis - or Northern Lights - are in polar regions but they can also be seen much further south.

In the 1983 film Local Hero, oil boss Felix Happer, played by Burt Lancaster, sent one of his men, Mac, to buy a Scottish village in order to build a refinery, but has a change of heart inspired by the solar light shows.

If recent experience is anything to go by he could have just as easily sent Mac to Ireland.

The aurora has been turning heads along the north coast of the island, but has also been visible to stargazers in the south.

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