August 12, 1999: Spectators watching the solar eclipse from the Phoenix Park in Dublin.RollingNews.ie

The Dingle Peninsula has been named the best place in Ireland to witness next month’s spectacular partial solar eclipse, with stargazers promised a dramatic sunset display.

Ireland will experience its first solar eclipse since 1999 on August 12, when the Moon will pass between the Earth and the Sun, blocking most – but not all – of the Sun’s light.

Speaking on Newstalk Breakfast, space commentator Leo Enright said those in the southwest will enjoy the best views of the rare event.

"Down in Cork, it’s going to be over 96% of the sun covered by the moon,’ he explained.

"Up in Dublin, it will be about 94%, Belfast and Derry, 93%."

Although it won’t be a total eclipse, Enright said the timing of the event will make it particularly memorable.

"It’s not going to go totally dark, but it will be very dramatic for one special reason," he said.

"It happens late in the evening on August 12. That means the sun will be low down in the sky."

For those hoping to catch the best possible view, Enright said location will be key.

"If you’re living on the East Coast, you need to get somewhere high up so you can look at the setting sun," he said.

"The ideal place, I believe, to watch this eclipse will be the Dingle Peninsula because you’ll be looking straight out at the Atlantic Ocean with the sun setting.

"Photographers will have a field day."

Despite the excitement, Enright urged people not to look directly at the Sun without proper protection.

While eclipse glasses are the safest option, he suggested a simple homemade projector as an alternative.

"Actually, my favourite way of looking at an eclipse is a box of cornflakes," he said.

"If you take a box of cornflakes and punch a small, pin-sized hole in one side, you can project the image of the sun onto any surface behind you so everybody in the family gets to look at it."

The partial solar eclipse will be visible across Ireland on the evening of August 12, with weather conditions ultimately determining how much of the spectacle can be seen.

*This article was originally published on Extra.ie.