- Explore modern Ireland – charming, beautiful, mystical, and very, very green!
- Wondering about some of the greatest spots for experiencing Ireland by drone? Check out our collection of some of our favorites.
- Learn more about the essential drone laws and regulations in the country before visiting.
Ireland – a land of abundance, fertile land. This is the etymological meaning of the country’s name which goes way back to the early Érainn people. And it truly has an abundance of everything for everyone’s taste. In Ireland, you can find towering skyscrapers, medieval castles, a village that dates back to the 18th century, prehistoric tombs, giant ringforts all existing side by side, waiting for you to experience the entire Ireland by drone. It’s a country of wonder, history, myths, urbanization, and lots of greenery. So, there is no question how it got its nickname Emerald Island.
It’s said that humans have lived in Ireland since 10,500 BC, dating back to the Paleolithic Age. The country, located to the northwest of Europe, just next to the British island, has a complex and long-standing history and culture separate and diverse from others on the continent. Proof of that is the worldwide-spanning celebration (or at least familiarity) of Saint Patrick’s Day around March 17. Furthermore, the country is home to amazing attractions like Grianán of Aileach, Cliffs of Moher, Downpatrick Head, Ring of Henry, and many more!
This Is Modern Ireland
Ireland is very often associated with shamrocks, pubs, the Guinness beer, whiskey, rugby, and the U2. Also, it ranks high on the World Happiness Report.
Since there are only a handful of official cities and big Irish towns, the country is famous for its thrilling scenic drives on open roads, breathtaking coves and cliffs, beautiful beaches, and lush forests. Still, the Irish towns and cities, including the likes of Dublin, Cork, Derry, Galway, and more, fascinate both locals and tourists alike with grandiose architecture, stop-in-your-tracks sights, and contemporary charm.
Speaking of scenic drives, Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way is one of the most popular driving routes where you can make multiple stops for flying your drone and capturing stunning photos and videos. Also, at around 1,553 miles (2,500 kilometers), it represents the world’s longest coastal driving route.
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Thanks to drone technology, we can experience beautiful locations that we think we know like never before. The ability to view objects top-down and from a birds-eye perspective enables us to admire them more and find out the intricacies that our eyes may have missed when watching from the ground. Indeed, drone tourism has grown popular due to its accessibility, too. Now you can virtually visit some of Ireland’s most famous attractions and landmarks all from the comfort of your couch. That way, you learn more about the country’s culture and beauty.
Grianán of Aileach (and Donegal County)
Sometimes referred to as Greenan Fort or Greenan Ely, it’s one of the most popular monuments in Inishowen in County Donegal and Ireland, in general. It’s situated on a hilltop 244 meters (around 800 feet) above sea level.
The Tuatha de Danann have first constructed the ringfort around 1,700 BC. In fact, it represented a seat of power back in the day. Further, plenty of intriguing legends are connected to it. One of them claims that the giants of Inishowen are sleeping under the hill where Grianán of Aileach stands. However, when someone removes a hidden sacred sword from the fort, the giants will awake and reclaim what was once theirs.
The view from the stone fort spreads on the neighboring counties, untouched nature and greenery like you’ve never experienced before. No wonder people say they feel like they are in an Irish folk tale when they visit it.
Moreover, the drone shots – top-down photos, in particular – are out of this world. Drone pilots, if you have a chance to visit it, make sure you have your drone with you.
The ringfort is far from the only attraction worth seeing in Donegal. The county is rich with both natural and human-made monuments and attractions like the ones along Atlantic Way, Slieve League, Glenveagh National Park, Donegal Castle, Fanad Head Lighthouse, and more.
Dublin
The capital city of Ireland is filled with many spots where you can take amazing drone footage. Thanks to its rich history and culture, Dublin has multiple museums like the National Museum of Ireland, the Irish Immigration Museum, and the Irish Museum of Modern Art that are interesting to see. Also, you can go to Kildare Street where you’ll find another nice-looking building – the Irish Parliament. Its specific architecture and colorful roof are a real marvel.
Credits to ALL in 4K
Not to mention that this is the right city to be in if you want to add green footage to your gallery. The numerous parks will serve this purpose. One of the exceptional parks is the one on the grand Merrion Square. It features the statue of the renowned writer Oscar Wilde as well as a lot of trees and greenery. Also, this is the spot where artists gather during the weekends to display their drawings and paintings to the visitors.
In fact, Merrion Square by itself is a sight worth experiencing. Its buildings with larger top windows simply take you back to the Georgian era.
Of course, Dublin is rich with so many more places to fly over and visit, so keep an eye on them during your stay. However, UAS operators have to watch out for no-fly zones and thoroughly check out the current relevant drone regulations and laws.
Ring of Kerry
Get ready for an unforgettable adventure when you come to the Ring of Kerry. There is a reason why it’s known as one of the most picturesque places in the whole of Ireland. Simply, at every turn, there is a waterfall, a lake, or an ancient castle to explore accompanied by natural beauties and sharp cliffs. The whole route starts and ends in Killarney and goes around the Iveragh Peninsula with a road of 179 kilometers.
Those that are eager to dive deeper into the place, should definitely visit the amazing beaches and the three small colorful villages Kenmare, Sneem, and Waterville. They hold treasures within them, as well, such as jaw-dropping views, galleries, old pubs, and lined houses in different colors.
Cork
Cork takes second place when it comes to the biggest cities in Ireland, just after Dublin. Therefore, it has something special to offer, as well, especially when you experience it by drone. For starters, St. Patrick’s Street is a must for visitors. It’s spacious and has many modern buildings and stores to see. Not to mention that it houses the English Market, too, together with St. Patrick’s Bridge.
Next, you can check out St. Fin Barre’s Cathedral. Its structure and architecture are a marvel to the eyes and its medieval style is enough to capture the attention of every visitor that passes by it. Of course, there are many other churches to see like the St. Anne’s Church with the Shandon Bells tower.
Aside from this, when you visit Cork, you must make time to go to some of the famous castles and rock cliffs. These include Blackrock Castle Observatory, Blarney Castle, and the Ballycotton Cliff. Actually, Ballycotton is a village where the main residents are fishermen. And it is surrounded by amazing nature. There you’ll have the opportunity to take a walk along the cliff that will help you create unforgettable memories and capture them with your drone.
Named after the city, the county Cork is Ireland’s largest county, measuring around 2,879 square miles (7,457 square kilometers).
Cliffs of Moher
Often considered as the country’s most visited natural attraction, the Cliffs of Moher are situated on the Wild Atlantic Way. They stand tall over 700 feet (around 213 meters) above the ocean, stretching southward for around 5 miles (8 kilometers). Interestingly enough, you may find them familiar from cult movies like The Princess Bride and Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
The cliffs bring out the adventurous side of the visitors. And they look even more marvelous and in all their glory thanks to drone photography and drone footage.
Downpatrick Head
Located in North Mayo, on Ireland’s west coast, this scenic peninsula is the place where geological formations meet history, legends, folklore, and art. One of the peninsula’s most notable sights is the Dún Briste – a narrow sea stack rising out of the waters.
Credits to Gary Cummins
The stack was actually a sea arch where people lived in the past until the arch collapsed due to a massive storm. This happened way back in the 1300s.
Now it’s one of Ireland’s most picturesque spots, providing a variety of opportunities for aerial photography. When you are exploring Ireland by drone, make sure you stop by.
Ireland by Drone: Overview of Drone Laws and Regulations
A drone operator can definitely fly a drone in Ireland. Still, you have to respect and abide by the current drone regulations in the country.
The national aviation authority in charge of drones and regulating them in Ireland is the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA). Since the country is a member of the European Union, Ireland’s drone laws are in line with the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), too. The regulating organization issues EU-wide drone rules.
Generally speaking, the drone laws and regulations are similar to the ones found in other countries in the Union and the world. A drone has to be registered if it weighs more than 2.2 pounds (around a kilo) and if you plan to fly above 49 feet (around 15 meters). Connected to this, drones can’t weigh more than 55 pounds (around 25 kilograms) and you can’t fly one above 394 feet (approximately 120 meters). It’s advisable to stay at a distance from airports, large crowds of people, buildings, and similar. And you can’t fly a drone over Irish national monuments. Furthermore, maintaining a direct line of sight with your drone while you’re operating with it is a must.
We, at The Drones World strongly urge you to always carefully analyze the drone laws and regulations set in place at IAA’s webpage before you embark on an adventure of exploring Ireland by drone.
Looking for more global destinations to explore from a bird’s-eye view? Check out some other European drone-friendly spots like Budapest and Belarus. Take your drone across the pond to gorgeous Massachusetts, Nevada or even Australia.
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