Fireworks
A valid fireworks licence is needed to buy, possess and use certain types of fireworks. Find out how to apply for a licence, a list of registered firework retailers, and information about firework safety and the law. Always handle fireworks safely - follow the Firework Code.
The firework safety code
If you are thinking of using fireworks as part of a celebration, you should follow these safety steps:
- only buy fireworks marked with a CE mark – this shows that the firework meets European safety standards which all fireworks must meet - a reputable shop will know this
- don’t drink alcohol if you’re setting off fireworks
- store fireworks in a closed, metal box and take out one at a time
- keep a bucket of water nearby
- follow the instructions on each firework – read by torchlight, don't use a naked flame
- light fireworks at arm’s length, using the taper provided
- make sure everyone stands well back
- don't go back to a firework that is lit - even if it hasn’t gone off it could still explode
- don't put fireworks in your pocket
- don't throw fireworks
- always supervise children around fireworks, don't give sparklers to a child under five
- light sparklers one at a time and wear gloves
- keep pets indoors
- don’t set off fireworks late at night
- take care around open flames such as bonfires and barbecues - all clothes, even those labelled ‘low flammability’, can catch fire
Apply for a fireworks licence
If you want to buy, possess and use fireworks (except indoor fireworks and sparklers), in Northern Ireland you must have a valid fireworks licence.
The closing date for all applications for Halloween firework displays is 18 October 2024.
Garden fireworks
If you plan to use garden fireworks, download this form, complete it and send it to the address on the form.
Display type fireworks
If you plan to use display type fireworks, download this form, complete it and send it to the address on the form.
Fireworks advice
Fireworks can cause fear and distress especially amongst older people and more vulnerable members of the community.
You are also reminded of the traumatic effects that fireworks can have on pets and farm animals.
Low noise fireworks may be available to buy from your local registered retailer.
Fireworks guidance
- you must not possess, buy or use fireworks (except indoor fireworks and sparklers) unless you have a fireworks licence issued by the Department of Justice for Northern Ireland
- you must show your licence to the retailer when you buy your fireworks
- all sparkler packets must display the following words: “Warning: not to be given to children under five years of age”
- the fireworks packaging must be written in English
- fireworks must not be thrown or let off in a street or public place (other than a properly licensed public display)
- Category F1 (indoor) fireworks must not be sold to children under 16 years of age
- Category F2 (garden) and Category F3 (display) fireworks must not be sold to people under 18 years of age
- it is illegal for fireworks to be sold from premises not licensed/registered by the Department of Justice (retailers are required to display their certificates of registration at the point of sale)
- it is illegal to sell fireworks at markets and car boot sales, and from vans, including ice-cream vans
- you should never buy or use fireworks which do not have the European standard CE marking printed on the box
- the general public must not buy or use Category F4 (professional use only) fireworks
Illegal types of fireworks
- aerial wheels
- bangers
- double bangers
- flash bangers
- batteries and combinations containing bangers, double bangers or flash bangers
- jumping crackers
- jumping ground spinners
- spinners
- mini rockets and shot tubes whose principal effect is a bang or whose internal diameter is greater than 30 millimetres
Fireworks must not be sold on a street or in a public place. A public place is anywhere the public are entitled or permitted access, including parks, school playgrounds and bus stations. To be on the safe side, think of a public place as anywhere other than your own garden.
You can find guidance about fireworks safety from the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service (NIFRS) and on nidirect at the following links.
Fireworks and the law
Fireworks offences carry a maximum fine of £5,000 or a three-month prison sentence, or both. You can find out more about fireworks and the law at the following links:
Firework retailers
The following are registered firework retailers in Northern Ireland.
Co Antrim
Name | Business name | Address |
---|---|---|
Lucinda Cadman | Discount Fireworks |
468-476 Shore Road |
Gillian Naylor | N/A |
9 Chapel Lane Belfast BT1 1HH |
Ronald Crooks | Arrow Amusements | Unit 13 Agnes Street Industrial Park Belfast BT13 1GB |
James Elliott | Elliott's H.S. Limited | 110-112 Ann Street Belfast BT1 3HH |
Hugh Gilmore | Temple Garden and Farm Shop | 88H Carryduff Road Lisburn BT27 9YL |
Robert Glover | N/A | 315-319 Shankill Road Belfast BT13 1FX 293 Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 1AG 301-303 Newtownards Road Belfast BT4 1AG |
Caroline McCullough | The Chocolate Shop | 175 Shankill Road Belfast BT13 1FP |
Arshad Rasool | Woodbourne Centra | Suffolk Road Belfast BT11 9PG |
N/A | Simpson's | 30 Fountain Street Antrim BT41 4BB |
Jim Taggart | Bigtime Fireworks Limited | 196-206 Cambrai Street Belfast BT14 8JR |
Justin Lowry | On the Square |
17 Heron Road Belfast BT3 9LE |
Co Armagh
Name | Business name | Address |
---|---|---|
Cyril McArdle | D&R Fireworks | 9 Mullanary Road Armagh BT60 4HW |
Vincent McCooey | N/A | Unit 29, Tullygoonigan Industrial Estate 89 Moy Road Armagh BT61 8DR |
N/A | XSRE.ME Limited | 9A High Street Lurgan BT66 8AA |
Co Down
Name | Business name | Address |
---|---|---|
Linda Mackin | Fireworks Specialist |
272 Dublin Road Newry BT35 8RL |
Gavin Carvill | Top Spot NI |
2a Frances Street Newtownards BT23 4JA |
Sarah Kenright | N/A |
31 St Mary Street Newry BT34 2AA |
Bernard O’Hare |
N/A |
76 Camlough Road |
Darren Mackin | N/A | 56a Forkhill Road Newry BT35 8QX |
Laura McKenna | I Catcher | Unit 4 The Jade Centre Newry BT35 8JB |
Sean McKevitt | Fireworks Factory | 7 Jacks Road Newry BT34 8RL |
Lakeland Camlough Ltd | N/A | 14 Old Rad Newry BT35 7JW 112 Dublin Road Newry BT35 8QP |
Seamus McNamee | NISA Local | 67A The Village Jonesborough Newry BT35 8HR |
Siobhan Rice | N/A | 74 Hill Street Newry BT34 1BE |
Donna Marie Rush | Big Boom Fireworks |
Unit 5 Jade Business Park |
Frances Watters | N/A | 169 Concession Road Newry BT35 9JE |
Kieran Watters | N/A |
67 Concession Road Cullaville, Crossmaglen Newry BT35 9AN |
Sean Willoughby | N/A | 63 Ballybannon Road Castlewellan Newcastle BT31 9ER |
Co Fermanagh
Name | Business name | Address |
---|---|---|
Jim Barnett | N/A | 4 Mill Street Irvinestown BT94 1GR |
Robert Coulter | N/A | 88 Littlemount Road Rathkeeland Enniskillen BT94 4RS |
Mary Curran | N/A |
253 Old Coach Road Derrylea Kinawley Co Fermanagh BT92 4HL |
Margaret Lynch | Belleek Variety Store |
39 Main Street Enniskillen |
Gary McElhill | N/A | Terravalley Glebe Enniskillen BT92 3EP |
Paul O'Brien | N/A |
203 Cavan Road Newtownbutler Enniskillen BT92 8FB |
Co Londonderry
Name | Business name | Address |
---|---|---|
Cahir Duffy | Rod & Line | 1 Clarendon Street Derry City BT48 7ED |
Michael Howard | Triangle Fireworks | 11A Ballyshane Road Coleraine BT52 2ML |
Andrew Nesbitt | The Blue Shop | 335 Clooney Road Ballykelly Limavady BT49 9PL |
Seamus O'Reilly | N/A | 44 Tamlaghtduff Road Magherafelt BT45 8JQ |
William Montgomery | Montgomery Nurseries |
15 Kilrea Road Maghera BT46 5HX |
Co Tyrone
Name | Business name | Address |
---|---|---|
Stephen Donnelly | Top Tools Ireland Limited | 8 Kiln Street Omagh BT78 2BJ |
Thomas Hagan |
Killsally Fireworks |
127A Ballymaguire Road Stewartstown Dungannon Co Tyrone BT71 5NJ |
Trevor Irwin | Floral Mist | 66 Ballymaguire Road Cookstown BT71 5NQ |
Fran McGir | N/A |
75 Carnalea Road Fintona Omagh BT78 2JD |
Gary McKenna | N/A | 81 Moore Street Aughnacloy BT69 6AR |
Mervyn Taylor | Gardenfresh | 30-32 Beltany Road Omagh BT78 5NA |
Andrew Trotter | SA Trotter Ltd | 66 Scotch Street Dungannon BT70 1BJ |
Fireworks helpline
If you have any further questions about the use of fireworks or how to get a licence, you can contact the Fireworks helpline:
- telephone: 0300 200 7881 (Northern Ireland only)