Flying a drone in Ireland: the regulations guide

1 · The open category

European Regulations 2019/947 and 2019/945 govern drones in Ireland, and the authority is the IAA (Irish Aviation Authority). In the open category: the drone stays in direct sight (VLOS) or with the help of an observer, below 120 m (400 feet), with no dangerous goods and no dropped objects — see the European framework. The IAA refers to an image table for the distances; here are those of the European regulation:

• ▸A1 — classes C0 and C1: uninvolved people may be overflown, never gatherings of people.
• ▸A2 — no overflight; at least 30 m from uninvolved people, 5 m with a low-speed mode active.
• ▸A3 — at least 150 m from residential, commercial, industrial or recreational areas.

• ▸Drones with no class bought before 1 January 2024: they fly in the open category according to the IAA.
• ▸At night: yes — since 1 July 2022, the drone must show its position from all sides with a flashing green light.
• ▸Age: aviation law sets no minimum flying age, and the IAA advises following the age indicated by the manufacturer; but one must be over 16 to register as an operator. Under 16, a parent or guardian registers, trains and supervises the child at all times.

2 · Zones: the UAS Geographical Zones

The IAA publishes the UAS Geographical Zones (GeoJSON file, “for reference only, not for navigation”), updated on 7 October 2026; access authorisations go through the “zone authority”, generally AirNav Ireland. The national text (S.I. 266/2019, art. 7) prohibits flying in airspace that is prohibited or subject to restrictions notified by the IAA, except in accordance with their conditions or with its permission. A few examples from the file:

• ▸Airport control zones (Cork, Dublin, Shannon, Waterford, Donegal, Sligo, Connaught, Kerry…): three levels — green (height limited to 90 m), amber (30 m, 15 m near an obstacle), red (access to be requested from the zone authority, specific category).
• ▸Prisons, Phoenix Park, Aviva Stadium, military zones: access on request to the zone authority; for a military zone, at least three working days.

The rules apply everywhere in Irish airspace; privacy or trespass laws may add to them. No national rule on natural areas is indicated in the sources consulted.

⚠️ Glydar’s map does not display Ireland’s regulations: the IAA map prevails, to be checked before every flight — see the coverage, country by country.

3 · Registration, training and insurance

• ▸Operator registration on the IAA’s MySRS portal: mandatory for a drone over 250 g or fitted with a camera, unless it is a toy. It is valid for two years and costs €41 (IAA 2026 fee schedule). The operator number must be visible from the outside of the drone and loaded into direct remote identification. A resident of another EU State, already registered at home, does not register again.
• ▸Training: the online “UAS Proof of Online Training” (40 questions, 75%) is free; the A1/A3 certificate costs €51 and is valid for five years; the A2 goes through a training organisation (€128).
• ▸Insurance: the IAA writes that an operator must always insure their drone, except for recreational use under 20 kg — where it recommends it. No minimum amount is indicated.

4 · FPV and immersive flying

The IAA allows it: one may fly without keeping direct visual contact with the drone provided there is an observer beside the pilot who keeps direct visual contact. A drone race outside a club and without spectators falls under the open category, in subcategory A3.

5 · Before every flight

• ▸Check the IAA’s UAS Geographical Zones: airports, prisons, military sites, temporary zones.
• ▸Operator number on the drone; A1/A3 certificate if the drone exceeds 250 g.
• ▸At night: the flashing green light. An observer beside the pilot for FPV.

This guide is a plain-language summary — it replaces neither the official texts nor an up-to-date check. When in doubt: IAA, AirNav Ireland.

6 · Penalties: what the law says

Section 74 of the Irish Aviation Authority Act 1993 is a general text: it covers any aircraft and any breach of an “instrument” (order, regulation, authorisation) — drones come in through the order S.I. 24/2023. Here is what the text provides, with nothing added:

• ▸On summary conviction: a fine of at most €5,000 or imprisonment of at most 6 months, or both.
• ▸On indictment: a fine of at most €500,000 or imprisonment of at most 3 years, or both.
• ▸The IAA may bring summary proceedings before the District Court or refer the matter to the prosecutor (DPP); the gardaí may detain the drone (S.I. 24/2023, art. 13).

These are ceilings: the judge exercises discretion. They are those of the text on the date this guide was checked (October 2026) — the text of the law prevails, not this page.

7 · Your responsibility, and what Glydar does

Glydar informs; it exempts from nothing. This guide draws on official sources but is not an official source, does not guarantee that they are exhaustive or up to date, and does not amount to authorisation to fly.

The remote pilot remains solely responsible for the flight and for compliance, as the terms of use recall. Everything needed to check is within reach: the coverage, country by country, the official map and the texts cited below.