Ireland welcomes over 11 million tourists from far and wide every year.
With our wild coastlines, lush green patchwork fields, history, culture and craic, it’s no surprise that millions fly into the Emerald Isle.
If you’re considering visiting us for the first time, take a look at the airport options below where we’ll provide a brief overview of each airport in the country, including location, opening date, size, average passenger numbers, routes served, major renovations, and other useful details for travellers.
How many Airports are in Ireland?
When we’re specifically speaking about the Republic of Ireland, it has 4 international airports. If you include Northern Ireland, there are 5 international airports in total.
The Republic of Ireland also has two smaller airports, servicing flights to nearby European nations, which are located in Kerry and Donegal. Northern Ireland also has two smaller airports doing the same, these are George Best Belfast City Airport and the City of Derry Airport.
Dublin Airport
- Location: Dublin (North-Side)
- Opening date: January 19, 1940
- Size: 7,000 acres
- Average passenger numbers per year: 31.5 million (pre-COVID)
- Routes served: Domestic, European, and international destinations, including New York, London, and Paris.
- Major renovations or refurbishments: Terminal 2 opened in 2010, with additional boarding gates and a new pier.
- Other useful details: Dublin Airport is the busiest airport in Ireland and is well-connected to the city center by bus, taxi, and public transportation.
Cork Airport
- Location: Cork
- Opening date: October 16, 1961
- Size: 1,700 acres
- Average passenger numbers per year: 2.6 million (pre-COVID)
- Routes served: Domestic and European destinations, including London, Amsterdam, and Barcelona. Major renovations or refurbishments: In 2006, a new terminal building was opened, increasing capacity and improving passenger experience.
- Other useful details: Cork Airport is the second-largest airport in Ireland and is located just 8 kilometers from Cork city center, with easy access via bus, taxi, and car.
Shannon Airport
- Location: Shannon, County Clare
- Opening date: October 18, 1945
- Size: 2,000 acres
- Average passenger numbers per year: 1.7 million (pre-COVID)
- Routes served: Domestic and international destinations, including New York, London, and Frankfurt. Major renovations or refurbishments: In 2017, a new pre-clearance facility was opened for US-bound passengers, making Shannon Airport the only airport outside of North America to offer this service.
- Other useful details: Shannon Airport is located in the west of Ireland and serves as a gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way, one of Ireland’s most popular tourist routes.
Ireland West Airport Knock
- Location: Charlestown, County Mayo
- Opening date: May 30, 1986
- Size: 660 acres
- Average passenger numbers per year: 807,000 (pre-COVID)
- Routes served: Domestic and European destinations, including London, Manchester, and Birmingham. Major renovations or refurbishments: In 2021, a new departures lounge and duty-free store were opened, improving the passenger experience.
- Other useful details: Ireland West Airport Knock is located in the west of Ireland and is a convenient entry point for travelers visiting Connemara, the Burren, and the Cliffs of Moher.
Airports in Northern Ireland
As mentioned, Northern Ireland has one international airport and two European-focused airports as follows:
- Belfast International Airport
- George Best Belfast City Airport
- City of Derry Airport
In total there are 9 commercial airports on the Emerald Isle. For the majority of visitors, you will pass through Dublin Airport simply due to its size and scale.
However, there are plenty of options to choose from and we hope you enjoy your trip!
