Bringing Electronics...
 

So, my family and I will be headed out to Ireland from the US in a couple of days...

We were wondering what to do about electronics including laptops, ipods, cell phones, and flat irons...

I believe a converter will have to be purchased, but will this need to be done for chargers as well? (ipod/phone/laptop chargers)

Can you buy adapters there, in Ireland?

Adapters - yes, converters- no.
Adapters are the devices that conform to the shape of the outlets in the place you will be visiting. They are readily available at discount shops, Radio Shack, etc. where they will likely be much cheaper than you would pay in an airport shop. You could find them in Ireland But again will likely pay a premium.
Converters actually modify the voltage and are highly UNreliable, may result in inoperable devices or even pose a fire hazard if not of good (read expensive and bulky) quality and properly used. Fortunately most modern devices do not requir use of a converter as they are built to operate on voltage up to 220 or so. Read the tag on your device and if it says "110-220" you need only an adapter.

You don't need a converter, you need an adapter for the plug ends. Or maybe 2 with all that stuff. Check the small print on the charger plugs. All the chargers I've ever seen will handle a range of 110 to 220 volts, so you just need the adapter.

The exception is the flat iron. The consensus is it's best to buy a flat iron (or a blow dryer) in Europe. US flat irons don't get as hot when using an adapter in Europe. Ditto blow dryers. This is true even if the item has a voltage switch.

You can buy adapters at travel supply stores in the US. And, yes, you can buy adapters in Ireland, but it might be a bit of a search. Or your hotel may be able to supply one.

Thank you both. I'll look into those.

It's saying 100-240v for most of the chargers here.

Correctomundo! I had to buy a flat iron in Argentina for THEIR current and again for the Baltic cruise , in Stockholm!

I have bought a European blow dryer, curling iron, and small flat iron.

After various negative experiences with a dual voltage blow dryer and curling iron, I just gave up and bought inexpensive German ones. The iron is very small and light, but it does the job.

If you do buy items like these in Europe, be sure you have the appropriate adaptor. The plugs in Germany, for instance, are different from those in the U.K. You can get a couple of different adaptors at a luggage store and sometimes at the airport.

If you are renting a car,bring you car chargers for your apple products.

I don't know where you are staying, but I'm pretty confident that they will have a hair-dryer for your use, and most probably an iron too.

you are less likely to find curling irons and straighteners.

The problem with things that generate heat is the Hertz (Htz) Europen systems run on lower levels so US heating elements burn hotter and may damage the appliance (or even you).

Your electronics should be fine. Just check your chargers to make sure they support the higher voltage and lower frequency (50Hz instead of 60Hz). All you'd need is an adapter, which can be found at Walmart/Target for under $15.

Your flat iron I would leave at home and simply buy a cheap one once you get there.

Actually, I'd leave all electronics at home, but that's up to you. Most hotels have public computers; if you're on Verizon or Sprint, your cell phone won't work; I wouldn't want to be lugging around a laptop. If you're on AT&T or T-Mobile, your phone will work, but remember to get an international plan before leaving or you'll be hit with an enormous bill.

Your flat iron I would leave at home and simply buy >>

apart from wondering why you would need a flat iron [called just an iron in the UK BTW, they'll look at you a bit sideways if you ask for a flat iron - what other sort is there?] while you're on holiday?

but just supposing you do, your hotel or apartment is sure to have one.

While the OP has already left for Ireland (and may already be back) I wanted to let annhig know that the flat iron has a new meaning now....it's a hair straightener. Those of us of a certain age know a flat iron as a completely different animal.

I believe that in the US a flat iron (as opposed to a curling iron) is an electric hair styling device (2 sided with warming plates, you slide your hair in and it comes out smooth and straight, ideally). We call an iron that irons clothing just an iron.

oops - I didn't know that.

so you call an iron an iron - i thought that "iron" had a completely different meaning in the US!

Well, golfers also call certain golf clubs "irons," but maybe they do that in the UK too.

I always enjoy learning about what different words are used for the same item in different countries.

Don't feel too bad, annhig. This is a fairly recent phenomenon. And then there is the "flat iron steak." Sigh.

And then there is the "flat iron steak." Sigh.>>

and what, pray, is that?

A cut of beef steak, shaped like an iron. Not seen too often, but coming back I understand. Known as "butlers' steak" in the UK according to our Wikipedia friends.

And here in Toronto we have a famous landmark building called the "flat iron building" because it's shaped like, you guessed it - an iron!

And I will indeed be bringing my trusty flat iron to Ireland next month.