After reading tons of suggestions and ideas on cell phones, we got an unlocked phone from eBay, and we are wondering if there is any store at Shannon airport where we can buy the SIM card. Or should we order it online? If so, can you please recommend a web site for an Ireland SIM card?

We’ll be in the West and South-West of Ireland, leaving in 3 weeks – are the SIM cards ‘attached’ to a certain provider? If so, which one has better coverage in that area?
Thanks

There is no longer a MOBILE PHONE kiosk/store IN the Shannon Airport. The nearest would be in the shopping center in Shannon town (follow the signs to Town Center. The Big Three providers in Ireland are Vodaphone, O2 and Meteor. Back when I purchased my SIM, best coverage was a toss-up between Vodaphone and O2, with Meteor only slightly lagging. That was a few years ago, though so I imagine Meteor has 'caught up'. Coverage is RARELY an issue.

Bob

Here's a link to the Shannon Mobile Phone shop, courtesty of IrishEyes, from another thread:

http://www.skycourtshannon.com/

Western Cellular at the Shannon Sky Court Mall.

A SIM purchased in Ireland will cost about 10 Euro with a small amount of call credit included. One purchased Stateside will run about $50. The only advantage to pre-purchasing would be if you POSITIVELY, ABSOLUTELY MUST know your Irish Mobile Number PRIOR to departure.

Bob

IC, great info (as always) ¡V thanks a lot. We absolutely do not need to know the phone number in advance; we¡¦ll use the phone just for emergencies, to let our B&B we might be late, to make reservations, and call for help if our car dies in the middle of nowhere.

For that price difference, I guess our first stop in Ireland will be the mall ļ

We were going to stop in Shannon anyway for breakfast (we¡¦ll arrive at 6:30 am) and somebody here suggested the Oakwood Arms Hotel. By the time we land, go through customs, get our car and have breakfast, the mall will open and we can get our SIM card, then be on our way to Clifden.

As an alternative, is there a place in Clifden where we can get the SIM card? Thanks

Can't say for certain about Clifden, but I would be VERY much suprised if there weren't. Ennis and Galway would also be alternatives and might help to 'break up' your trip.

Bob

Well, I emailed our B&B hosts – they told us that we can buy the SIM card in Clifden, which is great. So we have all these options, we’ll be fine. Thank you all.

I had my cell phone and needed to buy an Irish SIM card when we arrived at Shannon. There was no store at the airport, so I bought mine in Gort on our way to Headford, north of Galway. Very easy to stop there on your way to Clifden. The phone store is on the right hand side of the road as you pass through Gort. It opens at 9am. I bought a Vodaphone SIM card and it worked great.