User:EthanL13/sandbox

The early years

Among the first road signs in use on Irish roads were enamelled metal directional signs and cast-iron warning signs, the designs of which where laid out in the 1926 Road Signs and Traffic Signals Regulations.^[1] Directional signs featured black text on a yellow background, and were in fingerpost form. Warning signs, for their part, were similar to signs 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 beneath. A hollow red triangle normally surmounted the pole to which the sign was attached.

Both types of signs displayed text in Irish, with traditional typeface, and English.

Mid-twentieth century

An overhaul of the system occurred in 1956.^[2] Directional signs were now white with black text, warning signs were now in the form of yellow diamonds and a new category of road sign—regulatory signs—was introduced. This new system was based on recommendations by the United Nations,^[3] based on an eventually unrealised draft convention for international uniformity of road signs which had been in development beforehand.^[4]

1961 - yield signs

• 
  1956–1961
• 
  1961–1997
• 
  English-language version (1997 – present)
• 
  Irish-language version (1962 – present)

1962 - further updates

Foundations of the current system

In 1977, a new directional sign system was introduced. Irish text was made the same height as English text and was rendered in mixed case, while English text remained in uppercase, and distances were now displayed in kilometres. Additionally, a green background colour was introduced for signs erected on the newly-classified national roads.^[5]

1988 - introduction of brown-coloured tourist signs. In November, an amendment to the regulations saw that Irish text be rendered in italics from 1 January 1989.^[6]

1996 & 1997 - TSM & new regulations. Introduction of white-on-blue mandatory signs

21st century

2005 - 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.^[7] Due to the two speed limits possible on non-urban roads after 2005 metrication, the "end of speed limit" sign 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.

2010 (+ 2012) - second edition of TSM & regulations. The former "no entry" sign, a prohibition sign with an upward-pointing arrow, was replaced with the international standard red disk in the 2010 TSM. However the older version, now termed "No Straight Ahead", may be used when combined with a time or other restriction.

2013 - potential for English and Irish to be on equal footing

2015 - rural speed limit & slow zone signs

2016 - introduction of emergency diversion route symbols on the M50

2019 - third edition of TSM

2020s

2021 - shared spaced sign

2022-2024 - In October 2022, a nine-month long pilot scheme was undertaken by the National Transport Authority to introduce new signs that would replace Belisha beacons on newly installed pedestrian crossings.^[8] This scheme saw the introduction of a new blue square-shaped pedestrian crossing sign (featuring a fluorescent yellow background),^[9] 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.

2024 - pedestrian crossing sign introduced, two updates to TSM, updates to regulations incl. cycle signs applying to e-scooters

2025 - update to TSM & regulations