The advantages of an IR allowing you to get home from abroad in IFR weather, are well known, but another advantage is: because IR privileges allow flight in Class A, you can often fly higher. This is a useful safety advantage when flying single-engine over water. You can cross the channel within gliding distance of land from the mid-point on quite a few routes, and the 'feet-wet' band across the Irish Sea is narrower. However, the biggest benefit is the improvement in flying skill and the confidence that comes with it.