What is the current availability of wireless Internet in Ireland? Available in most major hotels? What are the costs? Is it free anywhere? As I travel more, I love to blog on site, but that all depends how available wireless is. It's too difficult trying to work in an Internet cafe each day.

I am also interested in this and cannot find other posts that address this. Going to Dublin and the usual Cork/Kerry circuit with Kinsale, Kenmare, Dingle and then Shannon. How easy will it be to find wi-fi? And especially free or easy to access wi-fi??

I was in Ireland a couple of months ago and could not find wifi. Ended up spending €1 or £1 for 15 or 20 minutes at libraries or internet shops to check email.

Wow. Worse than I expected for a county that was very into hi tech recently. Were the hotels that bad (even if you paid for it??)

See http://www.lookintoireland.com/wifi.htm
As you can see, free wifi is few and far between in Ireland. While most hotels are equipped with wifi, it's rarely free and charges of 10 euro for 12 hours and 20 euro for 24 hours are common.
If you have a 3G-enabled unlocked phone, you can buy a SIM card for 20 euro and then pay a daily rate of 0.99 euro up to 50MB of mobile internet. Remember, though, the coverage is only good in cities and major towns, and non-existant in rural areas.

Try the local McDonalds if all else fails - no matter where you are IME - sometimes it's free sometimes a charge - same for Starbucks and other similar ilk

I've actually been able to find quite a few hotels and B&Bs that say they have free internet or wireless. Now, we'll see when we actually get there...

When are you actually getting there KTtravel ?? We won't be ther until very late August so maybe you can let us know! Was not planning on or needing to do a lot of calling or internet, but sometime just a bit of access is extremely handy.

If B&B or a family hotel say they have free internet or wifi, you can assume you can get it free. In most 3-star hotels and up, internet access is generally payable, by up to 20 euro for 24 hours.
Other sources of free wifi, like McD's or Starbucks, vary widely. More likely in Dublin, Cork or Galway, less likely or non-existent in smaller places.

We are in Ireland for a total of 3 weeks, staying at 9 bed and breakfasts. Of the 9 bed and breakfasts, 7 had free wifi and 1 had a computer with free internet for guests to use. In Dublin, we do not have wifi or free internet, but the building next door has an unsecured network. I did research prior to the trip to make reservations at places with free wifi.

Lia18...Am I to assume by your post that You are bringing your own laptop?

Yes, I have my laptop. I have a very small one so it's very convenient.

Looks like we have been spoilt in the US where free WiFi is normal in hotal and a lot of public places. I have not been to any hotel recently that charges for WiFi.