Fly Smart, Fly Safe This St Patrick’s Day
Communities across Ireland are preparing to celebrate St Patrick’s Day with parades, concerts, and other festivities, and the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) is reminding drone users to follow safety regulations and exercise airspace awareness over the coming days.
To ensure safe and responsible drone use, the IAA is calling on all operators to follow four essential rules:
• Label and upload your Operator ID
• Check airspace restrictions on the IAA website (iaa.ie/drones)
• Keep your drone in sight and be aware of your surroundings at all times
• Stay below 120 metres and keep clear of people, buildings, and crowded events
Before taking off, all operators should check the zone before they drone, as St Patrick’s Day parades and festivities over the coming days may introduce temporary restricted zones where flying is not permitted without explicit permission. Operators must also consult the UAS Geographical Zones map at iaa.ie/drones/uas-geographic-zones before every flight, even if an area appears unchanged.
Unauthorised drone operations can endanger emergency response units, aircraft and the general public. The IAA urges all drone users to follow the rules and help ensure a safe and enjoyable St Patrick’s Day for everyone.
Enda Walsh, UAS Manager at the IAA says “St Patrick’s Day is one of the biggest public events of the year, and with that comes the need for heightened vigilance in our skies. We’re asking all drone users to check the zone before they drone, follow the national drone rules, and help us ensure the festivities remain safe for all.”