Chinese Lanterns in Ireland: Illegal Under Litter & Aviation Laws

Sky lanterns (Chinese lanterns) are illegal in the Republic of Ireland. The ban is comprehensive: sale, supply, possession for release, and release itself are all offenses.

Legal Basis

• Litter Pollution Act 1997 (Section 22): Prohibits depositing anything likely to cause litter. Lanterns inevitably fall as litter.
• Air Navigation Order 2019 (SI 386/2019): Classifies sky lanterns as "unmanned free balloons." Release requires Irish Aviation Authority permission—never granted for recreational use.
• Animal Health & Welfare Act 2013: Lanterns cause livestock panic, ingestion, entanglement, fires—prosecutable as animal cruelty.
• Local Authority Bylaws: Many councils (Dublin, Cork, Galway, Kerry) have specific prohibitions with on-the-spot fines.

Penalties

• Litter Act: Up to €4,000 on summary conviction
• Air Navigation Order: Up to €5,000
• On-the-spot fines: €150-500 (local authority)
• Civil liability: If lantern causes fire/damage, releaser liable for full costs

Why the Ban?

Fire Risk: Open flame + dry weather + thatch/forest/farmland = disaster. Multiple Irish farm/building fires attributed to lanterns.

Wildlife & Livestock: Wire frames ingested by cattle/sheep (fatal). Birds entangled. Marine life when lanterns reach sea.

Aviation Hazard: Lanterns drift into flight paths (Dublin, Shannon, Cork airports). Radar confusion. Pilot distraction.

Litter: Non-biodegradable wire, flame-retardant chemicals, batteries (LED versions). "Biodegradable" claims misleading—wire persists.

Northern Ireland

Also illegal under Litter (Northern Ireland) Order 1994 and Air Navigation Order 2016. Councils (Belfast, Derry, etc.) enforce actively.

Alternatives for Celebration

• LED string lights, fairy lights (reusable, safe)
• Bubbles (biodegradable solution)
• Kites (daytime, no fire risk)
• Tree planting, seed bombing, charity donation in lieu
• Laser/light shows (professional)

If you see lanterns for sale in Ireland, report to local council environmental department or Gardaí. They should not be on the market.