You used to be able to get a CAA IR on a Bell 206 that was approved for IFR (but not IMC).
You can also do the FAA IR (30 of the 40 hours) in a Flyit 'simulator'. I know there is a move to get the same approval in terms of hours from the JAA.
It is also possible to do the IR test in the Flyit, and but fly one precision and one non-precision approach in a real helicopter.
Also just a note- I find holding patterns easier to do in a higher speed helicopter- less wind effect.