Roads in Ireland

Ireland, both north and south of the border, has an extensive network of roads. Historically, Northern Ireland has had better quality roads, though the difference is less marked nowadays. It is true to say that many rural roads, even in Northern Ireland, remain an 'exciting' ride. For an unforgettable example, drive from Charleville to Macroom in County Cork; all the stereotypical components are present, from road 'surface' and potholes, to junctions and vicious bends (often combined for added thrills). With the advent of European Union funding, most National routes in the Republic continue to be upgraded. In the years from 1990s to the following decade the Republic went from having one motorway in the country, to expanding the motorways to most major routes. This was part of a National Development Plan. Most road construction in Northern Ireland is around Belfast and its dormitory towns and commuter belts.

Roads in the Republic of Ireland

Motorways

In the Republic of Ireland, the most important roads are a small number of motorways, indicated by the prefix "M" followed by one or two digits. The motorway network is focused on Dublin. In all the intercity instances below, the Motorway is only part of the full route, the main route is listed after. City names in brackets are destinations served, but not directly connected to that route.

M1 Dublin - (Belfast) N1 road

M4 Dublin - Sligo/(Galway) N4 road

M7 Dublin - Limerick/(Cork)/(Waterford) N7 road

M9 (Dublin) - Waterford N9 road

M11 Dublin - Wexford N11 road

M50 Dublin ring road

National Primary Routes

This category of road has the prefix "N" followed by one or two digits. The most important cross-country roads are numbered in the range N13 - N30, with less important roads having higher numbers. Roads N1 to N11 radiate anti-clockwise from Dublin:

N1 Dublin - A1 south of Newry (- Belfast)

N2 Dublin - A5 north of Monaghan (- Derry)

N3 Dublin - Northern Irish border north of Cavan (- Enniskillen)

N4 Dublin - Sligo

N5 Longford - Westport

N6 Kinnegad - Galway

N7 Dublin - Limerick

N8 Portlaoise - Cork

N9 Kilcullen - Waterford

N10 Paulstown - Kilkenny - Ballyhale

N11 Dublin - Wexford

N20 Limerick - Castleisland - Tralee

N21 Limerick - Cork

N22 Cork - Killarney - Tralee

N25 Cork - Waterford - Rosslare Europort

Other Routes

National Secondary Routes are also indicated with a "N" prefix, though the number is higher. Examples are:

N69 Limerick - Tralee (Coast road via Foynes)

N85 Ennis - Ennistymon

Regional routes are indicated with an "R" prefix and a three-digit number, ranging from R1xx in the north-east to R7xx in the south-east of the country. Other roads are not generally referred to by number, but are registered with a four-digit "L" number, taking the form Lxxxx. Some old road signs will still carry old classifications, e.g. "T" for trunk road.

Roads in Northern Ireland

The main roads in the north, which connect well with those in the south, are classified "M"/"A"/"B" as in Great Britain, though their numbering is separate from the British system.

Motorways

The most important roads are motorways, designated as in the Republic and Great Britain by the letter "M". The motorway network is focused on Belfast.

M1 Belfast - Dungannon

M2 Belfast - Ballymena

M3 The Lagan Bridge in Belfast

M5 A short spur from Greenisland to Whitehouse in the northern suburbs of Belfast

M12 A short spur from the M1 to the centre of Portadown

M22 Antrim - Randalstown

"A" roads

The next most important roads are designated with the prefix "A" and a one-, two- or three-digit number. Some of the most important are:

A1 Belfast - - Newry - N1 north of Dundalk (- Dublin)

A2 Derry - Newry coastal road

A3 Lisburn - Portadown - Armagh - Middletown joining the N12 at the border which extends to Monaghan

A4 Portadown - Dungannon - Clogher Valley - Enniskillen - Belcoo joining the N16 at the border which extends to Sligo

A5 Derry - Strabane - Omagh - Ballygawley joining the N2 at the border which extends to Monaghan and Dublin

A6 Belfast - Derry

A7 Carryduff - Downpatrick

A8 Belfast - Larne

A11 Belfast Inner Ring Road

A12 Westlink urban motorway in Belfast

A20 Belfast - Newtownards

A21 Bangor - Newtownards - Comber - Ballygowan - Saintfield - A24 north of Ballynahinch

A23 Belfast - Ballygowan

A24 Belfast - Carryduff - Ballynahinch - Dundrum where it meets the A2 for Newcastle and Kilkeel

A25 Downpatrick - Castlewellan - Newry

A29 Coleraine - Maghera - Cookstown - Dungannon - Armagh - Keady - South Armagh where it becomes the R177 for Dundalk

"B" roads

Less important roads are indicated with the prefix "B" and a one-, two- or three- digit number.

See also

• Irish Vehicle Registration Plates
• List of Ireland-related topics
• Transportation in Ireland
• National Roads Authority

External Links

• Roads Service - Northern Ireland
• National Roads Authority (Republic of Ireland)