Islands of the Republic of Ireland Award (IRIA)
22/04/2026
About the Islands of the Republic of Ireland Award
The Islands of the Republic of Ireland Award (IRIA) is a special programme of GMFF, created to promote amateur radio activity from and with the islands of the Republic of Ireland.
The Republic of Ireland is home to a wide range of islands, from well-known inhabited islands to smaller, remote, and rarely activated offshore locations. Together, they provide a rich and rewarding challenge for radio amateurs, whether operating as activators in the field or as chasers from home.
The IRIA programme is designed to encourage portable operation from these islands in a spirit of adventure, good operating practice, safety, and respect for the environment and local access conditions. It is open to licensed radio amateurs from all countries, and we warmly invite operators everywhere to discover, activate, and chase the islands of the Republic of Ireland.
Only islands included in the official IRIA reference list are valid for the purposes of this award programme. Each qualifying island is identified by a unique IRIA reference number.
If you intend to activate an island that does not appear in the official list, please contact us before your expedition. We will review the island and, where appropriate, assign it a unique reference number and add it to the IRIA list.
General Conditions
- All awards are issued in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.
- Participation is open only to licensed amateur radio operators who are current GMFF members.
- All QSOs must be made in accordance with the terms of the operator’s licence and with the GMFF General Rules.
- Only islands included in the official IRIA list are valid for award purposes.
- Each island is defined by its unique IRIA reference as shown in the official list.
- For IRIA, all operation must take place from land on the qualifying island.
- Maritime mobile operation does not qualify for IRIA.
- The Award Manager reserves the right to request additional evidence in support of any claim, including confirmation from the activator where necessary.
- All information submitted in support of an application must be accurate and complete.
Chaser Awards – “Hunter Series”
The IRIA Hunter Series recognises radio amateurs who make confirmed contacts with stations activating qualifying islands of the Republic of Ireland.
Award Levels
- IRIA 10 – 10 different islands
- IRIA 20 – 20 different islands
- IRIA 30 – 30 different islands
- IRIA 40 – 40 different islands
- IRIA 50 – 50 different islands
- IRIA 60 – 60 different islands
- IRIA 70 – 70 different islands
- IRIA 80 – 80 different islands
- IRIA 90 – 90 different islands
- IRIA 100 – 100 different islands
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Requirements
- Each qualifying QSO must be made with a valid activation of an island listed in the official IRIA list.
- Each island counts once only for award purposes, identified by its unique IRIA reference.
- Multiple QSOs with the same island do not increase the award total.
- Contacts may be made on any authorised amateur radio band or mode, subject to the GMFF General Rules.
- Activator-to-activator contacts may count where permitted under the GMFF General Rules.
Activator Awards – “Explorer Series”
The IRIA Explorer Series is awarded to radio amateurs and club stations who activate qualifying islands of the Republic of Ireland.
Award Levels
- IRIA Explorer 10 – 10 different islands activated
- IRIA Explorer 20 – 20 different islands activated
- IRIA Explorer 30 – 30 different islands activated
- IRIA Explorer 40 – 40 different islands activated
- IRIA Explorer 50 – 50 different islands activated
- IRIA Explorer 60 – 60 different islands activated
- IRIA Explorer 70 – 70 different islands activated
- IRIA Explorer 80 – 80 different islands activated
- IRIA Explorer 90 – 90 different islands activated
- IRIA Explorer 100 – 100 different islands activated
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Activation Requirements
- Operation must take place from land on the qualifying island itself.
- Maritime mobile operation is not valid for IRIA.
- All parts of the station, including operator, equipment, power source, and antenna system, must be located on the qualifying island.
- A minimum of 50 QSOs with 50 different stations is required for an activation to qualify.
- Each island counts once only towards the Explorer award totals, identified by its unique IRIA reference.
- Repeat activations of the same island are welcome, but do not count as additional islands for Explorer award purposes.
- Activators are responsible for obtaining all necessary permissions before operating from any location.
- Possession of an amateur radio licence does not in itself grant any right of access to land or property.
- Activators must comply fully with all relevant laws, regulations, site restrictions, environmental protections, and land management requirements.
- Club stations may also qualify, provided all operation is carried out under a valid callsign and in accordance with the GMFF General Rules.
- If you plan to activate an island that is not listed in the official IRIA list, please contact us before the expedition. We will consider the island and, if accepted, assign it a unique IRIA reference number and add it to the official list.
Application Procedure
To apply for an IRIA award:
- Pay the award fee.
- Record your PayPal Transaction ID, as this must be included with your application.
- Download and complete the appropriate application form:
- Submit your completed application to info@gmff.uk.
Applicants are advised to ensure that all claims are correct before submission.
Optional engraved plaques may be available for certain award levels, subject to current availability and pricing.
Links
IRIA Official List: https://gmff.uk/irialist.ods
Activator Application Form: https://gmff.uk/iriaactivatorapplication.ods
Chaser Application Form: https://gmff.uk/iriachaserapplication.ods
GMFF General Rules: https://gmff.uk/gmff-awards-general-rules
Award Fee: https://gmff.uk/product/gmff-award-fee
GMFF Membership: https://gmff.uk/gmff-membership
Coordinate Converter: https://www.adif.uk/coord
QRA Locator Map: https://www.egloff.eu/qralocator
Geography of Ireland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Ireland
