Here's why helicopters and planes were flying low over Dublin today

There’s no need for concern – the Air Corps craft were simply preparing for the 1916 parade.

cas3 Two of the Air Corps planes spotted over Dublin today. Daragh Brophy Daragh Brophy

THE LEVEL OF airborne activity over the city centre provoked curiousity from some Dubliners today.

Planes and helicopters were spotted flying in formation in circles over the city around lunchtime…

Anyone know why there's planes and helicopters flying low over Dublin city?
— Seán Defoe (@SeanDefoe) March 22, 2016

Sean Defoe / Twitter

What's happening in Dublin today? Loads of planes and helicopters flying above the city centre.
— grammarsleuth (@Grammarsleuth) March 22, 2016

grammarsleuth / Twitter

What's going on with all the planes and helicopters flying low over Dublin city? Loads of Guards around as well
— Steve Maher (@stevemaheraudio) March 22, 2016

Steve Maher / Twitter

With the centrepiece event marking the 1916 centenary set to take place in Dublin this Sunday, some people were quick to put two and two together…

Guessing planes and helicopters of the Air Corps are buzzing over the skies of Dublin as preparation for Easter Rising ceremonies on Sunday?
— Tom Byrne (@TomByr) March 22, 2016

Tom Byrne / Twitter

But even so, in light of the Brussels attacks it put some residents on edge.

“It’s unsettling today tbh,” one Twitter user wrote.

“It definitely is…even knowing there’s no connection to Brussels, it’s still making me uneasy,” another responded.

Easter preparations

The air manoeuvres are indeed part of preparations for the Air Corps’ fly-past this weekend, the service’s Captain Seán McCarthy confirmed to us.

The main Easter Commemoration Ceremony and Parade for 2016 is taking place in Dublin on Sunday – to include the wreath-laying outside the GPO.

The craft taking part in today’s operation were the lead aircraft in different elements of Sunday’s planned fly-past, Captain McCarthy said. The service’s planes and helicopters will perform flights over the city in groups during the ceremonial parade.

The aircraft taking part today included a CASA military patrol aircraft (below), a Cessna FR172H and two Eurocopter choppers. One of these choppers will act as a camera-ship for RTÉ on Sunday.

casa Defence Forces Defence Forces

The government jet – a Learjet 45 – which is operated by the Air Corps will also take part in this weekend’s parade.

Read: Documentary claims 1916 British massacre of Dublin civilians was due to ‘unclear orders’

Read: Last surviving child of executed 1916 leader awarded Freedom of Dublin

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