Ирландцы окончательно все запутали:
http://www.embassyofireland.ru/home/index.aspx?id=86864Министерство юстиции (оно же МВД) пишет что напрямую нельзя.
МИД пишет что можно, достаточно получить хоть один британский штампик - т.е. "открыть" британскую визу.
Цирк на конной тяге.
Some examples
Q. I have a new unused UK Visa, but would firstly like to make a trip to Ireland for 1 week before I go to the UK. I hope to fly into London and then transit onwards to Dublin. Do I need an Irish Visa?
A. Yes, you are not proposing to enter the UK, only transit it, therefore you must have a valid Irish Visa
Q. I have a new unused UK Visa and would like to go to Ireland first. I am hoping to fly direct to Ireland or via a Schengen/3rd country to get there. Do I need an Irish Visa?
A. Yes. You have not entered the UK, therefore you cannot use this visa to try and enter Ireland beforehand.
Q. I spent 2 weeks in the UK on holidays on my UK Visa and I will like to visit Ireland for 1 week before returning to Russia. Do I need to have an Irish Visa?
A. No, you have successfully entered the UK; therefore you can use the UK Visa to present yourself for entry to Ireland. You do not need to apply for an Irish Visa.
Q. I visited the UK 3 months ago and returned back to Russia. I have been invited by a friend to visit Ireland next month, and hope to fly directly there or via UK/ Schengen/3rd country. My UK Visa is still valid for 3 months. Do I need to apply for an Irish Visa?
A. No, you have been previously successfully cleared to enter the UK on this visa, therefore you can use this visa to present yourself for entry to Ireland, either travelling direct to Ireland or transiting a UK/Schengen/3rd country airport
Q I am on a long term resident’s visa in the UK and would like to visit Ireland. Do I need a visa to do so?
A. Yes, this scheme does not apply to holders of UK Long Term visas. You must apply for an Irish Visa at the Irish Embassy in London
Q. I have spent 150 days in the UK and would like to visit Ireland. Will I get 90 days to stay in Ireland?
A. The length of time you get to stay in a country is decided by the Immigration officer at the port of entry. On the basis of a maximum allowable stay of 90 days in Ireland and 180 in UK and a combined total of 180 days, within the Irish/UK Common Travel Area, it is likely that you will only be given a maximum of 30 days to stay in Ireland.
Q. I am a tour operator and am organising a tour group to travel to a Schengen country first, then, the UK and finally Ireland. Will I need an Irish Visa?
A. If your group are entering the UK first before going to Ireland, you will not need an Irish Visa. A Schengen Visa is not valid for entry to Ireland though.
Q. I am a tour operator and would like to bring a tour group to Ireland first and then the UK. Will I need an Irish Visa?
A. Yes, unless individual members of the group have a current valid UK visa, that will be valid on the date of the trip to Ireland and they have already used that visa at least once to enter the UK, they will have to apply for Irish Visas.
Q. I travelled to the UK on my UK Visa and afterwards made a short trip to Ireland also, on this same visa. My UK visa is expired, and I am applying for a new UK visa and would like to visit Ireland first this time. I think I do not need an Irish visa on this occasion. Am I correct?
A. You are incorrect. If you wish to travel to Ireland, you will have to make at least one successful trip to the UK in order to validate this new visa. Only then can you use it to go to Ireland. Otherwise, if you wish to go to Ireland first, you will have to apply for an Irish visa.