Paragliding & Hang Gliding
Soar above Ireland's stunning landscapes
Free flight in Ireland is ridge and thermal soaring from hills and coastal escarpments, flown from March to October when conditions are workable. Mount Leinster on the Carlow–Wexford border is the best-known inland site; the Great Sugarloaf in Wicklow is the closest to Dublin; Binevenagh in Derry and Achill in Mayo give strong coastal ridge lift. There are two routes in. A tandem flight with a qualified pilot needs no training and is the way most people first fly. Flying solo means a course with a recognised school and progression through the rating system administered by the Irish Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association.
Where to go
Season: March – October · Suits: Beginner (tandem) to Advanced
The best-known inland flying site in Ireland, working across several wind directions with reliable thermal and ridge lift.
Great Sugarloaf
WicklowA distinctive cone south of Dublin and the closest regularly flown site to the city.
Binevenagh
DerryA basalt escarpment above the Foyle with strong, dependable coastal ridge lift and a long soaring face.
Achill Island
MayoExposed Atlantic coastal flying with dramatic scenery, and conditions that reward experience.
About paragliding & hang gliding in Ireland
Take flight from Ireland's coastal cliffs and mountain ridges. With reliable thermal and ridge lift conditions, sites across Ireland offer paragliding and hang gliding experiences from tandem introductory flights to solo cross-country adventures.
Common questions
Can I try paragliding without any training?
Yes, on a tandem flight. You fly with a qualified pilot who handles the launch, the flight and the landing, and you need no prior experience. It's also the standard way to find out whether you want to train properly.
What's the minimum age for a tandem flight?
There isn't a national one. The IHPA sets pilot ratings rather than age limits for tandem passengers, so the rule comes from the operator flying you, and it is about weight and consent rather than age. Ireland's main tandem operator requires parental or guardian consent for under 18s and a passenger weight between 30kg and 100kg. A child comfortably over 30kg is not ruled out by age, but the pilot has the final call on the day. Confirm weight and height with the operator before buying a voucher.
How do I learn to fly solo in Ireland?
Through a recognised school, progressing through the pilot rating system administered by the Irish Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association. Training covers ground handling, launching, flight control and airlaw before you fly a site unsupervised.
What's the difference between paragliding and hang gliding?
A paraglider is a fabric wing with no rigid frame. It packs into a rucksack and is flown seated in a harness. A hang glider has a rigid frame, is flown prone, and is faster with a better glide. Both are governed in Ireland by the IHPA.
How weather-dependent is flying in Ireland?
Completely. Sites need the wind within a fairly narrow speed range and coming from close to the right direction, with no rain and a stable enough airmass. Booked tandem flights are frequently postponed, so allow flexible dates.
Find a centre
No governing body publishes a provider list for paragliding & hang gliding, so we have no accredited centres to name. The full directory holds 76 adventure centres, many of them multi-sport.