bvgs I think we may know each other I,m based in Scotland with a fair bit of gazelle and R44 in Ireland pplh.i could help a bit with info certainly crossing from scotland and around Dublin and west coast of Ireland.You can pm me if you know how to do it (I don,t?)Have pooleys charts etc happy to lend out.

The north and west is all spectacular from the air. Some 'gotchas' to note, in the North West Donegal rarely have Avgas, unless it's changed. Sligo do and are very friendly.
Down west, if stopping for fuel avoid Galway and go to Connamara airport to the west of the Galway zone. Uncontrolled but watch out for the Aran Islands flights which operate out of there.
Kerry is so so, if there's jet traffic to be serviced you may have to wait a considerable while. Plus a complicated trip from the pumps to the office to pay, then back (though security so keep the leatherman in the a/c) to the pumps.
Kilrush Co. Kildare have a great setup, fuel available by prior arrangement, and/or of you get lucky and someone is on the field.
Many of the small fields will not be manned/personned during the week. The international airports have varied reputations. Shannon and Cork Waterford are the better ones, Dublin is to be avoided.
Weston to the west of Dublin is the main GA field in Ireland, beware of the military and Dublin zones around and get info on the Weston departure/arrival procedures.
The helicopter site finder has a list of landing sites, also try Heliair who do a trip every year. Also do a search on flying in Ireland which may through up a resource or two.
In general flying in Ireland is very laid back. Note the Irish charts do not contain much detail compared to the UK charts. You'll be using major landmarks and not minor.
Disclaimer: Not comprehensive, only lists my personal experiences. May not do what it says on the tin etc.
Have fun!

Echo all the above. However, for NI be aware that Special Branch procedures still apply (as well as for Eire). Still lots of Danger/Restricted/Prohibited airspace in NI - check AIP and latest half mill.
Although the Irish flying is gorgeous, be prepared for some testy ATC and the requirement to file flight plans.
And of course get used to hearing about that charming Irish gent, Hector Pascal.

Wouldn't worry too much about the flight plan issue. Only required for crossing/entering the regional airport zones when active, plus the Dublin zone. File over the air 10 minutes before for the regional airport zones (when active). Never had a harsh word yet on that basis. For the Dublin zone, definitely file over via phone/fax/email beforehand.
ATC are generally quite calm, no FIS in Ireland as it applies in the UK in class G. Tell them about yourself 'for information only'. They may be interested in you giving them position reports, they may not, depending on what else is out there.
Technically you should file a flightplan when crossing the FIR from NI to Ireland (as we like to call it), however have done and not done with equal effect. Special Branch as above.
Ah yes Hector, not to be confused with his batty behind the times cousin Millie Bar. ;)

Flying in NI
 

Suggest you give Helicopter Training and Hire Ltd a call. They have fuel and will be able to advise on no go areas, special branch clearances required and sites to see. They have a web page at http://www.helicoptercentre.co.uk/. Landing fees at Newtownards last time I looked were £10.00. Speak to Lesley or Jackie they should be able to help.
Jon

I would question tu154's advice on flight plans. We have been told to file flight plans for EVERY flight. be it from airport to airport, or farmers field to farmers field and VFR or IFR. Special Branch is also needed on all flights from the UK in Northern Ireland and from Northern Ireland in Southern Ireland (and vice versa)

Great scenery though and the maps of the south are not at all helpful as tu154 states (we'll agree onm that bit!! :O ).

Would also agree with steering clear of Dublin airport. Not very GA freindly and that wait for fuel can be long (1.5 hours for my last visit there with fuel booked in advance!!)

That may be what you were told, but couldn't be further from the truth.
There is no requirement to file a flight plan whatsoever in Class G, including farmers field to farmers field.
This perception may have arisen as ATC at the 'regional' airports used to be a bit sticky about transting/entering their airspace without a flight plan filed by phone an hour beforehand, and there may have been the odd bollicking, for no justified reason I can think of.
When active they are Class C, which is whacky given there is no such requirement at many UK airfields that are an order of magnitude more busy. I've never had a problem over the air 10 minutes before. In any case they are such a small percentage of the Irish airspace, you can easily avoid unless you don't want to.
Edited to say: If departing from a Class C airport, then of course you would need to file beforehand.

So, it's as clear as Guinness then. And TU, don't get so jumpy - you're not the only fella with an Irish passport. Eire, Ireland, ROI - what's in a name ? I love both my countries - but I don't get pedantic about either.

Just be aware that the coast guard 61's regularly waz around low level in galway bay area and around the arran islands...talk to shannon on 127.5 and connemara ops that service the arran islands on 123.0.

all the best,
Fatigue.

Jon,

When you say 'they', don't you mean 'we'? :E :ok:

Heli Hotels
 

bvgs

One possible source for hotels detailing clearly those who have helipath :

http://www.bestloved.com/

d3

:) If you land at Weston (EIWT) make sure you sample some of the cuisine at the Sky Restaursant!!
Best around any airport in Ireland and possibly the UK.
Lebanese to Italian.....they'll cater to all tastes! You better be hungry coz there is a lot of food given in the standard portions! Ask for Simon or Hassan
and enjoy the flight and service!:cool:

That's me told then. :hmm: