Ah! That's the bit we microlighters don't tell the big boys. You can fly abroad. There is a reciprocal arrangement in force with several European microlighting organisations where national licences are cross recognised. There is even a flexwing pilot currently flying across America on an NPPL(M)! Ireland is no problem.
France in particular is good for microlight flying. Qualifying in budget may even leave some lolly for a share in a machine. That gives you a lot of cheaply gained experience.