The Drone Weather Forecast zone map has 61 drone zones in Ireland, from DJI FlySafe. 33 of them close the airspace from the ground up. Below are the zone types, the largest zones, the rules at a glance and the official links to request permission when you need to fly inside a zone.
Zone types
| Zone | Count | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 🟥 Prohibited | 9 | No flying from the ground up without a special permission: the area closest to airport runways, prisons, military sites, capital-city no-fly areas. |
| 🟧 Authorization required | 24 | You may fly only with an authorization from the aviation authority or the airspace manager, for example around airports and in controlled airspace. |
| 🟨 Warning | 28 | Not closed, but fly with care and follow the local rules: heliports, small airfields, military training areas, stadiums, nature reserves. |
Largest restricted zones
| Zone | Strictest part |
|---|---|
| Ireland West | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Casement | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Farranfore | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Waterford | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Donegal | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Sligo | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Shannon | 🟧 Authorization required |
| Cork | 🟧 Authorization required |
| Dublin Intl | 🟧 Authorization required |
| Dublin Airport | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Shannon Airport | 🟥 Prohibited |
| Cork Airport | 🟥 Prohibited |
Drone rules in Ireland at a glance
- Aviation authority: Irish Aviation Authority (IAA)
- Maximum height: 120 m (400 ft) above the ground, unless an authorization allows more.
- Registration: Register as a drone operator on the IAA's MySRS platform if your drone is over 250 g or has a camera; drones over 250 g also need the online training certificate. Official page
- Official map: IAA UAS Geographical Zones map
- In the Open category the drone must stay within visual line of sight.
How to get authorization to fly in a restricted zone
Steps and links from official sources, checked in September 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official website (IAA) before you fly.
- Check the UAS Geographical Zones map: each zone shows its conditions and the zone authority to contact. Official page
- To fly in a restricted or prohibited zone, fill in the IAA UAS operations application form (UF101) and send it to that zone's authority. Official page
- Some zones only accept Specific-category operators; for flights outside the Open category, apply to the IAA for an Operational Authorisation. Official page
- Flying a DJI drone? With the authorization in hand, request an unlock on DJI FlySafe. DJI's unlock does not replace the authority's permission.
Check zones and weather before you fly
The Drone Weather Forecast app shows these zones on a map with their real shapes and height limits, next to the hourly wind, gusts, rain, KP index and satellites for your drone model.
Frequently asked questions
Where can't you fly a drone in Ireland?
Around airports, military bases and other restricted areas. The app's map has 33 zones in Ireland where you cannot fly from the ground up without an authorization; the official map is IAA UAS Geographical Zones map. Temporary restrictions can appear at any time, so check before every flight.
Do I need permission to fly a drone near an airport in Ireland?
Yes. Flying inside an airport zone or other restricted airspace needs an authorization. Responsible authority: Irish Aviation Authority. The official steps and links are on this page.
How high can you fly a drone in Ireland?
Up to 120 m (400 ft) above the ground under the general rules, unless an authorization allows more. Near airports the limit can be lower, or zero.
Where does this zone data come from?
From DJI FlySafe's GEO zones: no official zone dataset in Ireland can be used in the app yet. DJI's GEO zones are a safety layer built into DJI drones, not the official airspace: the binding zones and rules are the ones published by the aviation authority, Irish Aviation Authority (official map: IAA UAS Geographical Zones map).
Zone counts and names: DJI FlySafe, as shipped in the Drone Weather Forecast app on October 14, 2026. A safety guide, not the official airspace: the aviation authority publishes the binding zones and temporary restrictions.