Road signs in Ireland do not differ greatly from those used elsewhere in Europe – with the notable exception that hazard orwarning signs follow the 'MUTCD' style of a yellow diamond shape. The symbols used on these warning signs do, nevertheless, resemble much more closely those used (on red-bordered white or yellow triangles) in the rest of Europe than many of those seen in the United States.
Regulatory signs differ very little from those used in the rest of Europe, the main exception being that red-bordered white signs indicate a restriction as opposed to a prohibition, which is instead indicated with an additional red diagonal line across the sign.
The system of directional signs is based upon, and is very similar to, that employed in theUnited Kingdom, but is bilingual everywhere except in theGaeltacht, where only the Irish language is used on signs.
Only regulatory signs and certain road markings are prescribed in law under theRoad Traffic (Signs) Regulations, 2024.[1] All other signs are not legally prescribed, but are instead defined in theTraffic Signs Manual (TSM) issued by theDepartment of Transport. Regulatory signs and road markings are also defined in theTSM, but the regulations for them take precedence—theTSM simply provides guidance regarding the design and installation of signs and is not by itself a law.
The most recent edition of theTSM was published in 2019 (along with some chapters updated in 2021 and 2024).[2] This succeeded two earlier editions—Traffic Signs Manual 2010[3] andTraffic Signs Manual 1996.[4] It bears much similarity to the United KingdomTraffic Signs Manual.
Early bilingualA.A. fingerpost sign19th-century directional sign inLismore, County Waterford; it gives distances in miles,furlongs andperches.A mixture of pre- and post-1977 fingerpost signs Advance directional sign used pre-1977. This sign has since been removed.
The former 'fingerpost' style of Irish directional signs can still be seen in many rural areas of Ireland. These signs differ from their modern-day equivalent as they have black raised text on a white background. Destinations are in all caps (the placename in Irish was on top and in a smaller font than the one in English). Sometimes, the former route number ("T" for trunk road, "L" for link road) can be seen, and the formerBord Fáilte logo can be seen on some (they had responsibility for signs for a time), as well as occasionally a harp. Distances on these signs are in miles.
This style of sign has become a common feature of many tourist images of Ireland and can be seen in some Irish pubs. However, they can be easily rotated, and have been done so on occasion and therefore are not completely reliable. While most examples of these signs stillin situ are rural finger-posts, the advance directional sign of this era can still very occasionally be seen: this has a grey background, with the destinations in outlined, white-background boxes linked together with black lines, and the text is not raised on these, unlike on fingerposts. These signs, rare even when the system was in use, can be seen in some areas ofDún Laoghaire andDrogheda. These signs were prescribed under various regulations, with the final design prescribed under theRoad Traffic Signs (Regulations) 1962.[5]
Despite the new sign style being introduced in 1977, the design change was never legislated for (apart from a reference to the change to italics in 1989) and the old designs were repealed only under the 1997 regulations, 20 years later.[6]
The first generation of the current sign system, introduced in 1977,[7] can also be seen in on some national roads (and also on the oldest stretch of theM1). This is similar to the current system, but the signs are simpler, a different shade of green is used, and the Irish place names are not in italics. These signs were directly based on theWorboys Committee designs which had been adopted in the UK in 1965. These signs were replaced by the current system on 1 January 1989.[8] The design of signs has continued to evolve with the introduction of patching under theGuildford Rules in 1994 and the introduction ofcantilever directional signs in 2005, as well as the expansion in gantry signs since then.
The original design (1983–1989) of Irish motorway signs were a simpler version of the UK design.[9] These signs were only ever in use on the M7 Naas Bypass and M1 Airport Motorway.
From 1989 to 2005, signs on motorways were nearly identical to that on UK motorways,[note 1] although in Ireland, motorway junctions were not always numbered, or the number was not always signposted. The sign at the actual exit, which in the UK shows the road number to be reached, was replaced by a flag sign with the destination instead. On theM50, in the case of junctions with national routes, the initial advance direction sign was replaced with a list of destinations for that national route. The 1989 design of signs can still be seen on older sections of the M4 and M7.
In 2005, upon the opening of the South Eastern Motorway section of the M50, theNational Roads Authority erected new style gantry signs. The new signs retained typical colours and fonts but differed from older style of road signs in that they used separate overhead panels for each lane, headed with the route number in each case as well as new half-gantry signs closer to the exit. The new signs were also erected on theN2Finglas–Ashbourne scheme andN7Clondalkin–Naas scheme. These were the first roads in Ireland where overhead gantry signs have been used as a matter of course, instead of just very major junctions. Drivers are given clear advanced warning 1 km ahead of an upcoming junction. A half gantry at the junction then directed them to their destination. The new style signs are visually clearer than older type signs with drivers able to read the gantry signs from a distance of approximately 300 m on a straight stretch of road. Despite their significant advantages, the new gantry signs caused confusion because the downward arrows over the left traffic lanes seemed to indicate to drivers that they should pull out into the right lane if they wish to continue on the motorway or dual carriageway, breaking the keep left rule.
In July 2007, some of the gantry signs on the M50 between Junctions 13–17 erected in 2005 were replaced with signs in a revised style, reverting to a single panel over the mainline. By March 2008 all the 2005 style gantries had been removed from the M50 (and were later removed from the N2 and N7). The one aspect of the 2005 scheme that was retained is the half-gantry (or cantilever) sign just before the exit, which has now also been extended to other roads. A second change introduced in 2007 is that the flag sign at the gore, which previously listed the primary destinations to be reached, now features the junction number and the word "Exit" instead. This revised scheme has been used on most motorway and high-quality dual carriageway schemes since 2007. The "Next Exit" signs listing destinations, which were originally used only on the M50, are now extended to other motorways.
2005-style vs. modern style gantry sign for junction 4 on theN7
Old yield sign inCuldaff,InishowenSome rare speed limits are still in mph after 2005. They now read m.p.h. to distinguish them from the metric standard.
Until 1997, allmandatory signs were circular in shape and featured black symbols on a white background with a red border. A unique example was the "keep left" sign, which used a curved arrow pointing upwards. Since the introduction of the 1997 regulations, their design is identical to those used in the United Kingdom, with white symbols on a blue background.
Ireland's "Yield" sign formerly read "Yield Right of Way" from 1961 until 1997, and many of this older variant can still be seen around the State. Prior to 1961, it did not feature any inscription.[10]
On 20 January 2005, imperial speed limits on signs were replaced with metric speed limits. Around 35,000 existing signs were modified or replaced and a further 23,000 new signs were erected bearing the speed limit in kilometres per hour. To avoid confusion with the old signs, all speed limit signs include the symbol "km/h" beneath the numerals.[11] Distances, such as those shown on route confirmatory signs, had already been displayed in kilometres since the 1970s. Due to the two speed limits possible on non-urban roads after 2005 metrication, the "end of speed limit" signs in Ireland (a white circle with black diagonal line as used in the UK) is no longer used – the end of an urban speed restriction is signalled by the sign displaying the limit for the following section.
In October 2022, a nine-month longpilot scheme was undertaken by the NRA to introduce new signs that would replaceBelisha beacons on newly installedpedestrian crossings. This scheme saw the introduction of a new blue square-shaped pedestrian crossing sign (featuring a fluorescent yellow background),[12] like those already used incontinental Europe. Following the conclusion of the study, the sign was officially adopted in March 2024, though beacons are still permitted to be installed.
The first warning signs accorded to a standard laid out in the 1926Road Signs and Traffic Signals Regulations.[13] These signs, unlikely to existin situ anywhere in Ireland nowadays, were similar tosigns used in the United Kingdom at that time. The signs were cast-iron plates, with raised type painted red on white. A square pictogram illustrated the hazard, and the type of hazard was written in both Irish, withtraditional typeface, and English. A hollow red triangle normally surmounted the pole to which the sign was attached.
Yellow diamond-shaped warning signs made their first appearance following the adoption of the 1956Traffic Signs Regulations.[14] The shape and colour of these signs—as well as many of the symbols—were chosen to conform to recommendations by theUnited Nations,[15] based on an eventually unrealised draft convention for international uniformity of road signs which had been in development beforehand.[16]
TheTransport andMotorway typefaces are used on Irish road signs. Although it was designed uniquely for dark text on light backgrounds, the Transport Heavy weight is used for all signs in Ireland. A distinctiveoblique variant of Transport Heavy is used for Irish text, in which letters are inclined at 15 degrees. The letter "a" is represented byscript a ("ɑ"), and the letter "i" was represented bydotless i ("ı") in order to better differentiate them from their accented forms; however, the normal letter "i" is now always used. Additionally, the capitals "A", "M" and "N" are similar in appearance to lowercase "a", "m" and "n".
The Irish text is placed above the corresponding English and is always in mixed case. All English text is in upper case Roman alphabet.
Motorway signs use white text on a blue background. National routes (both primary and secondary) use white text on a green background, with the specific route number in yellow text. Regional and local county roads use black text on white background. Signs to points of interest (services, institutions, tourist sights) have white text on a brown background. The use of legend panels (coloured backgrounds for destinations and route numbers) and patches (coloured background containing a route number enclosed in brackets), derived from theGuildford Rules, is used to show roads of different classification on signs.
Stack Type Advance Direction Signs — destinations are signposted in advance ofat-grade roads, such as T junctions and staggered crossroads, where the destinations are placed on separate panels.
Map Type Advance Direction Signs — destinations are signposted in advance ofgrade separated interchanges androundabouts, where the junction is displayed as a pictogram. These are sometimes used at at-grade roads in exceptional circumstances.
Direction Signs / Flag Signs — these are located at the road junction itself. The sign has a triangular point at one end and a chevron, and can also appear in the form of afingerpost, particularly on rural roads.
Overhead Gantry and Exit Taper Gantry Signs — destinations are signposted in advance on signs mounted ongantry structures.
Route Confirmatory,Route Marker and Route Direction Signs — these provide confirmation and information to drivers about the destinations and route ahead.
Other directional information signs, such as Next Exit Signs (which provide a list of destinations to take at the next exit) and Lane Destination Signs.
However, on rural roads, it is common for the appropriate signs to be missing. Often junctions are signed with only a fingerpost.
Generally directional signs on major routes show major or end destinations. Smaller towns and placenames are shown only on signs nearer to that location. Only the Irish place name is shown if the sign is in theGaeltacht, or the official name in English is identical to the Irish name or nearly so (for exampleDún Laoghaire orPort Laoise). Due to the practice of signposting in both languages, usually a limited number of destinations will be signposted. If a destination can be reached by following a route which is a spur from the route travelled, the destination or route number will be shown in brackets onroute confirmatory signs. Also, distances are shown in kilometres.
Regulatory signs are mostly circular and mostly black on a white background, with a red border. If the sign contains a prohibition, a red line will diagonally bisect the sign. This type of road sign was introduced in 1956 with theTraffic Signs Regulations, 1956.[14] Some signs were added later. These signs are laid out in Chapter 5 of theTSM.
Speed limit signs have the speed with the letters "km/h" underneath.
Warning signs use theMUTCD design, in that they are black on an amber (orangish-yellow) background, and are diamond-shaped. This type of road sign was introduced with theTraffic Signs Regulations, 1956.[14] Some signs were added later, and many types of signs, even common ones, do not appear in any statutes. These signs are laid out in Chapter 6 of theTSM.
Some types of sign (for example, pedestrian/zebra crossing signs) are somewhat randomly designed, and differ between county/city boroughs.
W 001 Crossroads
W 002L Side Road - Left
W 002R Side Road - Right
W 003L T-Junction (Type 1) - Left
W 003R T-Junction (Type 1) - Right
W 004L T-Junction (Type 2) - Left
W 004R T-Junction (Type 2) - Right
W 005L Y-Junction - Left
W 005R Y-Junction- Right
W 006L Crossroads at Sharp Corner - Left
W 006R Crossroads at Sharp Corner - Right
W 007LR Staggered Junctions - Left/Right
W 007RL Staggered Junctions - Right/Left
W 008L Two Junctions on Left
W 008R Two Junctions on Right
W 009L Side Road on Outside of Bend - Left
W 009R Side Road on Outside of Bend - Right
W 010L Side Road on Inside of Bend - Left
W 010R Side Road on Inside of Bend - Right
W 011L Crossroads on Bend - Left
W 011R Crossroads on Bend - Right
W 012L Side Road onDual C'way - Left (withCR Break)
W 012R Side Road on Dual C'way - Right (with CR Break)
W 013 Side Road on Dual C'way - (No CR Break)
W 014 Crossroads on Dual C'way
W 015 Crossroads (Major Road) Ahead
W 016 T Junction (Major Road) Ahead
W 017L Staggered Crossroads Ahead - Left
W 017R Staggered Crossroads Ahead - Right
W 018L Junction With Major Road at Sharp Corner - Left
W 018R Junction With Major Road at Sharp Corner - Right
W 019 Crossroads Ahead at Dual C'way
W 020 T Junction Ahead at Dual C'way (With CR Break)
W 021L Staggered Crossroads Ahead at Dual C'way - Left
W 021R Staggered Crossroads Ahead at Dual C'way - Right
W 022 T Junction Ahead at Dual C'way (No CR Break)
Road works hazard signs are reddish orange. Lane closure signs are diamond shaped for Level 1 roads (Urban and Low Speed Roads) and Level 2 roads (Rural Single Carriageway Roads), and square shaped for Level 3 Roads (Dual Carriageways and Motorways).
Supplementary plates are used in addition to warning, regulatory and roadworks signs. Their purpose is to provide additional information to the sign they are placed beneath (with sign P 056 being an exception, which is placed on its own as it contains a regulatory sign).
^Indicates a maximum speed of 60 km/h onlocal tertiary roads. It is never used on its own, it is always accompanied with supplementary plate P 080,Go Mall/SLOW.
^'Specified events' refers to those such as a sporting or entertainment event held at a specified venue or venues. At the end of this restriction, the sign is shown with supplementary plate P 010.[17]
^The diagonal bars are reversed if the sign is placed on the other side of the carriageway.
^MLC stands for mobile lane closure. These signs are mounted onto the trailer of a moving vehicle.
^abcdeText for this sign is variable. Permitted variants are outlined in theTSM.
^At the end of the restriction, "Ceantar/ZONE" is substituted with "Críoch/END".