dbates12

Hello,
I will be traveling to Ireland in mid-November. I arrive at the Shannon Airport and will pick up a rental car to travel to Ennistymon. I would like to purchase a data card for my mobile WIFI device. I have a Huawei Mobile WIFI E5377. I arrive at 06.00 am, will there be any shops will be open at the airport where I can purchase a data card or does the airport have any automated machines where data cards can be purchased?

Assuming no shops are open, does anyone have suggestions as to a nearby location that I can purchase the data card? I know that there is a Tesco in Ennis. Should I just plan to go there?

I am also willing to purchase the card online and have the card sent to me in advance of the trip if anyone has experience in doing this.

Thanks for your help.

Tony2phones

Sorry no Phone or Data options at SNN Airport.

I use Tesco in the Android phone which allows me to use it as a hotspot but Tesco no longer do specific Data Plans. Ever since 3 took over O2 and provide Tesco Data they don't let Tesco under cut them. There is a 3 shop in Ennis there is also the Eir (formally Meteor) shop. 3 have an "unlimited" data plan (which has limits) and Eir have a limited data plan that would probably work for you. Vodafone are the only other real alternative but I would advise against them for this area when it comes to Data stream signal.

http://www.three.ie/eshop/broadband-...pay-broadband/

https://www.eir.ie/mobile/broadband/prepay/

Forget 4G but you will get 3G most places, Eir has less customes so their servers dont get as overloaded as 3. You could always order a sim to be sent to your 1st accommodation stop.

dbates12

Tony2phones... thank you for the help. Greatly appreciate it.

rs899

I used 3uk on a trip to Netherlands, France and UK and they connected well. If you wish you can buy a SIM on ebay for $2 and top it up and get it roaming in the US before you go(using mobiletopup.co.uk). I did not purchase a data only plan from them but I know they have them.

jefe

Carphone Warehouse did right by me a few weeks back - looks like there is one in Ennis.

Picked up a 3 SIM because I wanted hassle free roaming since we were also going to Northern Ireland. They seemed to have the best plan, if not the best coverage. €20 was all I needed for about 9 days of data (only made a few voice calls, so can't speak to that much).

Tony2phones

Yes Carphone warehouse or Tesco for 3 in Ennis, their own shop has closed