How to Get Mobile Internet in Ireland for Travelers: What Option to Choose?

Ireland is a country with a modern mobile internet network infrastructure, offering tourists with stable connectivity during their stay. Let’s learn about mobile internet in Ireland to find the most suitable connection option in this article.

I. Mobile Internet in Ireland – Coverage and Speed

Ireland has good and modern network coverage and speed, meeting most customer needs. The three major internet carriers in Ireland are Vodafone, Eir, and Three.

  • Vodafone: has the most extensive coverage, reaching more than 99% of the population, covers both urban and rural areas.
  • Eir: used to be known as Eircom, Eir is the 2nd largest coverage network, offers particularly strong coverage in urban areas and along major transportation routes.
  • Three: is the 3rd largest coverage network and offers good coverage in urban areas but may have some gaps in rural areas.

The following maps from Opensignal show the coverage strength of each network operator in Ireland:

Three coverage in Ireland
Three coverage in Ireland
Vodafone coverage in Ireland
Vodafone coverage in Ireland
eir coverage in Ireland
Eir coverage in Ireland

► Our conclusion: All major mobile network operators in Ireland offer good to great coverage across Ireland. Vodafone offers the most consistent and extensive network coverage, while Eir and Three are good in urban areas as well as transportation routes.

2. Speed

Mobile internet speed in Ireland is fast and reliable across the country. All major operators offer 4G and 5G services, with the 5G networks extensive in urban areas.

According to the Speedtest Global Index of Ookla, Ireland has the 11th fastest cellular internet speeds in the world. In detail, the average download speed in Ireland is about 12 Mbps, while the average upload speed is about 25Mbps.

Among three major network carriers, Vodafone consistently has the fastest mobile internet speed in Ireland with average download speed of about 150 Mbps and upload speeds of about 30 Mbps. Eir and Three follow behind.

Upload speed experience in Ireland
Upload speed experience in Ireland. Source: Opensignal
Download speed experience in Ireland
Download speed experience in Ireland. Source: Opensignal

II. What are Connectivity Options Using Mobile Internet for Tourists to Ireland?

Tourists can choose from four (04) major connectivity options to stay connected in Ireland, which are:

  • Ireland SIM Card
  • Ireland eSIM
  • Roaming in Ireland
  • Free WiFi

1. Ireland SIM Card

Tesco Ireland SIM Cards
Tesco Ireland SIM Cards

SIM cards are a traditional way to get Internet access and stay in touch for tourists traveling in Ireland.

Advantages: Wide coverage, Cost control, Reliable connection

Disadvantages: 

  • It takes effort to buy or wait for the SIM to be shipped to install it
  • Main SIM is easily lost when removed
  • 1 phone only uses 1 sim

2. Ireland eSIM

eSIM is a new technology that only works in newer phone models. Ireland eSIMs have the same function like physical SIM cards but do not require you to insert or swap out a SIM card. It is 100% digital.

Advantages: 

  • Buy online
  • Just scan the QR to get the SIM, no need to remove it
  • Use 2 SIMs at the same time (or 1 physical +1 eSIM or 2 eSIMs 
  • Install multiple data plans on the same phone
  • The eSIM is attached to the device so there is no risk of losing it
  • Still keep the main sim on the device

Disadvantages: Must be an unlocked and compatible phone (network unlocked) to use

3. Roaming in Ireland

Roaming for Ireland travel is a popular way for tourists to Irelands stay connected during their stay.

Advantage: Use the same current SIM 

Disadvantages

  • Expensive charges
  • Not all network operators have connection and cooperation contracts with Ireland network operators

4. Free Wi-Fi

Coffee shops in Ireland often offer free wifi for tourists
Coffee shops in Ireland often offer free wifi for tourists

Advantage

  • Free

Disadvantages: 

  • Security risks
  • Limited coverage
  • Variable speed and reliability

Advice: If travelers have unlocked phones, choose Ireland SIM Card or eSIM for the best price and convenience. 

II. Internet Rates in Ireland

There are many choices for tourists when they connect with the Internet in Ireland
There are many choices for tourists when they connect with the Internet in Ireland

Internet rates in Ireland are generally competitive compared to other European countries, ranging from €20-€30 per month. This typically includes about 5-10GB of data, which is enough for most basic needs such as surfing the Internet, checking email, and using social media.

Especially, some Internet provider may offer cheaper plans with less data, or more expensive plans with more data plus with additional features. Therefore, it is crucial to compare prices and offerings from different providers to find the best deals for your needs.

Factors that affect mobile internet rates in Ireland include: provider, speed, contract type, and data usage.

Below we make a comparison table between the rate of different connectivity options in Ireland:

OptionRate
Free wifiFree
Ireland Three SIM Card/eSIMRanging from $5,4 – $32.4
Ireland Vodafone SIM Card/eSIMRanging from $5,4 – $32.4
Ireland Lycamobile SIM Card/eSIMRanging from $10.8 – $27
Ireland Three roamingDaily roaming charges with $5,4/per day 
Ireland Vodafone roamingStarting from $4,3 per day you can get unlimited calls and texts home plus 500MB data. 

Note: $1 USD = €0.92 EUR and €1 EUR = $1.08 USD.

III. Data SIM Card for Mobile Internet in Ireland

Vodafone Ireland SIM Card
Vodafone Ireland SIM Card

An Ireland SIM card can be a great option for tourists to stay connected and in touch with people back home through apps. A data Ireland SIM card allows you to access the internet on your smartphone or other devices while you’re traveling, providing you with a reliable and convenient way to stay connected.

Tourists can see prices of some operators below: 

Vodafone Ireland with 28-days packages:

  • Unlimited 5G high speed data + 100 (internatonal) minutes/text  = €20 EUR – ($22 USD)
  • 10 GB data at 4G+ speed + unlimited calls/text = €20 EUR – ($22 USD)
  • Unlimited 5G high speed data + unlimited calls/text + 100 international minutes = €30 EUR – ($33 USD)

Or Three 3 Ireland offers 3 different prepaid sim card plans for tourists: 

  • 1 GB data + unlimited calls = €15 EUR – ($16.5 USD)
  • Unlimited data at 5G speed* + 60 minutes = €20 EUR – ($22 USD)
  • Unlimited data at 5G speed** + unlimited calls/sms = €30 EUR – ($33 USD)

IV. Data eSIM for Ireland – Best Option to Get Mobile Internet for Tourists

eSIM for Ireland, short for embedded SIM, is a digital SIM card that is embedded directly into a device, such as a smartphone, tablet, or smartwatch. Unlike traditional physical SIM cards, which need to be inserted and removed from a device, an eSIM for Ireland is built into the device’s hardware and can be remotely activated or deactivated with the necessary network information.

Using an eSIM from Gigago, you can reap the following benefits:

  • Buy online
  • Just scan the QR to get the SIM, no need to remove it
  • Use 2 SIMs at the same time (or 1 physical +1 eSIM or 2 eSIMs 
  • Install multiple data plans on the same phone
  • The eSIM is attached to the device so there is no risk of losing it
  • Still keep the main sim on the device

▶ Check more about Compatible phones for eSIM

Travelers have two options to buy eSIM for Ireland: 

1. Buy eSIM from Ireland Operators

Lycamobile stores in Ireland
Lycamobile stores in Ireland

You can easily purchase a prepaid SIM card for Ireland in Dublin city center or other popular tourist destinations throughout the country. All the major mobile network operators have their own official retail stores. For example, on Henry Street in central Dublin, you’ll find Vodafone, Eir, and Three stores located close to each other.

To find the nearest mobile phone store, the easiest way is to use Google Maps. Visiting the official stores ensures you receive the best service, competitive rates, and they’ll take care of all the setup for you. 

It’s worth noting that these places will require your ID cards or passports for the registration process. Therefore, don’t forget to bring these documents along with you to buy eSIM for Ireland in these places. 

2. Buy eSIM for Ireland from Gigago

Gigago Ireland packages
Gigago Ireland packages

You can get a more convenient choice to have eSIM for Ireland with Gigago – a reputable eSIM provider for more than 190 countries and territories eSIM packages. This is considered the most convenient and easiest solution: 

It doesn’t have to show anything, offers the advantage of 100% online, no passport, no ID card, no waiting for SIM delivery, easy setup ( just scan QR), have internet as soon as arriving in Ireland.

To buy an eSIM for Ireland from Gigago, you can follow these steps:

  • Visit the Gigago website,
  • Search for Ireland country in the search bar on homepage,
  • Select the Ireland eSIM plan that fits your needs
  • Make payment
  • Scan the QR code sent from Gigago to install the eSIM
  • Follow the on-screen guidelines to finish the installation and activation
  • Enjoy internet after landing in Ireland

For Ireland, Gigago offers multiple data plan options, starting from 1 GB for 3 days with $3.50 . What is great about Gigago’s Ireland eSIM is that its plans’ costs are diversifying, varying between $3.50$128.00 . Thus, it does not matter how Internet users you are and how long your trip is in Ireland, there is always an option for you with Gigago.

V. FAQs

What are the typical internet speeds for mobile data in Ireland?

The typical internet speeds for mobile data in Ireland can vary depending on many factors. On average, 4G LTE speeds in Ireland can range from 20 Mbps to 70 Mbps for download, and 10 Mbps to 30 Mbps for upload. 

Are there any unlimited data plans available in Ireland?

Yes, some mobile network providers in Ireland offer unlimited data plans. These plans typically allow you to use a large amount of data without worrying about exceeding a specific limit.

Are there any additional charges or fees associated with mobile internet usage in Ireland?

Depending on your mobile data plan, there may be additional charges or fees. These can include charges for exceeding data limits, roaming fees when using mobile data outside of Ireland, or charges for specific services.

Are there any specific requirements for using mobile internet on a tablet or other non-phone devices in Ireland?

To use mobile internet on a tablet or other non-phone devices in Ireland, you typically need a device that supports cellular connectivity. Additionally, you would need to have a mobile data plan that supports data access on non-phone devices.

Hopefully this article has provided all the information you need. Ireland has many reputable network operators with guaranteed Ireland mobile internet quality. When connecting to the Internet, visitors can consider choosing Ireland SIM Card/eSIM because this is a cheap option as well as there are many packages for you to choose from. Wishing you the most enjoyable and convenient trip to Ireland with the telecommunications network in Ireland