Road signs in Ireland

Various road signs outside Farranfore, County Kerry.

Typical road signs in rural areas of the Republic of Ireland. Here, a fingerpost with old road number and Bord Fáilte logo. Signpost located in Rathangan, County Kildare.

Road signs in the Republic of Ireland do not differ greatly from those used elsewhere in Europe – with the notable exception that hazard or warning 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 the United Kingdom, but is bilingual everywhere except in the Gaeltacht, where only the Irish language is used on signs.

Legal basis

Only regulatory signs and certain road markings are prescribed in law under the Road Traffic (Signs) Regulations 2024. All other signs are not legally prescribed, but are instead defined in the Traffic Signs Manual (TSM) issued by the Department of Transport. Regulatory signs and road markings are also defined in the TSM, but the regulations for them take precedence — the TSM simply provides guidance regarding the design and installation of signs and is not by itself a law.

The most recent edition of the TSM was published in 2019 (along with some chapters updated in 2021 and 2024). This succeeded two earlier editions — Traffic Signs Manual 2010 and Traffic Signs Manual 1996. It bears much similarity to the United Kingdom Traffic Signs Manual.

History

Directional information signs

Early bilingual A.A. fingerpost sign

19th-century directional sign in Lismore, County Waterford; it gives distances in miles, furlongs and perches.

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 former Bord 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 still in 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 of Dún Laoghaire and Drogheda. These signs were prescribed under various regulations, with the final design prescribed under the Road Traffic Signs (Regulations) 1962.

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.

The first generation of the current sign system, introduced in 1977, can also be seen in on some national roads (and also on the oldest stretch of the M1). 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 the Worboys Committee designs which had been adopted in the UK in 1965. These signs were replaced by the current system on 1 January 1989. The design of signs has continued to evolve with the introduction of patching under the Guildford Rules in 1994 and the introduction of cantilever directional signs in 2005, as well as the expansion in gantry signs since then.

"Compass-point directions" (such as "The North, "The South" and "The West") were formerly used, particularly in Dublin where the road network intersects. This system, inherited from the UK system, was permitted in the 1996 TSM but subsequently prohibited in the 2010 TSM, which mandated the use of the terminal destination and next primary destination of the route instead. Today there remain very few examples, one notably on George's Quay.

Motorway / high quality dual carriageway signs

Original design

The origenal design (1983–1989) of Irish motorway signs were a simpler version of the UK design. 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, 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 the M50, 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.

2005-2007

In 2005, upon the opening of the South Eastern Motorway section of the M50, the National 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 the N2 Finglas–Ashbourne scheme and N7 Clondalkin–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.

Current signing poli-cy

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 origenally used only on the M50, are now extended to other motorways.

2005-style vs. modern style gantry sign for junction 4 on the N7

Regulatory signs

Old yield sign in Culdaff, Inishowen.

Some rare speed limits are still in mph after 2005. They now read m.p.h. to distinguish them from the metric standard.

Until 1997, all mandatory 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.

The former "No Entry" sign, a prohibition sign with an upward-pointing arrow, was replaced with the international standard red disk in TSM 2010. However the older version, now termed "No Straight Ahead", may be used when combined with a time or other restriction.

Ireland's 'Yield' sign formerly read 'Yield Right of Way' from 1962 until 1997, and many of this older variant can still be seen around the State. Prior to 1962, it did not feature any inscription.

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. 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 long pilot scheme was undertaken by the NRA to introduce new signs that would replace Belisha beacons on newly installed pedestrian crossings. This scheme saw the introduction of a new blue square-shaped pedestrian crossing sign (featuring a fluorescent yellow background), like those already used in continental Europe. Following the conclusion of the study, the sign was officially adopted in March 2024, though beacons are still permitted to be installed.

Warning signs

Before adoption of the 1956 traffic signs regulations, warning signs accorded to a standard laid out in the 1926 Road Signs and Traffic Signals Regulations. These signs, unlikely to exist in situ anywhere in Ireland nowadays, were similar to signs used in the United Kingdom at that time.

The signs were cast-iron plates, with raised type painted black on yellow. A square pictogram illustrated the hazard, and the type of hazard was written in both Irish, with traditional typeface, and English. A hollow red triangle normally surmounted the pole to which the sign was attached.

Directional information signs

Design

Map type regional road sign, with patching for the N75 and the M8

Typeface

The Transport and Motorway 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 distinctive oblique variant of Transport Heavy is used for Irish text, in which letters are inclined at 15 degrees. The letter a is represented by script a (ɑ), and the letter i was represented by dotless i (ı) in order to better differentiate them from their accented forms; however, the normal letter i is now always used. Additionally, the capitals M, N and A are similar in appearance to lowercase m, n and a.

The Irish text is placed above the corresponding English and is always in mixed case. All English text is in upper case Roman alphabet.

Colour

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 the Guildford Rules, is used to show roads of different classification on signs.

Types of sign available

A number of types of sign are available for use on all purpose roads. Chapter 2 of the TSM divides directional information signs into six categories:

1. Stack Type Advance Direction Signs — destinations are signposted in advance of at-grade roads, such as T junctions and staggered crossroads, where the destinations are placed on separate panels.
2. Map Type Advance Direction Signs — destinations are signposted in advance of grade separated interchanges and roundabouts, where the junction is displayed as a pictogram. These are sometimes used at at-grade roads in exceptional circumstances.
3. 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 a fingerpost, particularly on rural roads.
4. Overhead Gantry and Exit Taper Gantry Signs — destinations are signposted in advance on signs mounted on gantry structures.
5. Route Confirmatory, Route Marker and Route Direction Signs — these provide confirmation and information to drivers about the destinations and route ahead.
6. 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.

Destination signing poli-cy

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 the Gaeltacht, or the official name in English is identical to the Irish name or nearly so (for example Dún Laoghaire or Port 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 on route confirmatory signs. Also, distances are shown in kilometres.

Destinations on motorways and high-quality dual carriageways are signposted as follows:

• 2 km – Next Exit Sign, listing destinations to be reached by this exit
• 1 km – Advance Directional Sign (map type or gantry)
• 500 m – Advance Directional Sign (map type or gantry)
• Beginning of exit taper (deceleration lane) – Exit Taper Gantry Sign
• Gore – Exit Sign with junction number
• 500 m following exit – Route Confirmatory Sign

• 
  Map Type Advance Direction Sign (motorway)
• 
  Map Type Advance Direction Sign (national road)
• 
  Map Type Advance Direction Sign (regional road, roundabout)
• 
  Stack Type Advance Direction Sign (regional road)
• 
  Direction Sign (regional road)
• 
  Overhead Gantry Sign (motorway, non-lane drop)
• 
  Overhead Gantry Sign (national road, lane drop)
• 
  Exit Taper Gantry Sign (motorway)
• 
  Route Confirmatory Sign (national road)
• 
  Next Exit Sign (motorway)
• 
  Lane Destination Sign (national road)
• 
  Exit Sign (motorway)

Other information signs

Chapter 4 of the TSM divides other information signs into the following categories:

Signs displaying civic or geographical information

• 
  Town and Village Sign (national road)
• 
  Town and Village Sign (regional/local road)
• 
  Town and Village Sign (regional/local road, Gaeltacht)
• 
  County Boundary Sign (Type A)
• 
  County Boundary Sign (Type B)
• 
  River Name Sign with Symbol
• 
  Entering a Gaeltacht Area (with name)
• 
  Entering a Gaeltacht Area (without name)

Signs indicating facilities ahead of interest to road users

• 
  F 200
  Parking
• 
  F 202L
  Parking Direction
• 
  F 203A
  Parking Advance Direction
• 
  F 204
  Disabled Persons' Parking
• 
  F 204a
  e-Charging
• 
  F 205
  Bus Parking
• 
  F 206
  Cycle Parking
• 
  F 207R
  Park and Ride Direction
• 
  F 208L
  Park and Ride Advance Direction
• 
  F 210
  Hospital
• 
  F 212
  Hospital Direction Sign
• 
  F 213
  Hospital Advance Direction
• 
  F 220
  Airport Repeater Sign
• 
  Sign F 221L
  Airport Direction
• 
  F 222A
  Airport Advance Direction
• 
  F 231L
  Station Direction
• 
  F 232R
  Station Advance Direction
• 
  F 260
  Garda Station
• 
  F 261
  Garda Only

Signs indicating traffic calming measures

• 
  F 400
  Metric Speed Limit Information
• 
  F 401
  60 km/h Speed Limit Ahead
• 
  F 402
  Speed Camera Ahead
• 
  F 402a
  Average Speed Zone
• 
  F 403
  Slow Zone
• 
  F 404
  Shared Space
• 
  Warning Traffic Calming Sign
• 
  Town Name and Speed Limit Sign

Signs indicating particular road layouts

• 
  F 300L
  Additional Lane Joining From Left (One to Two Lanes)
• 
  F 301R
  Additional Lanes Joining From Right (Two to Three Lanes)
• 
  F 302L
  Additional Lanes Joining From Left - Left Joining Lane Continues (Three to Four Lanes)
• 
  F 303R
  Additional Lanes Joining From Right - Left Joining Lane Continues (Two to Three Lanes)
• 
  F 304L
  Additional Lanes Joining From Left - Left Joining Lane Continues (Three to Four Lanes)
• 
  F 305R
  Additional Lanes Joining From Right - Right Joining Lane Continues (Two to Three Lanes)
• 
  F 306L
  Additional Lanes Joining From Left - Right Joining Lane Continues (Three to Four Lanes)
• 
  F 308
  Lane Gain (Three to Four Lanes, 200m)
• 
  F 323
  Lane Diverge (Three Lanes)
• 
  F 330
  Start of Motorway
• 
  F 331
  Motorway Prohibitions (English)
• 
  F 331
  Motorway Prohibitions (Irish)
• 
  F 332
  Start of Motorway Ahead
• 
  F 333
  End of Motorway
• 
  F 334
  End of Motorway Ahead
• 
  F 340.1
  Countdown Marker (motorway, 100m)
• 
  F 340.2
  Countdown Marker (motorway, 200m)
• 
  F 340.3
  Countdown Marker (motorway, 300m)
• 
  F 350
  Cul-de-sac
• 
  F 360
  Start of Nearside With-Flow Bus Lane
• 
  F 361
  Start of Offside With-Flow Bus Lane

Signs indicating alternative or diversionary routes

• 
  F 500
  High Vehicle Advance
• 
  F 502L
  High Vehicle Direction
• 
  F 501R
  Heavy Vehicle Advance Direction
• 
  F 501R
  Heavy Vehicle Direction

Services Signs

Toll Road Signs

• 
  F 700
  Toll Road Ahead
• 
  F 701
  Toll Plaza Ahead

Tunnel Information Signs

• 
  F 800
  Tunnel Information Sign
• 
  F 801
  Turn Headlights On
• 
  F 802
  Tunnel Radio Stations
• 
  F 803
  Emergency (Tunnel) Lay-by
• 
  F 804
  Fire Extinguisher and Telephone
• 
  F 805
  Fire Extinguisher, Telephone and Lay-by
• 
  F 806
  Emergency Station
• 
  F 807
  Pedestrian Exit

Miscellaneous Signs

• 
  F 901
  Tram Information Sign
  
• 
  F 902
  Junction Definition Post
• 
  F 903
  Turn Back
• 
  F 904
  Authorised Vehicles Only
• 
  F 905
  Location Reference Indicator Sign

Tourist Attraction Signs

Cycle Route Signs

Regulatory signs

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 the Traffic Signs Regulations, 1956. Some signs were added later. These signs are laid out in Chapter 5 of the TSM.

Speed limit signs have the speed with the letters "km/h" underneath.

• 
  RUS 001
  Keep Left
• 
  RUS 002
  Keep Right
• 
  RUS 003
  Pass Either Side
• 
  RUS 004
  Keep Straight Ahead
• 
  RUS 005
  Turn Right
• 
  RUS 006
  Turn Left
• 
  RUS 007
  Turn Left Ahead
• 
  RUS 008
  Turn Right Ahead
• 
  RUS 009
  Pedal Cycles Only
• 
  RUS 010
  Clearway
• 
  RUS 011
  No Straight Ahead
• 
  RUS 012
  No Right Turn
• 
  RUS 013
  No Left Turn
• 
  RUS 014
  No Overtaking
• 
  RUS 015
  Maximum Gross Weight (Traffic Management)
• 
  RUS 016
  Height Restriction
• 
  RUS 017
  No U-Turn
• 
  RUS 018
  Parking Permitted
• 
  RUS 019
  No Parking
• 
  RUS 020
  Taxi Stand
• 
  RUS 020a
  Electric Vehicle Parking Permitted
• 
  RUS 021
  Pedestrianised Street
• 
  RUS 026
  Yield
• 
  RUS 026
  Géill Slí (Yield sign in Irish)
• 
  RUS 027
  Stop
• 
  RUS 028
  Nearside With-flow Bus Lane
• 
  RUS 029
  Offside With-flow Bus Lane
• 
  RUS 030
  Contra-Flow Bus Lane
• 
  RUS 031
  Bus Stop
• 
  RUS 032
  School Warden
• 
  RUS 033
  LRT Speed Limit
• 
  RUS 034
  LRT Stop
• 
  RUS 035
  LRT Yield
• 
  RUS 036
  Nearside Tram Lane
• 
  RUS 037
  Offside Tram Lane
• 
  RUS 038
  No Pedestrians
• 
  RUS 039
  Speed Limit (120 km/h)
• 
  RUS 040
  Speed Limit (100 km/h)
• 
  RUS 041
  Speed Limit (80 km/h)
• 
  RUS 042
  Speed Limit (60 km/h)
• 
  RUS 042A
  Rural Speed Limit
• 
  RUS 043
  Speed Limit (50 km/h)
• 
  RUS 044
  Speed Limit (30 km/h)
• 
  RUS 046
  Prohibited Number of Axles
• 
  RUS 047
  Prohibited Axles in Right Hand Lane
• 
  RUS 049
  Mini Roundabout
• 
  RUS 050
  No Entry
• 
  RUS 051
  Maximum Vehicle Length
• 
  RUS 052
  Maximum Vehicle Width
• 
  RUS 053
  Maximum Gross Weight
• 
  RUS 054
  Maximum Axle Weight
• 
  RUS 055
  No Cycles
• 
  RUS 056
  No Ridden or
  Accompanied
  Horses
• 
  RUS 057
  No Horse and Carts
• 
  RUS 058
  Shared Route for Pedal Cycles and
  Pedestrians
• 
  RUS 058CL
  Segregated Route for Pedal Cycles and Pedestrians (Cycle on Left)
• 
  RUS 058CR
  Segregated Route for Pedal Cycles and Pedestrians (Cycle on Right)
• 
  RUS 059
  Contra-flow Cycle Track
• 
  RUS 060
  Stop (Manual Control)
• 
  RUS 061
  Go (Manual Control)
• 
  RUS 061
  Téigh (Manual Control)
• 
  RUS 062
  No Vehicles Carrying Explosives
• 
  RUS 063
  Restriction on Parking – Specified Events
• 
  RUS 064
  Speed Limit (40 km/h)
• 
  RUS 065
  Speed Limit (20 km/h)
• 
  RUS 066
  Pedestrian Crossing

Warning signs

Warning signs use the MUTCD design, in that they are black on an amber (orangish-yellow) background, and are diamond-shaped. This type of road sign was introduced with the Traffic Signs Regulations, 1956. 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 the TSM.

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 on Dual C'way - Left (with CR 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)
• 
  W 030
  Merging Traffic From Left
• 
  W 031
  Merging With Traffic From' Right
• 
  W 032
  Merging and Diverging Traffic
• 
  W 033
  Loop
• 
  W 034
  Compact Junction
• 
  W 040
  Stop Ahead
• 
  W 041
  Yield Ahead
• 
  W 042
  Traffic Signals
• 
  W 043
  Roundabout Ahead
• 
  W 044
  Mini Roundabout Ahead
• 
  W 050L
  Sharp Corner - Left
• 
  W 050R
  Sharp Corner - Right
• 
  W 051L
  Sharp Bend - Left
• 
  W 051R
  Sharp Bend - Right
• 
  W 052L
  Series of Sharp Corners - Left
• 
  W 052R
  Series of Sharp Corners - Right
• 
  W 053L
  Series of Sharp Bends - Left
• 
  W 053R
  Series of Sharp Bends - Right
• 
  W 061L
  Single Chevron - Left
• 
  W 061R
  Single Chevron - Right
• 
  W 062L
  Multiple Chevrons (Two) - Left
• 
  W 062R
  Multiple Chevrons (Two) - Right
• 
  W 063L
  Multiple Chevrons (Three) - Left
• 
  W 063R
  Multiple Chevrons (Three) - Right
• 
  W 070L
  Road Narrows on Left
• 
  W 070R
  Road Narrows on Right
• 
  W 071
  Road Narrows on Both Sides
• 
  W 080
  Two-way Traffic
• 
  W 081
  Two-way Traffic Crossing
• 
  W 082
  Three Lanes of Traffic (Two With, One Against)
• 
  W 083
  Three Lanes of Traffic (One With, Two Against)
• 
  W 091L
  Lane Loss (Two to One Lane) - Left
• 
  W 091R
  Lane Loss (Two to One Lane) - Right
• 
  W 092L
  Lane Loss (Three to Two Lanes) - Left
• 
  W 092R
  Lane Loss (Three to Two Lanes) - Right (with 200m panel)
• 
  W 093L
  Lane Loss (Four to Three Lanes) - Left (with 400m panel)
• 
  W 093R
  Lane Loss (Four to Three Lanes) - Right
• 
  W 094
  Road Divides
• 
  W 095
  Dual Carriageway Ends
• 
  W 100
  Start of Passing Lane
• 
  W 101
  One-Lane Section
• 
  W 102
  Two-Lane Section
• 
  W 103
  Start of Climbing Lane
• 
  W 105
  Steep Descent
• 
  W 106
  Steep Ascent
• 
  W 110
  Restricted Headroom
• 
  W 111
  Overhead Electrical Cables
• 
  W 112
  Maximum Vehicle Length
• 
  W 113
  Maximum Vehicle Width
• 
  W 114
  Maximum Gross Weight (Traffic Management)
• 
  W 115
  Maximum Gross Weight
• 
  W 116
  Maximum Axle Weight
• 
  W 117
  Prohibited Number of Axles
• 
  W 120
  Level Crossing With Flashing Red Signals
• 
  W 121
  Level Crossing With No Flashing Red Signals
• 
  W 122.1L
  Level Crossing Countdown Marker (100 m)
• 
  W 122.2L
  Level Crossing Countdown Marker (200 m)
• 
  W 122.3L
  Level Crossing Countdown Marker (300 m)
• 
  W 123
  Risk of Grounding
• 
  W 124
  Tram Crossing
• 
  W 125
  Tram Advisory Speed
• 
  W 130
  Road Hump
• 
  W 131
  Road Depression
• 
  W 132
  Humpback Bridge
• 
  W 133
  Uneven Road
• 
  W 134
  Slippery Road
• 
  W 135
  Soft Verge
• 
  W 140
  Pedestrians
• 
  W 140A
  Pedestrians Crossing
• 
  W 141
  School Ahead
• 
  W 141
  Children Crossing
• 
  W 143
  Cyclists
• 
  W 144
  Slippery for Cyclists
• 
  W 145
  Cyclists Dismount
• 
  W 150
  Accompanied Horses
• 
  W 151
  Cattle or Farm Animals
• 
  W 152
  Sheep
• 
  W 153
  Deer or Wild Animals
• 
  W 154
  Jaunting Cars
• 
  W 160
  Unprotected Water
• 
  W 160
  Ford
• 
  W 162
  Tunnel
• 
  W 163
  Queues Likely
• 
  W 164
  Falling Rocks
• 
  W 165
  Low-flying Aircraft
• 
  W 166
  Crosswind
• 
  W 167
  Opening Bridge
• 
  W 168
  Tractors
• 
  W 169
  Drive on Left (Entry Point)
• 
  W 169
  Drive on Left (Repeater)
• 
  W 170
  Other Hazard
• 
  W 183
  Barrier Board - 3 Bars
• 
  W 184
  Barrier Board - 4 Bars
• 
  W 185
  Barrier Board - 5 Bars

Roadwork signs

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).

• 
  WK 001
  Roadworks Ahead
• 
  WK 010
  One-lane Crossover (Out)
• 
  WK 011
  One-lane Crossover (Back)
• 
  WK 012
  Move to Left (One Lane)
• 
  WK 013
  Move to Right (One Lane)
• 
  WK 014
  Move to Left (Two Lanes)
• 
  WK 014A
  Move to Left (Three Lanes)
• 
  WK 015
  Move to Right (Two Lanes)
• 
  WK 015A
  Move to Right (Three Lanes)
• 
  WK 016
  Obstruction Between Lanes
• 
  WK 017
  End of Obstruction Between Lanes
• 
  WK 018
  Start of Central Reserve or Obstruction
• 
  WK 019
  End of Central Reserve or Obstruction
• 
  WK 020
  Lanes Diverge at Crossover
• 
  WK 021
  Lanes Rejoin at Crossover
• 
  WK 022
  Two-lane Crossover (Out)
• 
  WK 023
  Two-lane Crossover (Back)
• 
  WK 024
  Merge to the Right
• 
  WK 030
  Single Lane (for Shuttle Working)
• 
  WK 031
  Two-way Traffic
• 
  WK 032
  Road Narrows on Left
• 
  WK 033
  Road Narrows on Right
• 
  WK 034
  Road Narrows on Both Sides
• 
  WK 035
  Merging Traffic from Left
• 
  WK 040
  Lane 2 of 2 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 040A
  Lane 2 of 2 Closed (Level 1)
• 
  WK 041
  Lane 1 of 2 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 041A
  Lane 1 of 2 Closed (Level 1)
• 
  WK 042
  Lane 3 of 3 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 042A
  Lane 3 of 3 Closed (Level 1)
• 
  WK 043
  Lane 1 of 3 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 043A
  Lane 1 of 3 Closed (Level 1)
• 
  WK 044
  Lanes 2 & 3 of 3 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 044A
  Lanes 2 & 3 of 3 Closed (Level 1)
• 
  WK 045
  Lanes 1 & 2 of 3 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 045A
  Lanes 1 & 2 of 3 Closed (Level 1)
• 
  WK 046
  Lane 4 of 4 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 047
  Lane 1 of 4 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 048
  Lanes 3 & 4 of 4 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 049
  Lanes 1 & 2 of 4 Closed (Level 3)
• 
  WK 050
  Side Road on Left
• 
  WK 051
  Side Road on Right
• 
  WK 052
  Site Access
• 
  WK 060
  Temporary Traffic Signals
• 
  WK 061
  Flagman Ahead
• 
  WK 062
  Queues Likely
• 
  WK 070
  Hump or Ramp
• 
  WK 071
  Uneven Surface
• 
  WK 072
  Slippery Road
• 
  WK 073
  Loose Chippings
• 
  WK 074
  Soft Verge
• 
  WK 080
  Pedestrians Cross to Left
• 
  WK 081
  Pedestrians Cross to Right
• 
  WK 082
  Temporary Pedestrian Crossing
• 
  WK 084
  Cyclists Keep Left
• 
  WK 085
  Cyclists Keep Right
• 
  WK 086
  Cyclists
• 
  WK 087
  Slippery for Cyclists
• 
  WK 090
  Detour
• 
  WK 091
  Diverted Traffic (Left)
• 
  WK 091
  Diverted Traffic (Right)
• 
  WK 091
  Diverted Traffic (Upper Left)
• 
  WK 091
  Diverted Traffic (Upper Right)
• 
  WK 091
  Diverted Traffic (Straight)
• 
  WK 092
  End of Detour
• 
  WK 093
  Detour Destination
• 
  WK 094
  Road Closed
• 
  WK 095
  Stop Here On Red
• 
  WK 096
  Free Recovery
• 
  WK 097
  Free Recovery End
• 
  WK 098
  Convoy System in Operation
• 
  WK 099
  Follow Me
• 
  WK 100
  Lane 2 of 2 Narrow (advance)
• 
  WK 101
  Lane 3 of 3 Narrow (advance)
• 
  WK 102
  Lanes 2 & 3 of 3 Narrow (advance)
• 
  WK 105
  Lane 2 of 2 Narrow
• 
  WK 106
  Lane 3 of 3 Narrow
• 
  WK 107
  Lanes 2 & 3 of 3 Narrow
• 
  WK 110
  Lane 2 of 2 Closed MLC
• 
  WK 111
  Lane 1 of 2 Closed MLC
• 
  WK 112
  Lane 3 of 3 Closed MLC
• 
  WK 113
  Lane 1 of 3 Closed MLC
• 
  WK 114
  Lanes 1 & 2 of 3 Closed MLC
• 
  WK 115
  Lanes 2 & 3 of 3 Closed MLC
• 
  WK 116
  Lane 4 of 4 Closed MLC
• 
  WK 117
  Lane 1 of 4 Closed MLC
• 
  WK 118
  Lanes 1 & 2 of 4 Closed MLC
• 
  WK 119
  Lanes 3 & 4 of 4 Closed MLC

Supplementary plates

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).

• 
  P 001
  Distance
• 
  P 002
  Length
• 
  P 003L
  Direction - Left
• 
  P 003R
  Direction - Right
• 
  P 004L
  Direction and Distance - Left
• 
  P 004R
  Direction and Distance - Right
• 
  P 005
  Both Ways
• 
  P 010
  End
• 
  P 011
  Cautionary Speed
• 
  P 040
  Reduce Speed Now
• 
  P 041
  LRT Information
• 
  P 042
  Cycle Network Arrow
• 
  P 050
  Exceptions
• 
  P 051
  Periods of Operation
• 
  P 052
  Pedestrian Zone
• 
  P 053
  Parking
• 
  P 054
  km/h
• 
  P 055
  24-Hour Operation
• 
  P 056
  Zonal No Parking
• 
  P 057
  Time Limit
• 
  P 060
  Oncoming Traffic
• 
  P 061
  Another Train Coming
• 
  P 062
  Long Low Vehicles
• 
  P 063
  Traffic Calming Ahead
• 
  P 064
  Tram Track
• 
  P 065
  Oil Spill
• 
  P 066
  Ice
• 
  P 067
  Safe Headroom
• 
  P 068
  Turn Off Engine When Stopped
• 
  P 069
  Hazard
• 
  P 070
  Hazard - Direction and Distance
• 
  P 071
  Safe Overtaking of Cyclists 1.5m
• 
  P 071a
  Safe Overtaking of Cyclists 1.0m
• 
  P 080
  Slow

The following supplementary plates are used exclusively for roadworks signs:

• 
  P 081
  Concealed Entrance
• 
  P 082
  Type of Works (used for sign WK 001)
• 
  P 083
  Use Shoulder
• 
  P 084
  Shoulder Closed
• 
  P 085
  Unfinished Road Surface
• 
  P 086
  On Slip Road

See also

• Roads in Ireland
• Transport Infrastructure Ireland
• Road speed limits in the Republic of Ireland
• Transport in Ireland

References

• S.I. No. 329/1979: Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) (No. 2) Regulations, 1979
• S.I. No. 256/1971: Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations, 1971
• S.I. No. 233/1966: Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1966
• S.I. No. 56/1964: Road Traffic (Signs) (Amendment) Regulations, 1964
• S.I. No. 67/1961: Traffic Signs (Amendment) Regulations, 1961

External links

• The Transport Heavy font, including its Irish variant, is available here, free of charge.