DELIVEROO has started trialling drones for food delivery for the first time in Dublin.
Foodies in a 3km radius of Blanchardstown will be able to order from selected restaurants including Musashi, WOWBurger, Boojum and Elephant & Castle.
![UNDER EMBARGO UNTIL 00:01 THURSDAY 5TH JUNE
DELIVEROO LAUNCHES DRONE DELIVERIES IN DUBLIN, TAKING THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCE TO NEW HEIGHTS
Deliveroo takes on-demand delivery to new heights as it launches drone deliveries in Dublin, powered by Manna, an established global drone delivery operator.
An initial test phase is being used to assess whether drones can help unlock new customers, particularly in suburban locations, with the ability to bypass road traffic and cover longer distances in a short space of time.
The service will initially cover a 3km radius in the Dublin 15 neighbourhoods, with leading local restaurants, flown to customers in as little as three minutes.
New imagery and video shows a Deliveroo branded drone in flight making one of the first deliveries, a meal of sushi from Musashi.
5th June 2025 [Dublin]: Deliveroo, the on-demand delivery platform, has today launched drone deliveries in Dublin, Ireland.
Through a new partnership with Manna, an established global drone delivery operator, the service is designed to support Deliveroos continuous mission to improve the customer experience.
The innovative service is based in Blanchardstown, Dublin 15, with Deliveroo conducting a test phase over the coming weeks. Deliveroo will use the initial weeks to assess how drones can help serve suburban and harder to reach locations, with the ultimate aim of unlocking new customers through super-fast deliveries, complementing its extensive rider network.
Over the coming days, customers in a 3km radius of Blanchardstown will be able to order from leading local restaurants including Musashi, WOWBurger, Boojum and Elephant & Castle - flown to customers in as little as three minutes*. Deliveroo is aiming to expand the service to more restaurants and launch grocery and retail deliveries within the next six months.
In new imagery and a video released by Deliveroo today, a teal drone is seen making one of the first deliveries to a customer, with sushi from Musashi in tow. Whether its sushi for lunch, a Friday treat or a family gathering, the ambition is for Deliveroos drones to ensure orders arrive at peak freshness.
By bypassing road traffic, drone deliveries can significantly cut wait times and reduce emissions, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative to traditional delivery methods, particularly suited to suburban locations where Deliveroo is looking to increase its presence. The objective is also for Deliveroo drone deliveries to support participating merchants in growing their sales by appealing to and reaching new customers, complementing Deliveroos existing delivery network.
Drones will be deployed from Mannas local delivery hub, flying at speeds of up to 80 km/h with a flight time of as little as three minutes. Upon arrival, the drone hovers and gently lowers the food to the ground via a secure, biodegradable tether, ensuring a seamless and contact-free delivery experience.
Deliveroo is excited by the prospect of expanding the service to its other markets, subject to the benefits to consumer experience, following the launch in Ireland, alongside regulatory evolution in other markets. The company welcomes the UK Government's £20 million investment to advance commercial drone operations and bring this technology closer to reality for UK consumers.
Carlo Mocci, Chief Business Officer at Deliveroo said: Our mission is to bring local neighbourhood favourites to as many peoples doors as possible, and constantly raise the bar on the experience and service we provide - so Im thrilled to launch drone deliveries in Dublin today.
Were excited to explore how drones can help us reach new customers, complementing our existing rider model and if successful, the prospect of expanding drone deliveries across Ireland and into other markets.
Bobby Healy, CEO and Founder of Manna Air Delivery said: Air delivery is fast, clean, and safe, offering a new avenue for local businesses to reach more consumers. Manna Air Delivery is proud to partner with Deliveroo, a platform trusted by top local restaurants and eateries, to bring this innovative delivery experience to customers."
Bill Lang, owner of Musashi said: We have been serving up authentic sushi for years but never thought we'd see it in the sky, delivered to peoples doorsteps by drone. Musashi is delighted to extend our partnership with Deliveroo to drone deliveries, helping us to reach even more customers in the Blanchardstown area."
Manna, which has already completed over 170,000 delivery flights in the Dublin 15 and holds full regulatory approvals, will operate the drones. Each drone is equipped with advanced safety features, including backup systems and a parachute, and is continuously monitored by a dedicated dispatcher throughout its flight.
Eligible customers within the correct radius will need to validate their address via the app before it confirms a suitable pin location for a safe drop off, typically a driveway, front or back garden. Once an order is placed, they will be able to track the delivery as usual and will be notified when the drone is nearby so they can receive the order.](https://www.thesun.ie/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2025/06/msemail_Deliveroo_x_Manna_1jpg-JS1000383843.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
An initial test phase is being used to assess whether drones can help unlock new customers, particularly in suburban locations.
By bypassing road traffic, drone deliveries can significantly cut wait times and reduce emissions, offering a faster and more sustainable alternative to traditional delivery methods.
CEO and Founder of Manna Air Delivery, Bobby Healy, said: “Air delivery is fast, clean, and safe, offering a new avenue for local businesses to reach more consumers.
“Manna Air Delivery is proud to partner with Deliveroo, a platform trusted by top local restaurants and eateries, to bring this innovative delivery experience to customers.”
Owner of Musashi, Bill Lang, said: “We have been serving up authentic sushi for years but never thought we’d see it in the sky, delivered to peoples doorsteps by drone.
“Musashi is delighted to extend our partnership with Deliveroo to drone deliveries, helping us to reach even more customers in the Blanchardstown area.”
Green Party Leader, Roderic O’Gorman, called on the Oireachtas Transport Committee to urgently hold a hearing on commercial drone use.
He made the call following the announcement of the deal between Manna and Deliveroo that will see increased drone use in Dublin 15.
O’Gorman said: “Dublin 15 and other parts of the city are seeing a rapidly increasing number of drone delivery flights, and this will only increase with the new deal between Manna and Deliveroo.
“Absolutely, there are benefits to the commercial use of drones, but there has been no discussion of the balance of rights between the companies using them, and residents who are impacted by the disturbance they create, particularly noise.”
Spokesperson for Transport for the Green Party, Cllr Feljin Jose, shared concerns over plans to expand the service to Glasnevin and the wider area in the coming months.
He said: “This rapid expansion of drone food deliveries coupled with the current planning regulation vacuum is a recipe for disaster.
“There are plans to expand them to Glasnevin and the wider area in the coming months which prompted a discussion at Dublin City Council’s Mobility and Public Realm Strategic Policy Committee last month.
“I’ve asked the chair of the committee to write to the Minister asking him to urgently publish regulations around this but we need to hit pause on this until that’s in place.”
URGENT SESSION
O’Gorman continued: “I have written to the Chairperson of the of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport, which I sit on, requesting that the Committee holds an urgent session on the use of commercial drones for delivery.
“I believe that the Irish Aviation Authority, Manna, Deliveroo and officials from the Department of Transport all need to provide their input to this hearing.”
O’Gorman called on the Minister for Transport to “urgently publish” the National Policy Framework for Drone Use.
He added: “When I raised the issue of drone use in the Dail in February, the Minister said that this Policy was near completion.
“It needs to be finished and published urgently, and should cover key issues like noise pollution, safety concerns, planning issues and privacy rules, regarding the use of commercial drones.”
The chair of the committee, Janet Horner highlighted there was a “grey area” over the regulation of commercial drone operations in terms of planning.
She said: “I think it is unrealistic and unfair to expect people to put up with that within their homes.”
The committee will call on the Irish Aviation Authority to discuss the issue further.
