Mobile data services from Eir are currently down. This means mobile internet access for Eir voice and mobile broadband services, along with Gomo mobile internet access are currently down. You may not notice this while at home as you are connected to Wi-Fi, only to find if you head out you have no internet access.
Website Down Detector shows a significant rise in network issues being reported since 1:30pm today for both Eir and Gomo, with mobile internet specifically being reported. It appears to be impacting customers on both prepay and bill pay.
To conflate issues, users on Twitter are also saying that Eir’s customer care number, 1901, is also not working.
Eir is responding to customers with a copy and paste repsonse , asking customers to “please send [them ]a DM with your details and [they] will help you out”. But no further information is currently available.
In a comment to Goosed.ie, Eir stated they “experienced a brief, intermittent outage this afternoon that affected some fixed line and mobile customers. The issue has since been fully resolved and services are operating normally”.
Comedian, musician and social media star Garron Noone has reactivated his social media accounts after a brief hiatus. Noone had deactivated his account following a backlash that surrounded two posts he created in which he discussed various topics including Conor McGregor and immigration. What followed was a national debate on Noone’s comments which led to outpourings of support for the creator and massive critism too.
In his latest post tonight, Noone said, “this is the last time I’m going to discuss this particular topic” before he gets back to what he wants to do, which is “having the craic”. In a comment on the post, he added “I stand by what I said in my first video, this video will clarify any points I seen that were taken up differently to how I meant them, and this will be my last word on it”.
In the 9-minute video, which has been posted on TikTok which you can watch below, Noone confirmed he had taken down his own accounts to avoid reacting with emotion and that he decided to remove himself for a little while and clear his head.
He thanked the people who supported him, but also those who criticised him saying that it’s important debate takes place to ensure nefarious actors can’t hijack vacuums of silence.
The creator also said he took accountability for how he worded some of his points and said they were too vague, and open to interpretation.
You should watch the full video below rather than my notes on it. But I am personally glad to see him back and that he’s doing well because that was some horrific pressure to be under. I hope that we soon see him shouting at cups of tea again. I also hope as a nation we’ve learned something from this experience. Whether it be the importance of wording, context, discussion or something else.
Yesterday, popular social media creator, comedian and musician Garron Noone deactivated his social media accounts. The deactivation of his accounts, seemingly his own choice after backlash to videos he posted earlier in the day.
I’m not going into the content of what Garron said. I watched them and moved on after consuming someone’s opinion. That’s personally how I feel the world should work. But what Garron has experienced since, amid accusations of dog-whistling to the far-right, can’t be described as less than an internet dog pile.
A couple of years ago, I did some mental health training. I got to learn some incredibly valuable skills. It’s impossible for me to look at this situation like some sort of veteran superstar dealing with the tax of fame. Instead, I see someone who is a very normal “guy next door” type being pulled apart, disproportionate to what he said.
Regardless of whether you agreed with what he said or didn’t say, the goal should be discourse – not dog piling and a rush to “cancel” someone.
My immediate reaction to the backlash was to want to support Garron Noone the person. Not because I agree with him, but because I can have empathy for a fellow human being. I’ve never met him, but he seems a generally nice guy. While I can see understand some might take issue with what he said and how it was said, there wasn’t anything that couldn’t be addressed by conversation and openness to education knowledge sharing. But instead, everything got dialled up to 100% and now we’re left here with no discourse at all on the topic.
All I could think about last night was the pressure Garron must have felt. Pressure that built to the point where he pulled down his social accounts. These social accounts have been built up over a year or two and are Noone’s path to a living. Yet, he thought it’s best to deactivate them.
Today, every second video on TikTok is an account weighing in on the subject. Everyone has an opinion.
As a result, some of Garron’s fellow creators have emerged with public support for him.
Miriam Mullins posted late last night saying “he’s not racist. That’s ridiculous”.
Eric Roberts, who has also experienced a large rise to social media fame in recent years, said “the internet can be a scary place, but this man [Noone] has always made it a brighter, funnier, happier place”.
Entrepeneur and motoring creator, Nadia Adan, also supported Noone. The two have featured in a few skits together, stating she was “horrified” by the treatment Noone received and that he is “he is the most kindest soul, the most gentle person”.
Now. You’ve read this much and I already know there are some who will call for my head just because I haven’t denounced something or agreed with something. And that’s grand.
But all I’m asking is that you consider the people behind the content and the impact that such a dog pile brings.
Another creator, Daragh Fleming, weighed in focusing on similar. Let’s just remember we’re all human.
Whatever about whether you agree or disagree with Garron Noone or anyone else. All of this is definitely impacting his mental health. His accounts are all deactivated. I can only imagine how intense this all is and I hope someone close to him is checking in
Yesterday, Amazon launched its dedicated website for Ireland, Amazon.ie. The company said the launch would give customers in Ireland access to “over 200 million products with low prices in Euro, and fast, convenient delivery and returns”. However, there’s been a very mixed response to the launch
One-Day Delivery
One positive element I’ll kick off with is the quick deliveries. I ordered some things I had my eye on for some time yesterday. My first orders from Amazon.ie. The order was placed around 6pm on Tuesday and was delivered at 2pm Wednesday. That’s pretty cool I have to say.
The great thing about getting this order in early was that, even though I’m happy with my products and going to keep them, I could see what the return process would look like.
The Returns Process
One element that was an absolute “must improve” for me with Amazon.ie launching in Ireland was returns. I largely decide who I shop online based on how easily they will let me return products.
I was initially shocked to see what seemed to be a worse return process. But this was because I had first selected “No Reason for Return” which meant I would have to pay €3.99 and print a label to return the product at my local An Post location.
However, I then selected a reason such as “Item is defective or does not work” I can either choose a refund or replacement. In either case, a defective item will get a free return through An Post.
It’s still annoying that I have to print my own label, in a world where label-free returns are incredibly possible to do. Just look at the likes of ASOS and countless other clothes brands.
Pricing
Amazon.ie’s pricing is very much a mixed bag right now. I spent yesterday comparing various products and I have to say that largely, Amazon.ie doesn’t hold up well against Amazon.co.uk or European Amazon stores such as Amazon.de.
I could find examples of every scenario. Whether that be Ireland being cheaper or more expensive than other stores, with plenty just being the same too.
However, the mixed pricing has done little to instil confidence amongst Irish shoppers looking to switch over to Amazon.ie from Amazon.co.uk, leaving everyone sure of only one thing. You have to shop around to ensure you’re getting the best price.
Product Selection
Alongside the returns process, the most disappointing element of Amazon’s Irish launch is the still limited product selection. I can only assume this is going to improve over time.
The first thing I checked was Anker Powerbanks, knowing this was always going to be the first product many were interested in; a fact confirmed in my TikTok comments.
While some Anker powerbanks are available, an improvement from my own recent research, none are available on next day delivery. In fact, they have rather long lead times. This suggests that they are still shipping from other distribution centres.
Hopefully this is addressed in the near future for ranges far beyond just power banks. I’ve had hundreds of comments on my TikToks surrounding the launch, many of which address the limited product range and higher pricing on Amazon.ie.
Supporting Amazon
Another key trend to emerge in my comments was people just not wanting to support Amazon or Jeff Bezos. It’s a conflict of convenience and supporting a company with ties to Donald Trump and poor treatment of workers.
There’s also the question of just what impact this launch will have on Irish businesses who either choose to compete or comply with Amazon practice.
Lost Features on Amazon Prime Ireland
Finally, some features have not carried over to Amazon Prime Membership in Ireland. While Amazon celebrates Prime being cheaper in Ireland, it is for a reason. While the migration to Amazon.ie meant lost of order histories and both lists and wishlists, features were also lost. Family sharing and Prime Reading don’t feature in Prime Ireland.
Many have asked what impact there is on Prime Video. From what I can see, there’s no change. I was already on an EU-level account, but time will tell if that changes or not.
Overall, Amazon.ie feels like a mediocre port of various international Amazon websites instead of a truly dedicate Ireland website. However, I’m sure that will evolve over time as Amazon carves out an identity and footprint in Ireland. Just how much people want that, remains debatable, but The Journal’s poll which shows 70% of Irish shoppers would use Amazon suggests it’s unavoidable.
Today, Google launches the Pixel 9a. The “a” series is Google’s answer to offer reasonably good specs to the mid-range smartphone market. Here are the key points to know about on this new Pixel smartphone.
Guaranteed Software Updates
Let’s face it. Smartphone hardware launches have become an increasingly dull affair. More and more the focus is on device software features. For this reason, it’s great to see Google committing to 7 Years of OS and security updates.
But don’t forget that this doesn’t mean your phone won’t lack features in the future. It’s possible, if not likely, that some new AI-feature will emerge in that 7 years that requires a particular processor, meaning you will need to upgrade to enjoy full functionality.
But, Google does indicate that “Pixel Drops” will keep your phone fresh as new software is made available.
The guarantee means the phone will be completely usable and secure for as long as you likely have it, and to be honest, far longer.
Camera
The Google Pixel range has always found a beautiful balance between hardware and software, particularly in the camera. The Pixel 9a will hopefully strike that balance again with a 48 MP main camera and 13 MP ultrawide camera.
This is the first Google Pixel “A-series” phone that features macro focus photography options.
But Pixel phones are also a bit of a photography playground. I’m interested to see how the “Add Me” function works. With this you can take a group photo, swap photographers and take another. The Pixel 9a will then merge the two photos, ensuring no one is left out.
The Pixel 9a will also feature a wide range of Google’s AI image editing suite.
Google Gemini as Standard
Unsurprisingly, the Pixel 9a is also home to Google Gemini. Gemini is like having a smart, always-on assistant in your pocket. Just press and hold the power button to start writing, planning, or learning, whatever you need at that moment.
Gemini can pull up details from your Gmail, suggest places in Maps, or help with whatever’s on your screen. Want a more natural way to chat? With Gemini Live, you can just talk, no need to stick to one topic or even finish your sentence before switching gears.
I’m really interested to see how Google has integrated Gemini into a phone’s flow. No one has really nailed this yet in my eyes.
More Premium Design
The Pixel 9a should feel a lot more premium than your average mid-range smartphone. This will be in no small part down to the phone’s metal frame and scratch-resistant display. The Pixel 9a is also IP68 rated, so it can handle water and dust.
Google also promises that the device will last beyond a day with over 30-hours battery packed in.
The Google Pixel 9a will be available from the Google Retail store, with Irish retailers TBC from early April. We hope to have a full review completed in the near future.
Dublin City University (DCU) was buzzing with excitement as 70 Irish Girl Guides showcased their skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at the FIRST LEGO League Challenge Regional. The day saw fourteen teams from across Ireland compete, demonstrating their innovation, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities through cutting-edge projects and robot design.
Octonaughts Take the Top Prize
Among the competitors were The Octonaughts, a four-Girl Guide team from Lucan Unit. They emerged victorious as this year’s Regional Champions. Their winning project focused on Sonar Technology and its impact on sperm whales.
The team explored the frequencies used in sonar technology and their effects on marine life. Their innovative solution proposed a sonar system that integrates whale echolocation clicks into sonar technology, minimizing harm to these magnificent creatures.
Their exceptional research, connection to FIRST LEGO League Core Values, and impressive robotic control skills secured them a well-deserved place in the Ireland Final, which will take place on Saturday, April 12th. There, they will compete against other top teams from across the country.
“This event is a testament to the incredible talent, passion, and commitment of our Girl Guides,” said Katie Keogh, Irish Girl Guides LEGO Representative and Mosney Unit Brownies and Guides Leader. “Each team has worked incredibly hard, and we are beyond proud of their achievements”.
It wasn’t the only win on the day as various other Guides gathered awards on the day:
Robot Game Award – Squashed Squids (Macalla Guides)
Robot Design Award – Winnie Fish (St. Brendan’s Guides)
Innovation Project Award – Coral Creators (North Longford Senior Branch)
Core Values Award – Awesome Octonauts (Dilse Senior Branch)
Rising All-Star Award – The Gills (St. Brendan’s Guides)
Breakthrough Award – Merlin Dolphins (St. Nicholas & Merlin Wood Guides)
Motivate Award – Deep Blue Divas (Mosney Guides)
Irish Girl Guides has 10,000 members across Ireland. Guiding started in Ireland in 1911 and operates throughout the 26 counties with 1,600 volunteer Leaders providing an informal educational programme of fun and challenging activities that foster confidence and leadership skills in girls and young women, enabling them to develop to their full potential and to become responsible citizens.
Not too long ago, I bought you the news that Google had made the original PebbleOS open source and that the founder of Pebble was planning to release a new watch. Well, that day is here.
Today, two new PebbleOS watches went live for pre-order; the Core Devices Core 2 Duo (€135) and Core Time 2 (€205).
The two devices will only be available online via pre-order and will not be in stores anywhere, but they are shipping globally thankfully.
Core 2 Duo
The Core 2 Duo is the entry-level PebbleOS wearable from Core Devices. It’s the embodiment of what Pebble was back in the day. It features a simple black and white display and polycarbonate frame.
This will be the choice for people seeking the truest form of the original Pebble Watch. This watch is also available a little earlier, shipping from July.
Core Time 2
A little more expensive but feature rich is the Core Time 2. This has a larger 64-colour display and metal frame. You will have to wait a little longer for this watch as it won’t ship until December.
Why Are These Devices Exciting?
When Pebble originally launched, it was a unique view on wearables. Instead of focusing on high definition and features galore, Pebble focused on simplicity and battery life. These new PebbleOS devices offer up to 30 days battery life, improved Bluetooth, water resistance and both step and sleep tracking.
I will say out the gates, this isn’t the wearable for everyone – but there are people who want more than a regular wristwatch but not all the bells and whistles of an Apple Watch. And for those people, Pebble OS watches from Core Devices are a very interesting option.
It’s been quite a while coming, as today marks the launch of Amazon’s dedicated website, Amazon.ie. As a result, Amazon says shoppers in Ireland now have direct access to 200 million products with fast and convenient delivery and easier returns.
I’ve just given the transition to Amazon.ie a quick test, moving my Prime membership from the UK site to the Irish site. Amazon.ie’s Prime membership costs €6.99 per month or €69.90 for the year. You save just under €14 when you pay annually. The process was clean with a 30 day free trial and my last UK Prime membership refund immediately being initiated; but it will take a few days to be paid back.
The launch also means you can now easily buy Amazon products like the Amazon Fire Stick much easier, as UK says to Ireland were previously restricted. Beyond the typical products, Amazon.ie will also soon feature an Irish brands section including Barry’s Tea, Bewley’s, and Ella & Jo.
To celebrate the launch, you’ll save €10 when you spend €50 on Amazon.ie.
Speaking about the launch, Amazon Country Manager for Ireland, Alison Dunn, said “our teams across the country are unbelievably proud and incredibly excited to launch Amazon.ie.The store brings a wide selection of great value products with fast delivery to customers in Ireland, a local Prime membership with incredible benefits and savings, and lots of opportunities for Irish businesses to reach more customers. We have been building towards this moment since the launch of our fulfilment centre in Dublin in 2022, and we can’t wait to write the next chapter of our story in Ireland”.
I envisage some headaches for Amazon customers in Ireland transitioning. While the process itself is simple, there are going to be features missing or benefits lost for Irish customers. It’ll take me a few days to find them all, so watch this space. There are also some product gains lacking that I had hoped for. For example, Anker powerbanks are still not available from the Irish distribution centre. You can buy them, but you’ll be waiting for a few days.
It’s never ideal when your phone network has an outage, but it’s even more annoying over a bank holiday weekend. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what Three customers are facing over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, as customers are reporting missing credit and loss of access to calls and mobile data.
Update: Three has confirmed that service has been restored to affected customers. If you have lost credit, the network has also said that “Three can confirm that no customer will lose credit due to this issue, and we are working to ensure that any impacted customers are credited appropriately in the coming days”.
Three’s St. Patrick’s Weekend Outage
In the early hours of Sunday morning, reports began emerging that Three prepay customers noticed their prepay credit was going missing and mobile data was not working. One Redditor stated online they weren’t “due to top up for another 2 weeks and woke up with all ‘my [their] credit used up”. Another Reddit user commented, stating, “mobile data is not working at all”, while customer care confirmed voice services are also affected.
Customers also took to Three’s own forum, 3Community, to voice concerns. One customer saying they “[topped up their] number on 14th March, but today (16th March) around 1 AM, I suddenly do not have any allowance and do not have access to text, phone and internet”. In this thread and others, several other customers report the same issues.
I myself am on Three prepay and have been completely unaffected, however I have a family member who is affected, by both credit loss and loss of data services. Which points to a partial explanation of the issue.
I have one of Three’s newer plans. I top up every month and the credit on my account is immediately “taken” and put towards my plan.
My family member is on a much older plan. With these plans, when you top up your plan is activated, but you keep the credit in your balance. You can then use this credit on out of bundle calling, texting, roaming or by buying using “pay with mobile” style services.
It would appear that these older customers groups are affected while newer customers are not. Typically with technology, legacy systems are more difficult to maintain in-line with modern updates. I would imagine this is what happened here.
The timing is also aligned to a potential systems update. Another Redditor stated they “work night shifts, right around 23:50 my allowances shut off working even though I topped up only 10 days ago”. This would be a fairly typical time for a system update to start rolling out.
Three’s Response to the Outage
I’ve reached out to Three for comment and will update the article as soon as that response comes in. Three’s customer care is active over the weekend both on phones and web chat. Their web chat agents clarified that “some Three prepay customers are experiencing issues with price plans and bundles allowances”. They also confirmed that both data and voice services are also impacted leaving customers “unable to use call and data services”.
The agent added that, “Three’s technical team is working to resolve this disruption”.
18/03/2025: Updated with comment from Three on network status and credit restoration.
This is for information only. Pricing is correct as of 14 September 2025. Please see network provider websites for the latest prices, connection types, fees and detailed terms and conditions.
I’ve stood back and looked at the Irish SIM-only market over the past few years and the gloves have come off. First of all, Eir’s GOMO network really kicked things off with their Ryanair-style approach to SIM-only plans. Three’s 48 was next in line while Vodafone recently launched Clear Mobile to take the two on. So, if you’re in the market right now for a new SIM-only plan, which network should you go with? I’m going to show you the best value on the market today and a little further down the page, I’ll tell you why these SIM-only plans can probably save you money.
Calculating the value of a SIM-only plan is fairly simple. The primary thing I’m looking at is the price over 12 months. This means I can also cater for 6-month introductory offers and things like that. I’ll also include what you get for your money. This means you’ll have both the price and what you get for your money. Value is very subjective, so I think this is the fairest way to go.
The cheapest operators mentioned here all offer unlimited calls and texts within Ireland. A fair usage usually applies but it’s so generous you won’t need to worry about it.
48 – Ireland’s Cheapest SIM-only Plan with 5G
Monthly: €12.99
Activation Fee: €12.99
12-month price: €168.87
Year Two Cost: €155.88
48 is Three’s value-focused network. Originally, 48 targeted people between the age of 18 to 22, but this is just who the brand targeted. It was never a rule that was enforced. Today, 48 still targets the youth market while also being Three’s value network to take on Eir’s GOMO and Vodafone’s Clear Mobile.
48’s big plan is €12.99. The big advantage here over the likes of Virgin Media is that your plan will be €12.99 for life. While year one costs €168.87 because of the network activation fee, year two with 48 will cost €155.88. The good news being the price going up like Virgin Media’s price does.
48 now offers 5G for free to all customers on this plan. This makes them Ireland’s cheapest SIM-only plan with 5G, consistently.
On 48’s €12.99 plan, you get 200GB of data, all calls, and all texts. If roaming in the EU, you’ll have 14GB of data to use. This is taken out of your 200GB. You also get your second month free which negates the connection fee.
Another nice thing that 48 offers is a free trial of their network. You can order a free SIM online which will let you try out 1GB of data without any risk. Unique to 48 is also the ability to save, share or donate excess data that you don’t use, which means you can even donate 50c per 1GB you don’t use to charity.
48 is ahead of Clear Mobile by the skin of its teeth, with only Clear Mobile’s 5G speed throttling at 25Mbps putting it into second place.
This is for: Shoppers looking for value and Ireland’s cheapest mobile plan who know they’ll forget to shop around again. Value seekers who like to try before they buy, removing risk.
Doing things a little differently is Clear Mobile. Earlier I compared GOMO to Ryanair, but truly this title now rests with Clear Mobile. Their own website even says “cherry not included”.
Clear Mobile is a €12.99 per month plan. There’s also a €12.99 connection fee but your first month is free. That effectively gives you an annual cost of €155.88 in your first year.
One of the network’s big differences is that Clear Mobile sidesteps being unable to use the word “unlimited” by offering genuinely unlimited quantities of data download. It’s only a matter of time until they are pulled up on this because the data is limited, just not in the way the Irish market traditionally does it.
Intially, instead of giving you a data quantity cap, Clear Mobile limited your internet speed to 5Mbps. Now the network offers you both 4G and 5G access, however the max speeds on 5G is just 25Mbps. Which is enough for many, but it’s a bizzare limit.
For some multitasking users, that will simply be too slow, but don’t let it put you off completely.
Clear Mobile had toyed with different pricing based on the network you’re joining from, but right now it’s €12.99 for everyone. In terms of cost, it’s on par with 48, but those data limits do knock it down the pecking order a little.
This is for: Patient people who stream over 40 hours of HD Netflix videos per month without WiFi and know Three’s network (ie 48) doesn’t work.
Sky Mobile is Ireland’s newest network after launching in September 2024. The standard price for their unlimited plan is now €12.99 per month for the first year, rising to €15 in year two.
This means you get your monthly usage for €15 per month or €155.88 per year in year one rising to €180 in year two.
Sky Mobile is a nice route to go if you would like to get a phone in a couple of months time. The network’s unique offering is a 0% APR agreement over 24 or 36 months where the phone and airtime agreement is always separate.
Lyca Mobile – Ireland’s Cheapest SIM-Only Plan for 12 Months
Monthly: €15
Activation Fee: €0
12-month cost: €120
Year Two Cost: €240
I can’t ignore Lyca Mobile anymore when it comes to offering value in the Irish SIM-only market. Lyca Mobile now offers 5G and is technically Ireland’s cheapest mobile plan at just €10 per month. It’s a worthy opponent to 48’s offering and just misses out due to the longevity of value Lyca Mobile gives.
What I mean by that is that while 48’s €12.99 is a lifetime offer, Lyca Mobile’s €10 per month price is normally €20 per month. That 50% discount is for the first 12 months. This means in year two, your annual cost shoots up to €240 in year two.
However, at €10 per month including 5G, and unlimited everything with a sprinkling of international calls, I do have to mention it. Just remind yourself to switch in 12 months if there’s something better on the market. You also only get this €10 per month offer it you activate automatic renewal and if your payment fails, you will lose the offer.
If you’re into some tech novelty or are looking for the best SIM card to get when travelling to Ireland, Lyca Mobile also offers eSIM.
This is for: You’re looking for the outright cheapest plan right now and do some international calls. Maybe you’re running a side hustle and need a cheap “business number”.
Virgin Media’s offers make them a tricky customer. Their prices fluctuate regularly and often change after a few months of an introductory offer. They were previously the cheapest plan in Ireland. While they still are for the introductory period, they become quite expensive when that ends.
Right now, whether you are an existing Virgin Media customer or not, you can get a Virgin Media SIM-only plan for €15 per month for life. A relatively new idea for Virgin Mobile getting a little buit more aggressive in the mobile market. This includes unlimited calls, texts and data. For Virgin Media, their unlimited truly means unlimited these days too.
Virgin Media runs on the Three network and while you will only be able to get 4G it’s a fantastic offering right now. A big “but” here is coming. After 12 months, your monthly plan will increase to €25 per month. This means your first year with Virgin Media Mobile is €240 but year two is €300. So remember to shop around again in 12 months’ time.
This is for: If you’re a Virgin Media broadband or TV customer, that 12 month price is standard. If you add multiple accounts, the price drops as low as €15 per month. It’s still not best in market though.
GOMO was the network that really kicked the price war off between the three major sub-brands of Eir, Three and Vodafone. Previously, GOMO had the cheapest plan in Ireland, but they must now sit in third place. On top of the €14.99 monthly fee for your plan, there’s also a €14.99 connection fee which gets added to the first 12 months. The connection fee is a fairly annoying part of the deal. While this suggests there’s a cost associated with creating an account, the connection fee always matches the monthly fee so it really is just another way for GOMO to make some money.
GOMO does have one advantage for heavier data users versus both 48 and Clear Mobile as they offer 20GB more data per month than 48 and 4G speeds as opposed to Clear Mobile’s restricted 5Mbps.
If you’re going travelling in Europe, GOMO lets you use your full allowance of calls and texts while roaming in the EU along with 10GB of data per month. That 10GB does get taken out of your overall 120GB.
This is for: Someone who knows they need 120GB of data and or who tried 48’s free SIM and didn’t like it.
There are other networks out there. For a small country, Ireland has quite a few operators on the market. But, regardless of who you pick from the lot, you will still be connecting to either the Eir, Three or Vodafone mobile network. Below is a full comparison of Ireland’s mobile networks and the base operator you’ll be connecting with.
Provider
Monthly
Base Network
Offer
12-month cost
Data
Speed
48
€12.99
Three
No
€155.88
200GB
Up to 100Mbps
Gomo
€14.99
Eir
First month free
€194.87
120GB
Up to 100Mbps
Sky Mobile
€12.99
Vodafone
€12.99 per month for one year
€240
Unlimited**
Up to 100Mbps
Clear Mobile
€12.99
Vodafone
€12.99 for life
€155.88
Unlimited
Up to 5Mbps
Lyca Mobile
€20
Three
50% off
€120
60GB
Up to 100Mbps
Virgin Mobile
€15
Three
N/A
€180
80GB
Up to 100Mbps
Tesco Mobile
€20
Three
Double data with Clubcard
€240
100GB
Up to 100Mbps
Comparison of Ireland’s Cheapest SIM-only Deals Right Now | *Clear Mobile price dependent on joining conditions outlined in article **Unlimited terms are TBC
Why Choose SIM-only?
There are loads of reasons why people end up buying SIM-only plans. Most of the time, it’s because you’ve been given a phone from someone else or bought an unlocked phone directly from a shop or manufacturer like Apple and just need a SIM card. You should always do the maths before you commit to a contract. Irish networks will offer you phones, sometimes without charging upfront, to get you into a 24-month contract. It’s often cheaper to buy the phone outright yourself from somewhere like Apple and grab a SIM-only connection.
We’re often asked questions about picking plans on our Twitter or other social pages. Here are some of the most asked questions we’ve come across when it comes to picking your new network.
Why would anyone pick Eir, Three or Vodafone over GOMO, 48 or Clear Mobile?
The “home networks” like Eir, Three or Vodafone might suit better if you are looking for some of the frills with a network. This might include your need for a new phone to be paid off over the duration of a contract, access to 5G mobile internet or special offer bundles like home TV and Broadband. Another example is loyalty programmes are often reserved for the main network.
Is GOMO as fast as Eir?
Technically, GOMO 4G and Eir 4G should be as fast as each other. Some things like the number of people using the network in an area might influence this. One big difference is that Eir also offers 5G, so if you have a 5G phone and are in a 5G area, you will be able to enjoy very fast mobile internet. But 4G is more than enough for most.
Is Clear Mobile as fast as Vodafone?
No. This is where Clear Mobile is very different to the other discount networks. 48 and GOMO offer 4G internet without a speed restriction. Clear Mobile does limit your speed to 5Mbps which is slower than the Vodafone network and the other discount networks. Remember though, speed always depends on where you are and 5Mbps is still fast enough to watch Netflix.
Is the 48 network as good as the Three network?
Like GOMO and Eir, there’s no real technical reason for there to be any difference between the 48 and Three network. Again, one exception is that Three does offer the option of 5G which means very fast mobile internet.
Why choose SIM-only?
If you already have a phone and just need a connection, then SIM-only offers a great bit of value. Even if you need a new phone, check out how much you would spend over 24 months getting a network contract versus buying the phone outright and getting a SIM-only deal.
What network are the discount networks based on?
48, Virgin Mobile, Lyca Mobile and Tesco Mobile all use the Three network. GOMO uses Eir while Clear Mobile runs on the Vodafone network.
What is Ireland’s cheapest SIM-only plan?
Right now, Virgin Media offers Ireland’s cheapest plan for the best value. It’s €10 per month which is €120 per year. But that’s just the first year. Remember the plan does increase to €25 per month in year two.
What are connection fees?
Connection fees are an initial charge from some networks for you to join their network. It’s usually the same fee as one month’s rental. So if your plan is €14.99 the network will likely charge you a €14.99 fee, making the total cost of joining €29.98.
Why do networks have connection fees?
These plans are really cheap in a competitive market. By adding connection fees, networks are trying to discourage you from changing networks regularly.
What about Lyca Mobile?
From time to time Lyca Mobile may actually be the cheapest network to avail of in Ireland. They also offer eSIM. They are hard to get in touch with if something goes wrong though, so we generally don’t recommend them on that basis.
