Planespotting / Viewing Guides for Dublin, Shannon airports, and other airports and airfields in Ireland

Aircraft Spotting at Ireland's Airfields and Airports

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Spotting locations, viewing areas and advice on access for airports and airfields in Ireland. Use the hotlinks above or scroll down for spotting information on spotting locations, airfield hangar access, aviation museums, preserved aircraft. Plus all the information has been plotted as Points of Interest and can be downloaded to your SatNavs and Google Earth to make planning your spotting trips abroad so much easier and helping you log many more
To assist with planning your trips, be advised the vehicles travel slower round here than in the UK. What looks a short distance can take a long time. Read the small print when hiring a car. The really cheap offers may contain hidden and very expensive fuel surcharges: look for a slightly more expensive one that just requires you to return it with a full tank. For more info visit Irish Aviation & Irish Spotters Email Group

Planespotting at Ireland's Airports & Airfields has been plotted on Google Maps, Google Earth, and can be added to your SatNav - click to download
All 32 Irish locations - where they are, viewing spots, hotels and preserved aircraft can be seen on detailed satellite images, making planning your spotting trip exceptionally easy. All these spotting points of interest can be added to your SatNav to give you another excellent resource to make your trip that much easier and more enjoyable. Please read the Download Instructions for example screenshots and further details

ABBEYSHRULE AIRFIELD - TWR 122.6

Spotting Info
Head north through Abbeyshrule village and take the tight left right turns over the canal. Take the next right down a track that narrows as it goes back over the canal. Airfield entrance is on the left. Friendly, ask permission at the main hangar or at the club caravan. There are also around half a dozen wrecks hidden in the bushes. If the hangars are shut, there are gaps and windows to look through. On the north side of the runway is the assembly plant and a hangar for the Czech built kit planes Samba and Lambada, they are friendly here also. Ask for permission to walk across the runway, or you can drive. To get here from the main side, head back over the canal and turn right. At the end of the long straight road it bends slightly left. Turn right here, head over the canal and follow to the end. A couple of the hangars here have windows to look through if they're locked up.

BALDONNEL-CASEMENT AIR BASE & MUSEUM

Spotting Info
Home of the Irish Air Corps Museum. Access is only during weekday working hours and by prior arrangement only. Fully escorted tours of the base are also available.
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BIRR AIRFIELD - A/G 122.95

Spotting Info
Just to the east of Birr-Roscrea road. If the hangar's locked up, there are a few gaps to look through
Ormand Flying Club

CITYWEST HOTEL HELIPAD

Spotting Info
Just across the road from Baldonnel air base and museum is this often used helipad with a hangar. Turn off the southbound carriage of the N7 into the main Citywest Hotel entrance. Follow the road that runs behind the hotel for the helipad.

CLONBULLOGUE-CLONAD AIRFIELD - A/G 128.55

Spotting Info
Head south through Clonbullogue village on the R401 and fork right at the triangle junction, leaving the R401. Take the next right and the airfield is just over 1 mile on the left. Home of the Irish Parachute Club and is signed as such once in Clonbullogue village. The airfield has two hangars, one on the Parachute club side, which also houses the clubhouse and restaurant, and a second hangar on the other side of the runway threshold. Very friendly airfield, ask for access to the hangars.
Irish Parachute Club

CONNEMARA-INVERAN AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Just west of Inveran village off the R336. Follow the large Aer Arran signs - airstrip is 400 yards down lane to left (can be easily seen from main road). The three Aer Arran Islanders are in and out all day and other visitors do appear occasionally.

CORK AIRPORT - TWR 119.3, 121.7 / APP 119.9 / GND 121.85

Terminal Spotting Info
South of city on N71. Views can be had at each end of the terminal although they are out in the open. Upstairs in the food court there are limited ramp views, however these are through two glass walls and you have departing passengers passing through your view. Good views can be had from the open top of the multi-story car park.

GA Area
To get to the GA area from the terminal, leave the airport main entrance road and turn right at the roundabout onto the R600 towards Kinsale. The entrance is about half a mile on the right. Exec Helis are very friendly - ask for access to hangars, as are Atlantic Aviation and SkyWest.
Cork Spotters Forum
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DROMOD-CAVAN & LEITRIM RAILWAY MUSEUM

Spotting Info
Head north through Dromod village and turn right to stay on the R371 towards the railway station. Head over the railway line and the museum is directly opposite the main station building. Or from the N4, head west off the N4 (signposted Dromad) on to the R202. Travel about 800m and just before the railway station turn right. This is the car park for the museum. Housing 19 exhibits in various states from complete to cockpits, it's open 1000-1700 Saturdays and Mondays, and 1300-1700 Sundays.
The Cavan and Leitrim Railway

DUBLIN AIRPORT - TWR 118.6 / APP 121.1, 119.55 / GND 121.8

Spotting Info

North of Dublin on N1. Best place to spot is the lay-by and raised mound on the southern perimeter road overlooking runway 28 (usually the active) and 34 thresholds, especially from the raised ground. This spot can be reached by going right when you exit the terminal and following the road past the fuel farm, towards the long-term car park. At the traffic lights turn right and proceed to the next set of traffic lights, where you again turn right. Keep walking for about 1/2 mile and the lay-by will come up on your left side. Beyond the lay-by and beyond Irish Helicopters is the Blue long-stay car park. The free bus journey to and from the terminal 5 minutes. A lot of walking you might say, fine on a nice day, but you can get a bus to the last rift turn, ask the driver to let you off at Dardistown Cemetery, then cross over at the lights and walk the 1/2 mile to the lay-by. The bus stop is to the left as you exit the terminal, any Bus Atha Cliath (Dublin Bus) going towards the City centre, be careful the car park and hotel buses also operate from this area. But driving around the perimeter there are a number of places to stop.

Go left out of the terminal and follow the exit road past the back of the hangars to where the road meets the Northern perimeter road and turn left. Shortly a lay-by will come up on your right side. There's a lot of building work going on, so it may not be advisable to walk it, if it's even possible to get through and it can get very muddy. Driving around the perimeter roads to the northern lay-by is the best way. From here you can see all of the North apron, biz apron, north side of pier D, remote stands, as well as all the hangars - as you look at them from your right they are numbered 1 to 6. On your way around you pass close to Hangar 6 - the area is under video surveillance, so do not go up to the fence, look but keep walking. There is no bus service in this direction.

From here, drive and follow the road around the airport, keeping it on your left hand side all the time and you will pass the hangars on the west side of the field, which house Aer Lingus Commuter and the Coast Guard Air-Sea Rescue unit for the East Coast, the Air-Traffic and Fire Service facilities. It's easy to read these off.

Carrying on, just before the road bends to the right there is another vantage point giving a panoramic view of the field from the biz park to the cargo ramp and also Irish Helicopters facility on the south side of the main runway - you can log the helicopters from the security fence but do not walk up to the gate.

Walking to either the northern or southern lay-bys will take about half an hour. If the weather is fine, walking to the southern lay-by takes you past the eastern end of the cargo ramp as you walk along the old Dublin / Belfast Road and the registrations can be read off easily. No facilities at either lay-bys, but there's a shop under the car park opposite the terminal for hot food, snacks and drinks.

EI-CJD B737 is stored at the airport and often found on West apron when it's not in use as a tug trainer.

For a day trip, it should be possible for you to check in online for both your inbound and outbound journeys before you arrive at your departure airport. This then gives you the option, once you've gone through passport control and are landside, of going straight back through security to airside, and the various piers. If you fly into Dublin with Ryanair, you'll arrive at pier D. On the walk to the main terminal area you will be able to see the bizjet ramp and can stop to log them without any problems.

Terminal Landside
The Sky View Cafe is on the 3rd floor in the main hall and gives you views of all arrivals and departures, great for logging, no good for photos but the best place if it's wet and free coffee refills. Come out of arrivals and head for 3rd floor of the terminal. once on the 3rd floor turn left and it's on your left before McDonalds. Plenty of tables to sit at and look out on to the apron. You can sit there all day and no one will bother you. You may have to wait a while to get window seats. A similar view can be had next to the toilets behind the food court. You have to keep watching the departure screens, which give you departing times from the gate, as anything to the left of pier B could easily be missed sneaking out to the runway and you have to be quick. You can log most movements after dark as well, with just the Ryanairs using the far taxiway being unreadable. You can also try asking in the ops room for access, they may take you on an escorted tour - turn left out of the terminal, look for an open space to walk through and you should see some offices - ask for the Ops Room. If you're flying out, it may be worth a quick trip to the top of the car park (level 6) opposite the terminal and then check in as soon as possible and go through security and duty free area.

Airside
Once through security, you may get a better view from whichever gate area you're departing from. Piers B and C are higher up so you should be able to see further. Pier A is at ground level so you wont be able to see very far from there and once you walk down to Pier A you can't go back. So if you're departing from an A gate, do your spotting from the windows at areas B and C until your flight is boarding. Pier B, which the trans-atlantics use, has good panorama through over 180 degrees. Gate B25 has an excellent overall view. Pier C is long with no facilities, but a variety of airlines with Euro/Regional planes coming and going and views of cargo. If you're flying out of pier A, start at C and work your way back via B, and maybe visit D. Then make your way to gate A10 - you'll see everything except cargo and biz, it will all taxi past. If you have the time (15 minutes walk), pier D (Ryanair) has good views of movements on both sides with huge glass windows, and you'll be able to read off any biz parked up, and into one of the hangars when walking to the exit. You can stay at gates D67-72 for example and there's a Burger King in pier D with an elevated position but only go down here if you're flying out of pier D as you can't get back out.

Planespotting Hotels - its location is marked in the Spotting in Ireland download
The Carlton Hotel overlooks the approach to runway 28 and the views from north facing rooms are excellent. The free shuttle bus takes you to and from the terminal.
The Carlton Hotel features on

for reviews, prices and room availability

Dublin Airport Movements
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DUBLIN-KNOCKSEDAN HELIPORT

Spotting Info
1-2 miles north of Dublin Airport, alongside the R108. No access here, you can only log what's parked outside.

DUNSHAUGHLIN-TREVET FARM AIRFIELD - A/G 118.275

Spotting Info
Head north out of Drumree village on the minor road towards Garretstown and Trevet. Airfield is no more than 2 miles on the right. Friendly, ask for access though access to the site is through electrically operated gates and this, together with a spotter-proof hangar, means it could be a wasted journey if nobody is present.

GALWAY-CARNMORE AIRPORT - TWR 122.5

Spotting Info
By N6/N18 junction east of Galway town. Views from the terminal are the best option. The views from the security fence are severely hindered by a mound of earth.
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GOREY AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head south out of Ballycale village on the R741. After less than half a mile you will see a track/farm road on your right. Turn right here, the hangar is beside the road. Continue for another 300m to the airstrip itself.

GOWRAN GRANGE AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
A couple of miles south of Naas town, alongside the R411. Very friendly, ask for access.

GRANARD-FERSKILL AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head south out of Granard village on the N55 road for 2 miles. At the staggered crossroads turn right onto The Bog Road heading northwest for no more than a mile. At the T-junction turn left and the hangars and airstrip are on your left.

HACKETSTOWN AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
1 mile SE of Hacketstown, on the left of the R747.

KERRY AIRPORT - TWR 123.325

Spotting Info
Just off the N22/N23 junction, north of Killarney. There are no views of the airfield from within the terminal until you get to the departure gate. There are views of the taxiway at an oblique angle through the wire fence and a head on view of the runway - though you face straight into the sun for much of the day. The only way to see the ramp is through the fence to the left of the terminal (through steps and equipment). The flying club hangar is accessible via the car park. Visiting bizjets are often parked at the far side of the terminal from the car park but can be seen and photographed from an access gate by the side of the terminal.
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KILKENNY AIRFIELD - A/G 122.9

Spotting Info
West of Kilkenny town, in Holdensrath. Very friendly, ask for access.
Recreational Flying Club

KILRUSH AIRFIELD - A/G 123.425

Spotting Info
Travel north past Kilmead village on the R418 and over the R415 staggered crossroads. After less than a mile you'll pass the end of the grass runway on your right. After a couple of houses, turn right and the entrance is on the right after a couple of right bends. Very friendly, ask for access in the tower or in the first hangar. Once you get to the end of the flightline, there is a taxiway going behind the house. There are two further hangars away from the main field, down a turning on the left hand side of the taxiway. Both are full of residents and the doors should be unlocked for you to enter - again get permission from the guys in the first hangar. Usually at least a couple parked around the outside too.
Kilrush Airfield

KNOCK AIRPORT - TWR 130.7, A/G 121.9

Spotting Info
On N17, north of Kilkelly village. Small enough to be viewed from the terminal.

LETTERKENNY AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head east out of Letterkenny on the N13/N14. Go straight on at the second, Port roundabout, which has the Pole Star sculpture in the centre made from black timber poles. Continue to the Bunagee Roundabout. There is a service station on the left actually on the roundabout. Go left immediately after the garage (not the dual carriageway) and follow this road for about 1 mile (which mostly parallels the N13) until you come to a low fence with a farm gate on your right. This is also the end of the runway so keep a good lookout as you drive to the hangars at the other end. If the gate is unlocked you can drive to the far end or if it's locked, you can walk. Either way, keep a sharp lookout for activity.

LIMERICK-COONAGH AIRFIELD - A/G 129.9

Spotting Info
Leave Limerick in the direction of Galway and Shannon. At the junction of the N18 and N7, which is a roundabout with a Travelodge next to it, take the minor road off to the left signed Coonagh. Drive to the end, a mile or so, turn left, and the airfield is a few hundred yards on the left. Ask for permission, very friendly.
Limerick Flying Club

NEWCASTLE AIRFIELD - A/G 122.55

Spotting Info
Head north through Newcastle village on the R761, and turn right onto Sea Road that runs all the way to the coast. The hangar is on the left and the runway is further on, near the end of the road. Very friendly, ask for access.

PORTARLINGTON-LIMETREE AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head north out of Emo village on the R422 and go straight over the R419 crossroads. After the railway line, take the next right. Go round a right and left bend and the strip is on the left. Friendly, ask for access to the hangars.

RATHCOOLE AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
The airfield is 5 miles NE of Millstreet, Co Cork. Leave Millstreet to the east on the R583. Take the third road on the right, after almost 3 miles, which should be signposted for Rathcoole and Banteer. Travel for a futher 3 miles, to the village of Rathcoole, turn left, cross the level crossing and take the second left. The entrance is on the right.

SHANNON AIRPORT - TWR 118.7, 121.9 / APP 120.2, 121.4 / GND 121.8

Spotting Info
On the N19, northwest of Limerick and signposted. Approaching the industrial area, the road changes from dual to single carriageway to pass the Westair hangar. Turn right and then immediate left around the hangar to view the Westair ramp through the fence and gate. Photography is possible though angles through the bars may not be ideal. There is plenty of car parking. Carry on and the road turns 90 degrees right. Through the trees you can see any parked AN124s and photos are sometimes possible depending on how much ground equipment is parked beyond the fence. This road is a dead end and is used by large trucks visiting factories along the road so park with caution. Return to the main road, turn right for the terminal and continue through the Garda checkpoint to the main car park. There is an excellent viewing area overlooking the ramp, gained from a lift in the concourse. Views are through darkened and often very grubby glass but, if you are prepared to pay for the car park, there is no charge to sit all day and there is a soft drinks machine and food is available from concourse shops. It is possible to read off pretty much everything on the field. The perimeter road at the north of the field has a permanent Garda presence, but they are friendly and appreciate our hobby and are happy to chat.

There is a south facing small car park with views across the runway and field on the truncated perimeter road at the north of the field. Leave the terminal and, from the Limerick road, follow the signs towards Newmarket on Fergus. At the first roundabout after leaving the Limerick road, take the minor road to the left towards Shannon Aerospace. At Shannon Aerospace, turn left and follow the lane under the height restrictor. This place has lost its permanent Garda presence but there are regular checks. The Garda has closed this spot from time to time, without prior warning, telling people that it will be closed for a specified period. Also, since the fence was replaced with a higher version, there has been the odd problem with using ladders too close to the fence which upsets certain Garda and Airport Security personnel, but by no means all of them.

Planespotting Hotels
The Shannon Springs Hotel in Ballycasey is easily reached from the terminal by local buses to Limerick or Ennis, numbers 343/344. Any room overlooking the main road gives views of arrivals on runway 24 but you need a good set of binoculars to read them off.
The Shannon Springs Hotel features on

for reviews, prices and room availability
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SLIGO AIRFIELD

Spotting Info Just north of Strandhill village off the R292 and right alongside the coast. Follow signs. Very friendly, ask for permission for access.

THURLES AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
Head east out of Thurles on the N75 for about 5 miles and turn left at Two Mile Borris. Head north for 2 miles to Ballyduff bridge and turn right on to a single track road for 700m. The strip is down a track on your right.

TOOMYVARA-PALLAS WEST AIRFIELD

Spotting Info
On the N7 road heading west towards Nenagh. Turn right at the crossroads in Toomyvara heading northwest onto a single track road for 900m. The strip and hangars are on your right behind a row of farm sheds and the owners home.

TRIM AIRFIELD - TWR 123.3

Spotting Info
Head northeast out of Trim village on the R161. After you pass Littlerath, turn left and the airfield's on the right after the long right hand bend. Very friendly, ask for access.
Trim Flying Club

WATERFORD AIRPORT - TWR 129.85 / GND 121.6

Spotting Info
South of Waterford city alongside the R708. Best viewed from the terminal. The main road from Waterford City has good views of traffic on the approach to runway 21.
Waterford Airport - check the arrivals and departures boards to time your visit

WESTON AIRFIELD - TWR 122.4

Spotting Info
Entrance is off the R403 west of Dublin city. No airside or hangar access but all parked outside can be logged by walking the fenceline by the car park and along the road leading into the car park. On the upper floor of the clubhouse is a restaurant with views across the field where you are allowed to log from. XV863 Buccaneer is preserved near the car park. VP-BPS Catalina fuselage and wing are southside and possibly visible from the clubhouse restaurant.
Weston Airport
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