✈️ IRELAND · ÉIRE
🇮🇪 Airports of Ireland
The complete guide to Ireland’s airports: terminals, parking, transport and travel tips — all 11 airports on the island, explained in plain English.
11
Airports
2
US preclearance
English
Guide language
Dublin
Busiest airport
About Ireland’s Airports
Ireland’s air network revolves around Dublin Airport, which handles the great majority of the island’s passengers and is run by daa — the same authority that operates Cork Airport. Dublin is home to Aer Lingus and is one of Ryanair’s biggest bases, so between the two home carriers, plus a strong line-up of European and transatlantic airlines, the capital is connected to well over 100 destinations.
Ireland holds a trump card no other European country can match: US preclearance at both Dublin and Shannon. Travellers to the United States clear American immigration and customs before they board, then land in the US as domestic passengers — no queues on arrival. It is one of the main reasons Shannon, the historic transatlantic stopover on the west coast, still punches above its weight.
Beyond the big three, regional airports keep the island connected: Ireland West Airport at Knock serves the west and the pilgrim traffic to Knock Shrine, Kerry and Donegal rely on subsidised PSO routes to Dublin, and Northern Ireland has Belfast International and the city-centre Belfast City. Two airports on this list — Galway and Waterford — currently have no scheduled services, and their guides say so honestly, with the nearest working alternatives.
Most Popular Airport Guides
Start with the six airports that carry almost every passenger on the island.
Dublin Airport
DUB · Dublin
Ireland’s biggest gateway by far: two terminals, US preclearance, the Aer Lingus and Ryanair bases, and every way into the city centre explained.
Cork Airport
ORK · Cork
The south’s friendly hub, run by daa just minutes from the city: quick security, handy parking and easy routes to Britain and Europe.
Shannon Airport
SNN · Shannon
The west’s transatlantic pioneer: US preclearance, the world’s first airport duty-free shop, and the gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way.
Belfast International Airport
BFS · Belfast
Northern Ireland’s busiest airport: open around the clock, strong on low-cost routes, with the express bus straight into Belfast.
Belfast City Airport
BHD · Belfast
Five minutes from the city centre: the harbour airport built for business travellers and quick hops across to Britain.
Ireland West Airport Knock
NOC · Knock
County Mayo’s airport, built for Knock Shrine pilgrims and the diaspora: direct routes to Britain and a growing list of sun flights.
All Airports in Ireland
All 11 airports on the island of Ireland — from Dublin to Donegal, and from Derry to Waterford.
Tips for Flying in Ireland
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Use US preclearance
Flying to the US from Dublin or Shannon? You clear US immigration before departure, so leave a little extra time at the Irish airport — then simply walk out when you land in the States.
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Buses rule the regions
Outside Dublin, most airports are reached by Bus Éireann or private coaches rather than trains. Always check the coach timetable in each guide before you book an early flight.
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Regional parking bargains
Knock, Kerry and Donegal have some of the cheapest airport parking in Ireland, and the car parks are a short stroll from the terminal. Booking online ahead of summer still saves money.
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Leave a weather buffer
Atlantic weather can delay flights at the smaller western airports, especially in winter. If you have a connection, leave a sensible gap between flights.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many airports are there in Ireland?
This guide covers all 11 airports on the island of Ireland with a commercial past or present — from Dublin and the two Belfast airports to tiny Donegal, one of the prettiest approaches in the world.
What is US preclearance?
At Dublin and Shannon, US officers check your passport and customs declaration in Ireland before your flight. Ireland is one of the very few countries outside North America offering it, and it turns a US arrival into a domestic one.
Which is Ireland’s busiest airport?
Dublin, by a wide margin — over 30 million passengers a year, ahead of Belfast International and Cork.
Do Galway and Waterford airports have flights?
Not at present: neither has scheduled services today. Their guides explain the situation honestly — Waterford has a funded plan to extend its runway for a possible return of flights — and point you to the nearest alternative airport.
Are the guides written for Irish travellers?
Yes: every Irish airport guide is written in Irish English, with local bus companies, real parking prices and the terms people in Ireland actually search for.
See Airport Guides for Other Countries
Airportsy publishes guides to 547 airports in 20 countries, each in the country’s own language.