đ In this blog post weâll share all law links and known rules about recreational and commercial drone use in Ireland (Dublin). Give a đ at the end of this post if you enjoyed it & feel free to ask any questions or share your experience in Ireland Drone Discussion Group. Keep in mind that the content below is updated to the best of our ability & does not replace official sources & your own research.
đĄ This article is also available in French.
Recreational vs Commercial drone use in Ireland
Ireland doesn't seem to differentiate commercial & recreational drone uses. However both are subject to restrictions and code of conduct. Additionally, depending on your drone's weight and where you want to fly your drone, different rules will apply.
â In Ireland, drone regulation falls under The Irish Aviation Authority (IAA), & they can be contacted anytime via:
Email: fod@iaa.ie
Phone: (+353) 1 671 8655
Can I bring my drone to Ireland?
â Currently, there aren't to be any restrictions on bringing drones within Ireland (Dublin) as long as your import is considered as legitimate (generally one drone per person).
đ¨ Be aware of the airline you purchase to travel as some main ones will only accept your drone on-board if its batteries are detached & placed in a firecase during travel time. Most airlines will have a battery voltage limit based on the recommendation of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). You can find more info about a specific airline here.
đĄ Smart! Get your drone batteries' firecase today and make sure you're complying with aviation safety rules.
Where can I fly my drone in Ireland?
Irish authorities built a cool interactive map which is accessible once registered. You will find a drone flight map showing flight restricted areas. The map is organised in a 4 colour scheme to help drone owners to fly responsibly and safely:
Red = danger & prohibited zones
Blue= ATS (Air Traffic Service) Airspace
Yellow = Building restricted zone
Black = Hang Gliding Zones
The map also showcases Ireland's ballooning, aircraft modelling, parachuting & temporary restricted airspace for 100% accuracy and limit the accident chances to a minimum.
Drone Fly Map Ireland
đ¨ You should not fly above urban areas, public facilities such as a prison & will need a permission to fly above any national monument. đ¨ North Ireland falls under the rules of United Kingdom which are really different, see here
đ˛ National / Marine parks & reserves might be on a case by case permission & you might need to check directly with the local park or reserve authorities. đł
đĄ Smart! Pack some spare drone batteries, you never know how close is the next power plug overseas. Also make sure you have a travel adaptor for Ireland.
Recreational & Commercial Drone use in Ireland
â Good things first, you will not need a license to fly your drone in Ireland as long as you do not fly in a restricted zone. However, if you want to fly higher than 15 m or a drone heavier than 1 kg, you will need to register it online via a login portal.
Within the permitted zones, you will need to follow a few rules:
fly your drone at a maximum altitude of 120 m above the ground or 15 m in a controlled airspace (or if you haven't registered it).
fly a drone that weights less than 25 kg (If heavier than 1 kg, you must register it).
fly your drone always in sight (300 m max away from you).
fly away from people (30 m) or large crowds & respect individuals' privacy.
fly at least 5 km away from airports & give priority to all other categories of aircraft. If you see a plane or helicopter during your flight, land immediately your drone.
How to register my drone in Ireland?
â The registration will depend on your drone weight, Ireland distinguishes 3 weight categories when it comes to drone registration:
from 1 to 25 kg *see below
from 25 to 150 kg: must be registered with the IAA directly
above 150 kg: these are considered as large UAV (unmanned aircraft vehicle & should be registered online for a fee. đ Allow 20 working days for completion.
*For drones weighting between 1 & 25 kg, the registration process requires 2 steps;
Create a user account via this link & enter your personal or professional details (its the same portal for companies and individuals). đ It takes 2 mins
Login, click on 'Airspace' -> 'Register Drone' & voila!
â If you need help with your registration, you can always contact them at aisops@iaa.ie
What do I risk for flying a drone illegally in Ireland?
đ¨ The amount & scope of the fine will depend on the nature & severity of your infraction. The judges will also evaluate if you intentionally committed the infraction and/or if you had any commercial purposes to do such.
Once you got everything in order, you can start flying above Ireland's awesome landscapes and create videos like this one:
â Please leave a comment when you receive news and/or gain experience with your drone in Ireland! Have fun and safe flight! #ireland #irish #regulation #law #laws #legislation
đĄ You're a local, have a question or want to share a travel experience? Head to our Ireland Drone Discussion Group
Disclaimer: Although great care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information researched, we take no responsibility for any loss, harm or damage caused as a direct or indirect consequence of relying on this information. It is your responsibility to seek advice from qualified local & relevant authorities for needed information about local drone regulations.
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