The legal age of consent in Ireland is 17 years old for all genders and sexual orientations.

Core facts

  • The legal age of consent to sexual activity in the Republic of Ireland is 17.
  • This age applies to all types of sexual activity (vaginal, anal, oral) and to everyone regardless of gender or sexual orientation.
  • Sexual activity with anyone under 17 can be treated as a criminal offence (often referred to as statutory rape or sexual assault) even if the younger person appears to agree.

Close‑in‑age situations

  • Irish guidance explains that it is illegal to engage in sexual activity with anyone under 17, but there is a limited “close‑in‑age” allowance where the age gap is two years or less (for example, a 15‑year‑old and a 17‑year‑old).
  • These provisions are designed to avoid criminalising consensual relationships between peers, but the law remains complex and serious, and cases can still be prosecuted depending on circumstances.

Consent beyond age

  • Consent must always be freely given , ongoing, and can be withdrawn at any time; if someone is asleep, very intoxicated, afraid, or pressured, they cannot give valid consent.
  • Positions of trust (such as teachers or caregivers) are subject to stricter rules, and sexual activity can be illegal even where both people are over 17 if there is abuse of power or exploitation.

TL;DR: In Ireland, the legal age of consent is 17, with some tightly limited close‑in‑age protections for teenagers close in age; anything involving a person under 17 can have serious criminal consequences.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.