M1 motorway (Northern Ireland) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids M1 motorway
Looking east from Junction 9
Route information
Part of E01 and E18
Length	38.0 mi (61.2 km)
Existed	1962–present
History	Constructed 1962–1968
Major junctions
East end	Belfast
	J12 → M12 Motorway
West end	Dungannon
Highway system
Roads in the United Kingdom Motorways A roads in Northern Ireland ← A12 A4 →

The M1 is a very important motorway in Northern Ireland. It helps people travel quickly between two major places: Belfast and Dungannon. After Dungannon, the road continues towards Omagh and Enniskillen as the A4 road.

This motorway is also a key part of the route that connects Belfast to Dublin, the capital of the Republic of Ireland. It links up with the N1 in Northern Ireland and the M1 in the Republic of Ireland. The M1 is about 38 miles (61 kilometres) long. This makes it the longest motorway in Northern Ireland!

What is the M1 Motorway?

The M1 motorway is a special type of road designed for fast and safe travel. It has multiple lanes in each direction and no traffic lights or roundabouts. This allows drivers to keep moving without stopping, making journeys quicker. It's built to handle a lot of traffic every day.

When Was the M1 Built?

Construction of the M1 motorway began in 1962. It was built in different sections over several years. The entire motorway was completed and opened to traffic by 1968. This means it has been helping people travel across Northern Ireland for over 50 years!

Where Does the M1 Go?

The M1 motorway starts near the centre of Belfast, which is the capital city of Northern Ireland. It then travels southwest, passing by many towns and cities. Some of the main places it connects are Lisburn, Lurgan, Craigavon, Portadown, and finally ends near Dungannon.

Connecting Major Towns and Cities

The M1 is vital for linking many communities. For example, it connects Belfast to Lisburn, a large city just south of the capital. It also provides a direct route to the planned city of Craigavon, which includes the towns of Lurgan and Portadown. This helps people commute for work, visit family, or transport goods.

How Does the M1 Connect to Other Roads?

Motorways like the M1 have special entry and exit points called junctions. These junctions allow drivers to get on and off the motorway safely and connect to other main roads.

Key Junctions and Connections

The M1 has several important junctions that link it to other major roads. For instance, at its eastern end in Belfast, it connects to the A12 road, which leads to the city centre and other motorways like the M2 and M3.

Further along, the M1 connects to the A1, which is another important route heading south towards Dublin. There's also a special link to the M12 Motorway near Craigavon, which helps drivers reach Portadown more easily.

Services Along the M1

Like many motorways, the M1 has service areas where drivers can stop for a break. These places offer fuel, food, and rest facilities. There are services near Lisburn, and another one called Tamnamore Services is planned near Junction 14. These stops are important for long journeys.

Images for kids

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  View east from the bridge at junction 9.

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  M1-M12, near Portadown