Ya there must have been some sort of local agreement between ATC and the local GA fleet. In Cork we normally file the plan with ATC for any flight staying inside 25NM. Outside this we have to fill in the flight plan form and fax it to Shannon AIS.
Anyhoo, EW and co are still hard at work up at Muckamore Intl and I'm sure they would be willing to get you out to East Mids or Birmingham on time. It's only a couple of hours up the island by road.
Thats a good idea, pity I live in Cork it will probally be the ferry for me
