I don't know if this has been posted before but I have just learned that tourists from some non Euro Union countries can visit Eire as part of a "Short Stay Waiver programme" from 1st July 2011 for a trial period using their UK visa and ensuring that they landed and cleared Immigration in UK first inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/WP... click on Visa Waiver programme bottom left of menu. If it has been posted and discussed apologies but have been travelling!!!