Keeping in Touch in Ireland

You won’t have a problem keeping in touch with family and friends while you're in Ireland, as the standards and variety of internet, telephone, mobile and postal services are generally good.

As a majority English-speaking country, Ireland has plenty of English media, so you can easily keep abreast of news online and through local and international newspapers.

Internet in Ireland

Broadband is available in Ireland’s main cities and towns, including Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway, Waterford, Kilkenny, Sligo, and Letterkenny. Eircom, now known as eir, is a major provider and offers fibre broadband with speeds up to 1Gbps. Providers like Virgin Media and SIRO also offer competitive speeds in these urban areas.

If you live in rural Ireland, getting fast internet can be a challenge. Rural areas often rely on slower ADSL, limited fibre options, patchy mobile broadband, or even satellite internet.

Internet options in Ireland include:

• ADSL Broadband: Uses a phone line and offers speeds up to 24Mbps, depending on distance from the exchange.
• Fibre Broadband: High-speed fibre-optic cables, offering up to 1Gbps in cities and some rural areas.
• Mobile Broadband: 4G and 5G networks provide wireless internet, with speeds varying by location.
• Satellite Broadband: Available in the most remote areas but with higher latency and possibly lower speeds.

Check internet connectivity before moving to Ireland, especially if your work depends on fast speeds. Coverage can vary significantly by location.

WiFi is widely available in public places like cafés, libraries, and transport hubs, offering a convenient way to stay connected while out and about. Consider using public WiFi to supplement your home internet, especially when travelling or if you experience connectivity issues. Many public spaces offer reliable, high-speed connections free of charge.

Useful links

• eir Broadband
• Virgin Media Ireland
• SIRO Fibre Broadband

Mobile phones in Ireland

The main mobile network providers in Ireland are Vodafone, Three, and eir. Vodafone offers 99 percent 4G population coverage and 5G in select areas. Three provides similar coverage and has 5G available in parts of the country. Eir also boasts 99 percent 4G coverage and 5G in towns and cities across Ireland. All three offer various SIM-only and bill-pay plans.

You can choose from pay-as-you-go packages or a contract. Pay-as-you-go offers flexibility with no fixed monthly costs, making it ideal for light or occasional users. Contracts, on the other hand, give you access to the latest smartphones and allow you to spread the cost over 12 or 24 months, with inclusive minutes, texts, and data allowances.

Several mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs) in Ireland lease capacity from the main networks. These include 48, An Post Mobile, Clear Mobile, GoMo, Lycamobile, Tesco Mobile, and Virgin Mobile, each offering competitive plans that might suit your needs.

To open a postpaid mobile phone contract in Ireland, you’ll need a valid photo ID, proof of address, and a credit or debit card for automatic payments. The provider will also conduct a credit check; a deposit may be required if you have a poor credit history.

Useful links

• Vodafone Ireland
• Three Ireland
• eir Mobile
• GoMo Ireland

English-language media in Ireland

With English as an official language, accessing media in Ireland is straightforward. National newspapers like The Irish Times, Irish Independent, and Irish Examiner offer comprehensive coverage of local, national, and international news in English. Major television channels such as RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, Virgin Media One, and Virgin Media Two provide a wide range of English-language programming, from news and current affairs to entertainment and sports. National radio stations like RTÉ Radio 1, Today FM and Newstalk are also broadcast primarily in English and cover diverse topics.

Irish, the other national language, is spoken by a minority but is used for signage and in certain media, including TG4, the national Irish-language television channel.

There are five main national television stations in Ireland:

• RTÉ One: Offers a mix of news, current affairs, drama, entertainment, and sports programming.
• RTÉ Two: Focuses more on entertainment, sports, and content for younger audiences.
• Virgin Media One: Provides a range of news, entertainment, and lifestyle programming.
• Virgin Media Two: Offers specialised content such as sports, movies, and international programming.
• TG4: Provides programming in the Irish language for Irish-speaking communities.

For satellite and cable TV, options include Saorview, Sky Ireland, Virgin Media Ireland and eir, offering a variety of Irish and international channels. Saorview is a free-to-air digital terrestrial service, while the others require a subscription.

You must have a TV licence to own a television, regardless of whether you use the state-run service or a private satellite or cable provider. The licence fee is collected by An Post and helps fund RTÉ and the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland. It can be paid monthly by direct debit or yearly through the post office. Ensure you have a valid TV licence to avoid fines or penalties.

Useful links

• RTÉ
• Virgin Media Television
• TG4
• Saorview

Postal services in Ireland

Postal services in Ireland, provided by An Post, are reliable and efficient. Standard letter mail within Ireland is typically delivered within 1-2 business days. Parcels sent via An Post's Standard Post service usually arrive within 2-3 business days. For faster, more secure options, An Post offers Registered Post and Express Post, with next-day delivery available for some items.

International mail delivery times vary by destination, but An Post provides dependable service to most countries.

You can post mail at over 1,100 An Post branches across Ireland. Freestanding postboxes are widely available in urban areas for depositing letters and small packages. Many businesses, like newsagents and convenience stores, also act as An Post agents.

Purchasing stamps is easy. You can buy them at any An Post branch, online through the An Post website or mobile app, or from retailers such as newsagents and convenience stores. For businesses or frequent mailers, An Post offers bulk purchasing options.

Useful links

• An Post
• Buy Stamps Online