Prepare before you fly
At Ireland West Airport, your safety and a smooth journey are our top priorities. Our security screening uses modern technology and professional, friendly staff to keep queues moving while meeting all aviation safety standards. Here you will find tips on how to prepare for security, what you can and can’t bring, how customs and immigration work on arrival, and the current rules for liquids in your hand luggage, so that you can travel with confidence from Ireland West Airport.
Preparing for security screening
Passengers are asked to remove all items from your pockets, place coats, jackets, hoodies, belts, boots and any metal objects into a tray when requested. Place all liquids under 100ml in a clear, transparent bag and remove these from your cabin bag for screening. Place essential liquids over 100ml, including baby products, medication, or dietary requirements, into a clear, transparent bag and present them separately at security screening. Electrical items do not need to be removed from cabin baggage.
Follow the guidance and advice provided by our security team at all times to help keep the process quick and efficient.
Prohibited items
For everyone’s safety, specific articles are not permitted past security or in the aircraft cabin. Sharp items that could be used as a weapon, flammable substances, explosive materials, and replicas, as well as specific tools, are restricted or banned from hand luggage. Some goods are also prohibited or controlled under Irish customs law, including illegal drugs, obscene material, specific animal and plant products, and protected wildlife items. These goods must not be carried or, where applicable, must be declared to a customs officer.
If in doubt about any item, pack it in your checked baggage if permitted, or contact your airline before travelling for clarification. Guidance on restricted and prohibited goods is available from Citizens Information and Revenue.
Customs and Immigration
Upon arrival in Ireland, you may encounter immigration checks, depending on your nationality and route, followed by customs channels for goods control. Citizens of the EU, EEA, Switzerland and the UK have specific entry arrangements and typically use the appropriate channels on arrival. At the same time, non-EU/EEA/Swiss/UK nationals may be required to present a valid passport and, if applicable, a visa. The Common Travel Area arrangements between Ireland and the UK also provide particular guidance for travellers on those routes.
Selective customs checks help prevent the smuggling of restricted goods. If you are carrying items that must be declared, please speak with a customs officer. For official information on entry requirements and customs controls, consult Ireland’s Immigration Service Delivery and Revenue.
Liquid restrictions
Liquid, aerosol and gel (LAG) rules are set at the European level and may change as enhanced screening technology is introduced across the EU. In line with EU requirements introduced on September 1, 2024, Irish airports, including Ireland West, re-applied temporary liquid limits for cabin baggage. Under these rules, containers must be 100ml or less, carried in a single clear resealable plastic bag of up to one litre, and presented separately at security when requested.
Please always check our most up-to-date airport notice before travelling, as regulations can be updated. Please note that rules at your departure or return airport abroad may vary based on local screening systems.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can i bring medication with me in my carry on luggage?
Yes, passengers are allowed to bring essential medication and dietary requirements in liquid form of more than 100ml. We recommend you bring any medication you may need for your trip in your hand luggage in a clear resealable bag, which is available at the airport. They should be labelled with a prescription or doctor’s letter, which may be required to certify that it is an essential item. Additional screening may be necessary, so please present the items to the Security Officer in advance and ask for their guidance.
Can I bring liquids over 100ml in my carry on luggage?
As of the 1st of September 2024, passengers are not permitted to carry liquids, aerosols and gels in containers greater than 100ml in their cabin baggage. All liquids, aerosols and gels must be stored in containers of 100ml or less, placed in a clear, transparent bag, and taken out of your cabin baggage. Electronics items, such as laptops and phones, do not need to be removed from your cabin baggage. If you are travelling with ‘checked baggage’, you can bring liquids and gels greater than 100ml and place them in your checked luggage.
I thought there were no liquid restrictions at Ireland West Airport following the introduction of new security scanners?
Ireland West Airport installed new C3 security scanners in 2023. These new scanners eliminated the need to remove any liquids from your cabin baggage and removed the need for any liquid restrictions at the airport. On the 31st of July 2024, the European Commission announced a temporary limitation on liquids at all airports in the EU. As of the 1st of September 2024, passengers are not permitted to carry liquids, aerosols and gels in containers greater than 100ml in their cabin baggage. All liquids, aerosols and gels must be stored in containers of 100ml or less, placed in a clear, transparent bag, and taken out of your cabin baggage. Electronics items, such as laptops and phones, do not need to be removed from your cabin baggage. If you are travelling with ‘checked baggage’, you can bring liquids and gels greater than 100ml and place them in your checked baggage.
What’s the best advice to get me through security screening as smoothly as possible?
Prepare in advance of your trip and store all liquids, aerosols and gels in containers of no more than 100ml each. Please place them in a clear, transparent bag and remove them from your cabin baggage before going through security. Please note that there is no restriction on how many 100ml containers you can bring through security.
What items are classified as liquids?
Some things are evidently liquid, like drinks and perfume. Others are less obvious, like gels, pastes, lotions, mixtures of liquids and solids and the contents of aerosols. Some examples of these include toothpaste, hair gel, face cream, liquid cosmetics, lip gloss, deodorant, perfume, and shaving foam.
Can I bring bottled water through security?
No, water that is in a container over 100ml is not permitted through security from the 1st of September 2024.
Can I take my contact lens solution in my carry on luggage?
Yes, provided these items are in containers that do not exceed 100 ml.
What about passengers that need medicines, dietary foods or baby food in liquid form?
There are notable exceptions to the EU regulation on liquid restrictions. These include essential medicines and dietary requirements in liquid form, such as baby food or food for individuals on special diets. Passengers are allowed to bring these items to the screening points in the quantities they need during their trip. However, please note that these items must be placed in a clear, transparent bag, separate from liquids, aerosols, and gels (LAGs).
Can I still buy liquids, cosmetics or other substances covered by the regulations in the airport shop after security screening point and take on board the aircraft?
You can still buy liquids and other substances covered by the regulations, in containers of any size, after the security screening point and on board European airline flights.
Can I bring baby food/milk in my carry on luggage through security?
Yes, baby food and food for individuals with special diets are exempt from the new regulations. Passengers are allowed to bring these items through the screening points in the quantities needed during their trip. Please keep in mind that these items must be stored in a clear, transparent bag, separate from your other 100ml liquids, aerosols, and gels, and removed from your cabin baggage.
What do I need to do if I have an Insulin pump, stoma, pacemaker or prosthetic?
Insulin, Insulin pumps, EpiPens, hypodermic needles and medicines must be supported by a medical certification letter, as must children’s medicine. Please check with your airline if you have special requirements before travelling, but be assured that if you have a genuine medical condition (supported by a letter from your GP or hospital), there should be no problem taking such items on board the plane. Please present these items, along with the medical certificate, to a security agent before screening. You may carry medicines that need to be kept cold in a cool bag and include one ice pack in the bag, as long as your doctor’s letter states that the medication needs to be kept cool. If you have any medical devices, please inform the security officer before screening. Our body scanners are safe for passengers, including those with medical implants, pacemakers, insulin pumps, stomas or prostheses. Our body scanners do not use X-rays; instead, they operate using microwaves, which are safe and non-invasive. If you have any medical devices, they will appear on our scanners and will be subject to further screening. This is the standard procedure with the new scanners. In some cases, we may conduct hand searches. Please let our security officer know if you require them to be aware of any potential pain (e.g., surgery) or medical equipment so that extra care can be taken. If you feel uncomfortable being searched in public, please request a private search, which will be conducted in a separate private area. If you have a wheelchair or other medical equipment, it will be subject to X-ray, hand search, ETD, or swabbing by security staff. This is standard procedure.
Will I be stopped by customs when I arrive into Ireland West Airport?
Customs may conduct selective checks on arrivals to enforce prohibitions and restrictions and collect duties where applicable. If you are carrying goods that require a declaration, please speak to an officer in the red channel and have your receipts and documents ready.