Travel to Ireland with rifles procedure

[Tommy2bucks]

Wondering if anyone can clarify the proper procedure to travel to Southern Ireland via cairnryan ferry, through N.I to Southern Ireland with stalking rifles have looked at some previous threads but seen some contradictory info just want to make sure I’m not doing anything wrong !
Thanks in advance

 

[Fair Hill]

Import firearms

Import firearms

www.gov.ie

 

[Fair Hill]

This is probably more apt.

Firearms and Explosives

Firearms and Explosives

www.gov.ie

 

[Tommy2bucks]

So do I need a permit to stalk in Ireland or is my firearms certificate sufficient

 

[Craigsaun]

We have stalked over in N I a couple of times. We always let them know when we book the ferry and when we check in at the port they call us one side for a little chat and we’re good to go . We have never had any issues, to be fair they are pretty good bunch . Happy stalking , it’s a cracking place

 

[Tommy2bucks]

Is it the same for Southern Ireland ?

 

[sako751sg]

So do I need a permit to stalk in Ireland or is my firearms certificate sufficient

Will need a deer license and if taking your own rifle will need to apply for a firearms certificate for a registered firearms I think.

 

[Tommy2bucks]

Even though I’ve already got a firearm certificate for uk ?

 

[DavyG]

Even though I’ve already got a firearm certificate for uk ?

You can travel to N. Ireland and go shooting with your UK FAC. Once you enter S. Ireland the rules change. S.Ireland is NOT part of the Uk. To bring your rifle into the country, you will need a visitors FAC. To shoot deer, you will need a permit from the Irish government.
Regards,
DG

 

[Dunwaters]

You’ll be dealing with 2 jurisdictions with different requirements, NI and ROI.
To bring a rifle into ROI you will need a visitors permit, no big deal you can apply on line.
To hunt deer you will need a deer hunting licence, theres a requirement for a “ national deer hunting qualification” , DSC1 or 2 or any other qualification covers it. Again, you can apply on line.
I’m not sure what the situation is for your transit through NI, you may need a visitors permit for there too, best to check, NI is officially part of the UK but has some very definite ideas of its own regarding firearms, so check.
One last thing, check the ferry companies T’s +C’s carefully, at least one company wouldn’t carry ammunition but had no problem with firearms.

Where about are you going?

 

[Sika98k]

Is it the same for Southern Ireland ?

No, it is not. Southern Ireland, aka the Republic of Ireland is a separate state.
To hunt deer here you require a non resident firearms licence, cost €40, valid for one year from date of issue.
Secondly you require a deer hunting licence issued by the NPWS , the National Park and Wildlife Service.
You also require some evidence of training in deer stalking, DSC1 or similar.

 

[Nicholas Fahey]

Has anyone had any experience flying to the Republic of Ireland with a rifle? I have an Irish deer licence and an NR firearms licence from the Garda, so I have those boxes ticked. Is it a pain in the hole, and is it better to ferry?
Cheers

 

[sako751sg]

Can only comment on the ferry route which is very simple.
Do it most years on route to Wicklow and have zero issues.

 

[Sika98k]

Has anyone had any experience flying to the Republic of Ireland with a rifle? I have an Irish deer licence and an NR firearms licence from the Garda, so I have those boxes ticked. Is it a pain in the hole, and is it better to ferry?
Cheers

With whom are you considering flying with ? Ryanair is out. Aer Lingus will carry firearms from major airports. Probably charge €80 each way.

 

[artschool]

Has anyone had any experience flying to the Republic of Ireland with a rifle? I have an Irish deer licence and an NR firearms licence from the Garda, so I have those boxes ticked. Is it a pain in the hole, and is it better to ferry?
Cheers

I travelled with Stena Line last October and it was simple. all you have to do at the ticket booth when you drive on is tell them you have firearms. they didn't inspect they seem to just want to know where the car is parked whilst on the ferry.

Customs in Dublin took a bit of time but I think that was due to freight traffic and not us. They did the usual check of serial numbers against FAC. The return journey was the same.

 

[Nicholas Fahey]

With whom are you considering flying with ? Ryanair is out. Aer Lingus will carry firearms from major airports. Probably charge €80 each way.

I would fly from Heathrow - so I will investigate Aer Lingus