Riding in Ireland

Insurance

» You no longer need a green card from your insurance company.

Speed limits

» In the Republic of Ireland, speed limits are in km/h, and are 30 outside schools, 50 in towns and cities and towns, 80 on B-roads, 100 on A-roads and 120 on motorways. There are 45 mobile cameras in white vans with blue and yellow stripes at 600 locations in Ireland, but I’ve never seen one in action, and again, they’re rear-facing. Details at irishspeedtraps.com.

On the M50, Dublin’s equivalent of the M25, there are automated toll cameras, but they’re rear-facing too. Bikes rule, or what? Road conditions

» You’ll be stunned by how empty the roads are, and they’re generally in excellent condition, although on rural B-roads, go around corners expecting to find a sheep, a tractor, or two farmers having a natter.

Getting there by ferry…

» Ferries run from Stranraer, Liverpool, Holyhead and Fishguard, to Belfast, Dublin and Rosslaire, though the Liverpool – Belfast route is a challenging eight hours while Stranraer Belfast is only two and can cost a bit over £100 for a bike and rider, return (which is a lot better value than the Steam Packet to the Isle of Man).

The best route depends on where you are leaving from and where you want to end up when you get there.