Environmental noise is "unwanted sound" arising from all areas of human activity, such as noise from transport, industrial, and recreational activities. Excessive noise can:

• seriously harm human health, including mental health.
• interfere with people’s daily activities at school, at work, at home, and during leisure time.
• disrupt sleep, cause cardiovascular and psychophysiological effects.
• lower performance, lead to annoyance responses, and changes in social behaviour.

In Ireland, general noise complaints typically fall under four main categories:

• entertainment.
• domestic/neighbourhood noise.
• industrial/commercial activities.
• transport-related noise.

You can find information on the EPA website, including the Noise and Health factsheet and the Noise and Your Health page.

There is also relevant information in the State of the Environment Report, Chapter 3: Environmental Noise.

There are options available if you are affected by noise nuisance. The procedures below apply to common neighbourhood noise issues, such as persistent noise from nearby homes, workshops, or local businesses.

When can I take action?

You can take action if noise is so loud, continuous, frequent, or occurs at times or pitches that reasonably cause annoyance.

What action can I take?

You should first try to resolve the issue informally by speaking with the person or business causing the noise. If this fails, you can:

• Contact your local authority about neighbourhood noise issues.
• Complaints about privately rented accommodation should be raised with the landlord, and with the city or county council in the case of local authority housing. 
• Contact the EPA for complaints relating to EPA-licensed activities or traffic- related noise from major infrastructure.
• The Environmental Protection Agency Act 1992 (Noise) Regulations 1994 (S.I. No. 179 of 1994) provide a straightforward way for individuals or groups to seek redress through the Courts. 
• In some specific cases, make a formal section 108 complaint to the District Court seeking an order to address the nuisance. Application forms are available from the District Court office. 

Initially, it may be sufficient to explain to the dog owner causing the noise that it's a nuisance and come to some mutually acceptable understanding and a solution. 

However, persistent problems arising from barking dogs are covered under the Control of Dogs Acts 1986 & 1992.  A copy of the form used for complaints to the courts about noise from dogs is available from your local authority (city or council). 

Any event, such as a concert or festival, would normally require planning permission. However, in some cases, a particular venue may have prior approval to stage a set number of concerts/events per annum.  The appropriate local authority (city or county council) should be contacted in relation to any noise complaints for these planned events.

A small proportion of people are disturbed by low frequency sound, which is typically described as something like a low rumble. For those people who are affected, they can be severely distressed. Sometimes the complaint can be traced to a sound source, typically an industrial site, or an adjoining property. If the source can be found, then there is a chance the noise can be controlled.

In the first instance, you should contact your local authority. The Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment (DCEE) provide contact details for all local authorities on the gov.ie website. The local authority can advise whether a road traffic noise complaint falls within their responsibility.

If the issue relates to a national road or motorway, Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), which manages this network, may be able to advise on any planned works or noise monitoring data. Contact details and noise maps are available on the TII website. 

TII is also responsible for preparing strategic noise maps for major national roads carrying more than 3 million vehicles per year and for light rail lines (Luas). 

Road traffic noise complaints are mainly handled by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) and local authorities. TII manages motorways and national roads, while local authorities are responsible for regional, public, and local roads. Each has different roles under the Environmental Noise Regulations. 

When you contact your local authority, they will record the complaint and decide whether it should be addressed by the local authority, TII, or both. In some cases, environmental sections handle these noise complaints, while roads sections might also be involved in dealing with traffic-related noise issues. 

If a noise problem area is identified as a Priority Important Area (PIA) in the local authority Noise Action Plan, the relevant local authority would be responsible for addressing it. Noise Action Plans should be available on the local authority website.  Local authorities are legally obliged to develop cost-effective noise reduction measures and may work with other bodies, such as TII, where necessary on more complex issues around mitigation of environmental noise.