Can You Fly a Drone in Dublin? Rules, Tips, and Guidelines

Ireland is one of the most picturesque countries in the world. The capital, Dublin, is no different. We have all seen photos from outside Temple Bar, right? Now imagine this beauty but from above. This leads to the question, “Can you fly a drone in Dublin”? We asked Josh from A Backpacker’s World to create a guide to drone use in Dublin.

So, Can You Fly a Drone in Dublin?

Put simply, yes, you are allowed to fly a drone in Dublin. It’s legal to fly a drone in Ireland (as per the Irish Aviation Authority) as long as you follow the rules, which we go into later. This is great news for drone owners, videographers, or anyone who wants to capture Dublin from the sky! Dublin is so pretty, the drone footage comes out so well. Take a look for yourself…

*_{Video from “ALL in 4K” on YouTube}*

Getting Your Drone Into the Republic of Ireland

Luckily, there are no regulations or restrictions around bringing a drone into the Republic of Ireland. Compared to other countries where you have to pre-register a drone before entering the country, it’s a very straightforward process. You shouldn’t have any problems bringing a drone into the ROI.

Still Looking For Your Perfect Drone?

For those needing to purchase a drone, here are a couple of great options:
→ Most Affordable: Oviliee Mini Drone
→ Best All-Around: Bwine Foldable 4K Drone

Shop All Best-Rated Drones

❗Please be aware of your airline’s policy for traveling with lithium batteries.

Some airlines have strict rules about how they should be packaged, or what bag to put them in. It’s recommended to read your airline’s specific rules and regulations before your flight so you can pack appropriately.

Additionally, as part of the European Union, Ireland implements the laws of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). You can find their regulations by clicking here.

Do You Need a License to Fly Your Drone in Dublin?

Unfortunately, a license is required for most drones. As per the IAA website, “all drone operators using any drone over 250 grams, or those with a camera or sensor” must be registered. You can apply for registration by clicking here.

This applies to drones used for recreational and commercial purposes alike. You do not need any extra credentials or licenses to fly a drone for commercial reasons, unlike most other countries.

Rules for Flying a Drone in Dublin

• Keep a direct line of sight with your drone at all times.

• Do not fly above 120 meters (just under 400 feet).

• Do not fly more than 300 meters away (horizontally) from where you are operating.

• Avoid large crowds and groups of people.

• Only fly in good weather conditions.

On top of these rules, the obvious and universal rule of not flying near airports, prisons, military bases, and other areas of sensitivity applies. This is a pretty standard rule and should be common sense as a drone operator.

In addition to learning the rules, if you wish to take part in drone training, the IAA offers training at a number of locations in Ireland, mainly in Dublin. You can find out more by clicking here.

The IAA also strongly recommends you have insurance for your drone, but it’s not a legal requirement.

In Ireland, you also cannot fly over any National Monument or historic sites without prior written permission. You can find out more information and apply for permission by clicking here.

National Monument sites include Dublin Castle, Phoenix Park, and Carrowmore Megalithic Cemetry. These sites would make for some amazing drone footage, so be sure to check out the permission applications if you are interested.

Outside of Dublin, many other areas of Ireland make for great drone footage too. There are plenty of gorgeous landscapes and natural attractions around Ireland that are absolutely stunning to film!

Renting a Car in Ireland?

My go-to car rental service in Ireland is Discover Cars. They compare prices across the leading car rental services to find you the lowest prices and best deals.

🚗 CLICK HERE TO SEARCH FOR YOUR RENTAL CAR

Top 5 Locations for Great Photo + Film Opportunities

If you are interested in flying a drone in Dublin, it’s pretty likely that you have an eye for a good photo too. So we have compiled a quick list of the best “standard” photography and drone spots in Dublin. Here are our top 5, in no particular order:

#1 – Temple Bar

One of the most popular spots in Dublin, it’s a no-brainer. The bar is popular for a reason, look how pretty it looks from the outside. It’s like something from a fairy tale.

#2 – Dublin Castle

If you choose not to apply for permission to fly your drone here, it’s still a great place to snap some pics! Dublin Castle has unique architecture and a gorgeous campus for filming and photography.

#3 – Along the River Liffey

Any of the bridges make for some great photo opportunities, as does the river itself. The most famous bridge is Ha’penny Bridge which is right outside Temple Bar, making for 2 great photography spots right beside each other.

#4 – St. Patrick’s Cathedral or Christ Church Cathedral

Dublin has plenty of stunning churches and cathedrals scattered across the city. Two of the most popular both to tour and to photograph are St. Patrick’s and Christ Church Cathedral.

#5 – Howth

Just a quick trip on the DART from Dublin city center is the adorable seaside fishing town called Howth. There is plenty of lovely nature to film along the many cliff-side hikes and great shots to take of the boats and charming buildings around town.

Can You Fly a Drone in Dublin: Wrap Up

There it is, a complete guide to answer the question “Can you fly a drone in Dublin?” Hopefully, you now know the rules and licenses required to capture this amazing city as the birds see it. It really gives a new perspective and creates magnificent content. So if you are visiting Ireland, make sure to pack your drone, and get out there and have fun flying your drone in Dublin!

*Note: This article is based purely on research and shouldn’t replace the official websites. Please make sure you are aware of all rules and regulations for your specific situation.

This post was written by Josh Band from A Backpacker’s World. Josh loves to write about South East Asia and other popular backpacking routes around the world. Who doesn’t love budget traveling, right?!

☘️ Ireland FAQs ☘️

✈️ Where Can You Find the BEST Flight Deals to Ireland?
1. Scott’s Cheap Flights – FREE flight deals alert, works best if you can be flexible
2. Skyscanner – FREE search engine, great for budget flights + deal

❗Is Travel Insurance Required in Ireland?
No, it’s not.
However, it’s always recommended to have travel insurance any time you travel in case of injury, accident, lost luggage, missed flight, etc. The best and most affordable travel/expat insurance is Safety Wing.
>>>CLICK HERE FOR INFO

☔️ When Is the Best Time to Visit Ireland?
Summer (June-August) – is the warmest and rains the least but you will have the most crowds.
Spring (March-May) or Fall (September-November) – are cooler and have more rain but you will beat the crowds and see some incredible wildflowers (spring)/greenery (fall).

🏠 Where Should You Stay in Ireland?
Hotels, hostels, vacation rentals, and house sitting are all available in Ireland for accommodation. My top recommendations for each are:
• Booking.com
• Hostelworld
• Vrbo (usually better options than Airbnb in Ireland)
• Trusted Housesitters (watch a home/pets in return for a FREE place to stay)

☘️ Where Can You Find Tours?
I found incredible tours in Ireland >>>HERE for private and guided group tours of both the most popular attractions and ones that fit your specific interests.

🚘 Should You Rent a Car in Ireland?
I always tell my friends and family to rent a car in Ireland so that they don’t miss out on the gorgeous scenery and wonderful things to do in between the big cities! However, if you plan to stay only in the cities, then you should be fine getting by with buses and walking.
>>> What to know about driving in Ireland
>>> The best car rental in Ireland

🍻 Make sure to try out the pubs! Even if you don’t drink, the atmosphere, live music, and friendly people are very uniquely Irish.