Racing Pigeons are raced in Ireland in flocks of anything up to 30,000 birds. They initially circle the point of liberation briefly while getting their bearings, then head for home.

Aer Rianta, the Irish Aviation Authority, and in particular, Dublin Airport Authority realise the hazard posed by large flocks of birds (and that includes racing pigeons) flying over airports. This is particularly so when aeroplanes are either landing or taking off. Racing pigeons, in their determination to get home as quickly as possible, seem to be unaware of the dangers of aircraft.

Meetings take place regularly between all the Airport Authorities and officials of the racing pigeon authorities (IHU,  RPRA and major Federations) to discuss and review all aspects of the issue.

In the interest of safety, there is unanimous agreement on the following:

a.   There will be no racing, or mass liberation of racing pigeons from any site that is within 50km (about 30 miles)  of the entire length of the east coast of Ireland.

b.   Mass liberation of racing pigeons is not permitted within an eight mile radius of any of the airports listed below.

c.   Even outside the eight mile radius, where there is a possibility of the racing pigeons  over-flying an airport, Air Traffic Control should be advised at least one hour before liberation or of any subsequent time changes.

AIRPORTS  AND  THEIR  CONTACT  PHONE  NUMBERS

    Dublin            01-8445962                         Shannon         061-472284
    Cork               021-4316389                      Waterford       051-850341
    Kerry              066-64794                          Galway            091-770730
    Knock             094-67055                          Sligo               071-68461
    Donegal         075-48604                          Baldonnel       01-4037514


BALDONNEL  MILITARY  AIRPORT 

Baldonnel Military Airport is experiencing a difficulty particular to itself, due to its location south-west of Dublin. The area around Naas and the Curragh is particularly popular with fanciers in the Greater Dublin Area as a training point for their racing pigeons. Unfortunately, the flight path home brings them across Baldonnel.

As Baldonnel is a Military Airport, the nature of its operations are very different to that of any other airport in the country. Unlike a civilian airport, they could be using all runways at any one time. At Baldonnel there is a significant training component which means a lot of their aircraft operate locally carrying out what is called a circuit - the aircraft takes off and lands again, about nine times in an hour. Also, helicopters operate low level around the airfield simultaneously on a different runway. Significantly, some of the military aircraft have only one engine and therefore the consequences of a bird-strike would be disastrous.

At a recent meeting with the Irish Homing Union the airport authorities asked that all IHU members releasing racing pigeons that may overfly the airport to phone the Air Traffic Control  (just before release) at:
                                          01- 4037514
 and give the following information:

• Release Point
• Number of racing pigeons being released
• Destination

 They stress that they are not trying in any way to hamper the sport of racing pigeons, and they acknowledge the tradition and history associated with it.

FANCIERS TRAINING PIGEONS IN THE NAAS/KILDARE/CURRAGH/CELBRIDGE AREA:

No matter how big or how small the number of racing pigeons you are releasing please phone the above number so that thee authorities can warn the aircraft. Flocks of racing pigeons crossing the airport at very low level (depending on the weather) and high speeds (depending on the wind) and without warning (depending on YOU) can pose a very real threat to Irish Aircorps Aircraft.

The Irish Homing Union expects all members to comply with this request, and to make that phone call. 

RACING  FROM  THE  UNITED  KINGDOM

The R.P.R.A. advise that organisations intending to liberate (racing or training) at any site  on a particular list must notify the Air Traffic Controller (ATC), giving fourteen days notice of the liberation. The convoyer should telephone the ATC thirty minutes prior to liberation. Convoers should ensure that a record is kept of the name of the ATC.

Such liberation sites that Irish organisations  might race from are:

RACEPOINT                        AERDROME                         TELEPHONE

Perth                                    Perth (Scone)                       01738-551631

Portsmouth                           Portsmouth Naval Base         02392-722351 Ext. 22008

Sennen Cove                         Penzance Heliport                 01736-364296/7

                                            Land's End (St. Just)              01736-788944

Wadebridge                           St. Mawgan                           01637-872201 Ext. 2045/6

                                             Bodmin                                 01208-821419 or 821711