Fireworks - The Department of Justice

Fireworks, because they are explosives, are regulated under national and EU legislation and can only be imported into the country under licence and stored and sold in accordance with the explosives law. Fireworks are categorised into four categories, depending on their hazard and whether they require specialist knowledge to use them. The least hazardous is Category 1 and the most hazardous is Category 4.

Since 4 July 2010 Category 1 fireworks (very low hazard) are on sale to the general public while all other categories are only available for use in organised displays by professional operators. An importation licence is required in the first instance. For more information please see:

Fireworks Information Notice

Fireworks are not only dangerous, there are severe criminal penalties that apply. Read our Fireworks Information Notice.

Guidance Documents

General Guidance Notes - Explosive Legislation (Last revision 1 May 2020, PDF - 928KB)

General Guidance on Fireworks in Ireland - Public Information Leaflet - Revised 22 August 2017 (PDF - 294KB)

Guidance on Legal Obligations for Importers, Distributors and Retailers of Fireworks for sale - Revised 22 August 2017 (PDF - 143KB)

Guidance Document on Organised Pyrotechnic Displays (PDF - 606KB)

Guidance Document for Storage of Pyrotechnic Articles in Retail and Distribution Centres - Revised 22 August 2017 (PDF - 106KB)

Application forms for the Import of Fireworks

Retail Application form for the Importation of Category 1 Fireworks (Last revision 01 May 2020, MS WORD 22KB)

Application Form for a Licence to Import Display Pyrotechnics (MS WORD 33KB)

EU Legislation

Directive 2013/29/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 June 2013 on the harmonisation of the laws of the Member States relating to the making available on the market of pyrotechnic articles (recast) (PDF 1.1MB)