I don't know if my posting has become "invisible" to recent posters because it was the last on the previous page, or because you were just ignoring me!
The advice given earlier that the rules regarding IFR in Ireland are "the same as the UK", is
definitely wrong.
All of the relevant Irish legislation is online at
www.iaa.ie, and is there for all to see. In my post, on the last page, I quoted directly from it.
You need an IR to file IFR in Ireland (just like most other places). You cannot fly VFR at night outside control zones. As a result, practical x-country flying in Ireland at night without an IR is a non-starter. All of this is completely independent from the weather. Even with no clouds in the sky, a non-IR holder cannot file IFR
Charlie.