I think I understand how to use a cell phone in the Republic of Ireland. We're from the US and have a T mobile phone with the required European frequencies. It will soon be unlocked. Thus, to use the phone in Ireland, we only need to buy a prepaid SIM card for Ireland.

Mr. Steves recommends buying the SIM card when we arrive as opposed to buying one before we leave, explaining that the card will be cheaper there (both the card itself and the applicable rates). Although we aren't planning to use the phone except for emergencies, I think it would be nice to have. After all, I'll be driving and may end up in a ditch somewhere........

Anyway, we'll be arriving in Shannon next month and spending the first night in Doolin. If we buy the SIM card after arrival, it sounds like there are different providers and different plans. Any advice on which provider has the best service and the best minute to minute rates within Ireland? Or is it just as cheap to buy one before leaving?

Thanks.

My wife has elderly parents and we opted to pre-purchase a SIM in the US, so that we would know our number BEFORE we left, back in 2003, or 2004. I bought a Vodaphone SIM online for about $50. Since we go back every year, I've kept it active and continue to use it.

Last year, we bought a second SIM, so that my wife would have her own phone. We bought it at a Vodaphone Shop, in Killarney for 10 Euro.

If all you are looking for is voice service, Pay As You Go is pretty standard throughout the Republic of Ireland, as to rates and service. The 'Big Three' are Vodaphone, O2 and Meteor. I BELIEVE that there's very little difference between them, but I chose Vodaphone originally because most of my wife's relatives used them, at the time, and there is some sort of discount rate for calling other phones on the same network (or WAS, at that time).

Perhaps a resident can offer somewhat more informed information. There is a phone store in the Skycourt Shopping Center in Shannon:

http://www.skycourtshannon.com/

Stores:

MG Communications:

Western cellular:

Bob

I think it's better to buy it here. It's one less thing to do when you get there. National Geographic sells them for $39. Last year at DUB, Vodafone was closed for repairs, and we wound up driving to Navan for phones. (Of course, we could have gone next door to O2, but we weren't thinking clearly, after a ten-hour flight.) The process there took us forty minutes, with no line.

Buy it in Ireland. But, remember 02 in Northern Ireland does not marry-up with 02 in the Rep.of Ireland. I don't know about the others but should imagine they are the same.

I don't know what you mean by 'marry-up', but Irish O2 SIM will 'roam' on O2 UK in Northern Ireland (and maybe with other UK operators too), with extra charges for receiving calls and calling out, esp to destination outside EU/EEA. If you are in the border area, you can manually select O2 Ireland by going into the phone's Network menu.

Thanks for the info. Is there a difference between 02, Vodafone, and Meteor and do the local shops selling them typically have all 3 companies' cards in stock?

If it's an Independant Dealer, YES. Obviously, if it is a Company Store, NO.

The two shops in Skycourt Mall, in Shannon, are both Independants. There are other choices in Ennis, but NOT in Doolin.

Bob

Do you know if it's cheaper to buy the SIM in town or at the airport?