Fast food will begin flying across west Dublin as trials for ‘drone deliveries’ come into effect across the Dublin 15 suburbs. 

Irish start-up drone delivery service Manna has confirmed it is operating one of the world's largest 'drone delivery trials' from a hub near Blanchardstown Shopping Centre. 

CEO Bobby Healy has said Manna has already delivered to around 400 homes in the first week of operations in Dublin 15, with brand partners including Boojum. 

Drone delivery company Manna began making delivering takeaways in Balbriggan, North County Dublin, last year and plans to expand further in the coming months. 

Noise pollution

Local Fingal councillor Howard Mahony said most locals have reacted positively to the new drone services. 

“I know from the feedback I've been getting, it is broadly positive,” he said. “There are a few issues around noisy drones in the early hours of the morning, but by and large, it's good. 

“People are happy around the positive environmental impact and the fact can reduce traffic and obviously combustible engines.” 

He said, however, some locals have said “a diesel engine outside your door delivering your Chinese takeaway is now easier than the drone”. 

“Now, [the drones] hover at 100 feet above and drop it down – it isn't like they land in the garden. 

“But if people are hearing them, they're hearing them, so we take them at their word.” 

Feeling 'confident and safe' about drone deliveries

Mr Healy told Tech Talk with Jess Kelly Manna is now the first company to get its European-wide licence, allowing them to fly “any number of aircrafts”.  

“Ireland is the best place in the world to launch a drone delivery programme,” he said. 

“The word 'drone' is a bad word mostly because of airports and a handful of very irresponsible users. 

“But I think it’s fair to say that any good commercial operator like Manna, we obey the rules, we have licences form the [Irish Aviation Authority] and we don’t do anything but obey those rules. 

“You’re never going to find an aircraft from Manna doing an incursion into an area it doesn’t have approval to fly into. 

“The general public should feel very confident and very safe about commercial operators.” 

The drones are roughly the size of a “large golden retriever”. 

Manna has previously partnered with a range of businesses, including Coca-Cola, Tesco and Samsung, and dozens of local businesses, delivering goods to customers.