Skydiving & Parachuting
Freefall over Ireland's patchwork countryside
Almost everyone's first jump in Ireland is a tandem: harnessed to an instructor, exiting between roughly 10,000 and 15,000 feet, with 30 to 60 seconds of freefall before the canopy opens. Drop zones operate in Kilkenny, Offaly and Galway, and the jumping season runs from around March to October because it depends on cloud base and wind rather than temperature. If you want to jump alone, drop zones run static line and accelerated freefall courses, with progression overseen by the Parachute Association of Ireland. Age, weight and medical limits vary by drop zone, so check before you book.
Where to go
Season: March – October (weather dependent) · Suits: Beginner (tandem) to Expert
Kilkenny
KilkennyA long-established centre for tandem jumps and student progression in the south-east.
Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly
OffalyThe Irish Parachute Club, founded 1956 and the country's main drop zone. Midlands jumping over flat, open countryside, with straightforward landing areas that suit student progression. skydive.ie
Galway
GalwayWest coast drop zone with Atlantic and Connemara views on a clear day.
About skydiving & parachuting in Ireland
Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush with tandem skydives over Ireland's stunning landscapes. Purpose-built drop zones operate across the country, offering jumps from 10,000 to 15,000 feet with views stretching from coast to coast.
Common questions
What happens on a tandem skydive?
You're harnessed to an instructor who wears the parachute system and controls the jump. After a short briefing you climb to between about 10,000 and 15,000 feet, exit, freefall for roughly 30 to 60 seconds, then fly under canopy for several minutes to landing.
What are the age and weight limits for skydiving in Ireland?
They vary by drop zone and are set by equipment limits and insurance rather than by one national rule. Every centre publishes its own minimum age and maximum weight, so confirm both when booking rather than assuming.
How do I learn to skydive solo?
Through a static line or accelerated freefall course at a drop zone, progressing under the system overseen by the Parachute Association of Ireland. Solo progression requires repeated jumps in a fairly short window, so it suits people who can commit consecutive weekends.
Why do skydives get cancelled so often?
Jumping needs a high enough cloud base to see the ground from altitude, and surface wind within limits. Both change hour to hour in Ireland, so drop zones routinely put jumps on hold or reschedule. Book with a flexible date in mind.
Find a centre
No governing body publishes a provider list for skydiving & parachuting, so we have no accredited centres to name. The full directory holds 76 adventure centres, many of them multi-sport.