6 Months Visa Free In the UK?

[Ximon]

I read that as an American tourist, a person can visit the UK for up to 6 months. However, I also read that if you first enter Ireland and transit to the UK you will get an EU stamp in your passport that only allows you to visit the UK for 3 months. This is due to the Travel Common Area which allows you to transit between Ireland and the UK without a passport check. In other words, you will not enter UK soil with a UK stamp in your passport, only an Irish stamp.

Does anyone have experience with this rule? Is this rule in place even if you are merely changing planes at e.g. Dublin Airport for a plane to the UK without leaving the airport?

[alterhase58]

The CTA does not come under EU regulations - it is an historical arrangement for the benefit of Irish and British citizen.

[Ximon]

Not sure how that answers my question but thanks anyway.