Motor Insurance: Living aborad recently

For the passed 6 years I've been living on and off in Ireland/abroad
When at home I would be driving my fathers car regularily.
Now I'm based permanently in Ireland and am looking about getting car insurance myself.
Each company asks me how long I've been resident in Ireland.
The quote doubles if I say less than a year.
I guess resident means here more than half of the year..
While the insurance company have no way of telling I've been living aborad, I don't want to lie on my application, but I feel frustrated that this is working against me, as I've been a regular driver in Ireland.
Anyone know any workarounds?
Do all companies ask for previous residency?

TIA,
HD

I would contact a broker and explain your situation. The broker can explain to the company they are quoting that you originally trained as a driver in Ireland but then went away for 6 years. I think the fear of the insurance company is of people that, say, lived in the US all their lives and then started driving hear and had to get used to the different road layouts etc. I think some companies will make allowances for your situation.