Metrication in Ireland

The island of Ireland gradually adopted the British imperial measurement system, fully replacing traditional Irish measure during the 19th century, and these units continued to be used after the independence of the Irish Free State (1922) and the establishment of the Republic of Ireland (1937/49).

In 1980 the European Union asked all of its member states to convert to the metric system, and in Ireland and the UK this process was originally to have been completed by 2009.

[2] Metrication in Ireland began in the 1970s and by 2005 was completed, with the main exception being that the imperial pint (568 ml) is still used in eateries and pubs for reasons of tradition.

[6] Since 2005 all new cars sold in Ireland have speedometers that display only kilometres per hour; odometers generally became metric as well.

After consultation, EU Directive 2009/3/EC of 11 March 2009, among other measures, permitted:[7] These amendments were published on 7 May 2009 and became effective on 1 January 2010.

Information sign about the speed limit units used in Ireland
Signs introduced in the 1970s showed distances in kilometres, sometimes alongside older signs with distances in miles.