Reasonable Insurance with dd conviction??

Stupidly made a mistake more than 3 years ago of getting behind the wheel after a good bit of drink. Got pulled at checkpoint and served my 2 years disqualification which ended in May 2011.

Currently working in Dublin so won't need a car for the foreseeable future but out of curiosity called insure.ie recently for a quote on a car worth €8,000. Came back with a quote for €9,500!!! Guy on the phone said I'd probably be better off going directly to some of the insurance companies and taking an excess on the insurance (Say, I'd pay the first €3,000 of damage if I was in a crash) and I should get it cheaper. Haven't tried it yet but just wondering if anyone has any idea where the cheapest place to get insured is for a prior dd conviction or what's the best way to go about it?

Will prob get a few smart replies like just don'e drink & drive but any relevant advice would be greatly appreciated.

And trust me, I have my lesson well and truly learned on drink driving.