If you live in Ireland, or if you are planning to visit the country in the foreseeable future, you might want to consider getting protection for your devices first.
These days, online protection is becoming more and more of a necessity, as online dangers lurk around every corner.
Not only do you have to worry about online censorship and geo-restrictions, but also about hackers. Even your internet provider and your government might be spying on your online traffic.
However, there is a solution which is easy to get, and even easier to use. We are, of course, talking about using a VPN. There are many of them out there, so choosing the right one can be a lengthy and challenging process.
In this guide, we’ll be helping you choose the correct one and have rounded up and ranked the top 7 choices for use in Ireland in 2023.
So if you need a VPN and you’re looking for the best VPN for Ireland, any of these following seven will keep you secure, protected and help you unlock streaming services like Netflix and more.
Top 7 VPN for Ireland
| RANK | PROVIDER | PRICE | COUNTRY LOCATIONS | SIMULTANEOUS CONNECTIONS | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |  | $6.67 /mo | 94 | 5 | VISIT |
| 2. |  | $2.99 /mo | 62 | 6 | VISIT |
| 3. |  | $6.49 /mo | 60 | ∞ | VISIT |
| 4. |  | $2.75 /mo | 60 | 7 | VISIT |
| 5. |  | $5.00 /mo | 64 | 5 | VISIT |
| 6. |  | $2.99 /mo | 63 | ∞ | VISIT |
| 7. |  | $2.99 /mo | 74 | 10 | VISIT |
1. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best VPN and an extremely fast premium VPN provider that genuinely lives up to its name. It offers excellent speeds and an exceptional level of protection, which is essential if you often use public Wi-Fi or you want to stay secure at home.
Public internet can be used by anyone, meaning that you never know who has connected apart from you. Hackers are known for using this method to steal information from others connected, all around the world, and Ireland is no exception.
Additionally, ExpressVPN offers over 3,000 servers in 160 locations in 94 countries around the world. If you live in Ireland and you wish to browse the web safely, ExpressVPN offers many Ireland-based servers, so you won’t have to worry about getting locked out.
It also has servers in surrounding countries, such as the UK and France, as well as many others.
Due to their impressive speeds, if you want to stream from an online streaming provider like Netflix, then you will have no trouble at all. It unlocks many countries Netflix libraries, including the US Netflix.
ExpressVPN have a strict no-logs policy and has excellent security features such as a built-in kill switch.
Add top security protocols and strong encryption, and it is easy to see why ExpressVPN is among the best. They’re risk-free to try with their 30-day money-back guarantee and right now they’ve offered our readers a massive 49% off their 12-month package.
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Ireland.
Best VPN for Ireland
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2. NordVPN
Next, there is NordVPN, which also offers thousands of servers around the world. This VPN has even more servers than ExpressVPN, with a total of over 5,200 of them in 60 different countries around the world.
There are as many as 27 servers in Ireland, meaning that you can access native Ireland sites from within the country, or from anywhere else in the world. You can even give yourself a new Irish IP address.
There are also over 680 servers in the UK, which allows you to access the UK-based content as well. This is important as the country is infamous for its geo-locked content. NordVPN also works great with BBC iPlayer and even Netflix.
NordVPN includes features such as a built-in kill switch which will ensure your data isn’t leaked if you lose connection to your VPN’s server.
NordVPN also has an easy to use interface that makes using their VPN a pleasurable experience.
The service ranks highly in both user-reviews and across professional VPN, comparison and review websites. With a 30-day money-back guarantee you can try them without risk. If you don’t like them, then get your money back.
NordVPN is one of the best VPNs for Ireland.
3. IPVanish
IPVanish is another provider which offers an excellent VPN app, covering multiple systems and devices, including smartphones, desktops, laptops and alike. It provides an app for Windows, iOS, Mac, Android Linux, and Amazon Fire TV devices, as well as for Smart TVs.
IPVanish allows you to connect to any of its 1,200 servers spread around the globe.
It has a no-logs policy, it’s very user-friendly, and it offers 40,000 IP addresses. Many include Irish IP addresses meaning that you can unlock Ireland-based content from outside of the country or access it from the inside, while protected by 256-bit encryption and several security protocols.
It even supports torrenting and other forms of P2P traffic, which is great for file sharing and downloading. There are no restrictions regarding bandwidth or server switching, meaning that you can connect to any part of the world instantly.
With a built-in kill switch, if you lose connection to your VPN server, they will cut your connection to the internet ensuring none of your data is leaked.
Finally, it allows you to protect up to 10 devices at the same time.
IPVanish has an excellent customer service and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try their VPN before you are locked into your purchase.
All of the above makes IPVanish one of the best VPNs for Ireland.
4. CyberGhost
CyberGhost is yet another popular VPN provider which is perfect for torrenting, unblocking streaming services like Netflix. BBC iPlayer, and others, as well as for browsing the web safely.
With numerous threats online, you need a service like CyberGhost to hide your IP address, protect your online identity, and stay hidden even from the service itself, as it keeps no logs of your online actions.
It uses military-grade encryption, which will ensure that your traffic is safe even if you use public Wi-Fi. Like others, this VPN also offers thousands of servers, some of which are based in Ireland, while others are scattered around Europe and the rest of the world.
There are 3,700 servers in total, with new ones being added all the time including servers in Ireland and surrounding countries. Cyberghost is already covering over 60 countries, with excellent speeds and unlimited bandwidth.
Unlike the other VPNs that offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, CyberGhost offers a HUGE 45-day money-back guarantee.
If you choose CyberGhost VPN I’m sure you’ll be pleased, it is an excellent VPN for Ireland.
5. VyprVPN
Finally, there is VyprVPN – another provider which offers blazing speeds, as well as a completely private, secure, and fully open internet for those visiting or living in Ireland.
It features servers in over 70 location points around the world, with over 700 servers in total included dedicated servers in Ireland itself.
It is particularly useful for bypassing all kinds of firewalls and online censorship thanks to its Chameleon mode, which makes your traffic indistinguishable from the rest.
VyprVPN also features apps for numerous devices and systems, including Android, Mac, Windows, iOS, Smart TVs, Linux, and much more. Further, it offers over 200,000 IP addresses, unlimited server switching, zero caps, restrictions, or logs, and it is incredibly user-friendly.
Like the other providers, VyprVPN offers a 30-day money back guarantee.
This is why I believe VyprVPN is one of the best VPNs for Ireland.
6. Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs around, and one of the best VPNs for a location such as Ireland.
Not only will you be able to find high-speed servers located all over the globe, but Surfshark works exceptionally well with streaming platforms like Netflix. You’ll be able to access up to 15 Netflix regions, which means 10,000+ hours worth of content at your fingertips.
Surfshark has some excellent security features such as their built-in Camo-Mode that shields your VPN usage from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), so they won’t be able to keep logs on what sites you have been visiting.
They also allow you to have unlimited simultaneous connections, so all of your devices will be protected.
With private DNS on every server and AES 256 bit encryption, your data will be secure. Surfshark also boasts a no-logs policy which is something we like to hear.
If you use Sufrshark and aren’t happy, they offer a full 30-day money-back guarantee.
7. PrivateInternetAccess
PrivateInternetAccess has one of the world’s largest collections of VPN servers, a staggering 17674+ servers (and counting) are available for you to connect to at will.
Their large server base covers 74 countries, so you will be able to access content from around the world.
PrivateInternetAccess currently allows you to have 10 simultaneous connections, which will be more than enough for all of your devices, you may even be able to secure your entire family’s devices.
They have over 10 years in the VPN industry and know exactly what they are doing. PrivateInternetAccess has a strict no-log policy, so your privacy is at the top of their priority list.
With prices as low as $2.49/month, the price of their VPN won’t break the bank.
PrivateInternetAccess also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you aren’t happy with their service, you can get your money back. While it’s not as long as CyberGhost’s 45-day money-back guarantee, your investment is risk-free for 30 days.
PrivateInternetAccess is one of the best VPNs for Ireland.
Why you need a VPN in Ireland
There are multiple reasons why you should be considering using a VPN in Ireland but some of the most obvious are:
Protect yourself on Public Wi-Fi
Even as far back as 2014, Irish TV broadcasters RTE were warning users about the dangers of using public Wi-Fi to browse the internet in Ireland.
This is a problem that hasn’t gone away and it’s relatively easy for hackers using the same public Wi-Fi connection to sniff details of what you’re doing online and potentially steal private data about you.
This can include things such as your email address, passwords, etc. To be sold on to third parties.
Without a VPN, you are opening yourself up to online security issues.
Unblock extra content
RTE, EirSport and many of the other Irish TV broadcasters are all well and good but it’s a big world out there. When you use a VPN, you can unblock overseas Netflix catalogues like the American one.
A study by Finder discovered that Irish Netflix has just 47% of the TV shows available on the American Netflix site and only 52% of its movies.
Not a such a great deal for the Irish public is it?
You’ll also be able to unlock much of the UK’s content like BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Channel 4 and others. Plus you’re not limited to just the UK, unblocking Canadian, Australia, Kiwi or other TV services is possible with a VPN.
A VPN’s unblocking capabilities are one of the main reasons I use my VPN. That and stopping third parties from seeing my data, oh and not to forget bypassing internet censorship when I’m travelling.
Stay secure at home
It’s not just while you’re out and about that you need to stay secure online. Hackers, the government, and big business are all trying to vacuum up information about you and what you get up to on the internet.
By selecting a VPN provider from above you can encrypt and protect your internet connection from prying eyes.
Torrent Securely
By connecting to a torrent site, your IP address is revealed, this is something that hackers can use to attempt to access your computer, which is a scary thought.
When you connect to a VPN, your IP address will be masked, blocking out any hacking attempt.
It also means that your ISP can’t see what you are downloading, and why should they? That stuff is between you and yourself.
As you can clearly see, there are many benefits if you use a VPN in Ireland.
Is using a VPN legal in Ireland?
Using a VPN also known as a Virtual Private Network in Ireland is perfectly legal.
VPNs were originally designed to provide companies with an added layer of security while they are using the internet, preventing their confidential information from being leaked online or stolen by hackers.
Over the years, VPNs have gone from commercial products to household necessity.
People like you and I are using VPNs not only to protect ourselves from data leaks but also to access content from other regions, for example; Netflix US.
Using encryption isn’t illegal, most messenger services incorporate encryption into their services nowadays. Companies such as Whatsapp have end-to-end encryption which is common practice in the modern world.
A VPN will protect you from unwanted marketing companies, hackers, your ISP, and even governments from tracking your every step while you are online.
Personally, Irish internet users should be using VPNs, whether its to protect your personal data such as your email address, passwords, bank details, search history, etc. Or whether it is to help with IP masking, keeping you and your IP location hidden from any online snoopers.
Are there any good free VPNs for Ireland?
I love free stuff as much as the next person, however unfortunately there are no free VPN services that are safe to use in Ireland.
In 2017 Australia’s Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) investigated 234 VPN services available for Android.
It was found that more than a third of the free VPN services were using malvertising and malware to track the VPN users activity, this is the complete opposite of what a VPN should be doing.
CSIRO also found that 18% of the free VPNs didn’t encrypt the users’ internet traffic. This is very worrying indeed, as the whole idea of a VPN is to ensure that the end-user (you) is kept safe, secure, and mostly anonymous while you are surfing the internet.
A VPN that fails to keep your data secure is not something you want to mess around with and could land you in a spot of trouble with the law.
“The very reason users install these apps – to protect their data – is the very function they are not performing and these apps have been used by tens of millions of users.” said CSIRO.
However, two services offer a free albeit restricted VPN service, they are:
Tunnelbear
They offer a free version of their VPN service, but you are limited to using it for 500 Mb of data, this is fine for general internet usage such as sending or receiving email, but not good for online streaming services.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN’s free version of their VPN allows you to use their VPN with no data caps.
However, you are limited to a number of servers located in the US, France, and Canada. The free service is slightly slower than their premium, due to the speed limits, crystal clear video streaming might take a bit longer than desired.
A premium service such as ExpressVPN, however, has no data caps, over 3000 servers to connect to in over 94 countries. They also offer the fastest server connection speeds ideal for streaming 4K UHD.
You will also be able to relax knowing that ExpressVPN has your back, unlike those dodgy “free” VPNs that will sell your soul if they could. This is why ExpressVPN is rated as one of the best VPNs for Ireland and top of my list.
What is the best country to set your VPN too?
When it comes to using your VPN, the best servers or countries to connect to are the following.
If you wish to hop outside of the EU, then connecting to nearby UK servers will give you access to content from inside the UK while maintaining relatively fast speeds due to how close the country is to Ireland.
You could also connect to Switzerland, which will still provide you with good speeds, but the main benefit here is the increased privacy, as Switzerland has stringent privacy laws.
However, if you would like to go further afield such as the United States, which is always a good choice as they have so much content available to them that would be blocked over in Ireland.
For example, Netflix US – over 50% larger than most other Netflix regions.
But if you do connect to the US, make sure to use servers on the East coast such as New York, to keep the connection speeds as fast as possible.
Final Thoughts
I’m sure you know the score, in this day and age, online dangers are everywhere.
Hackers are trying to steal your data, your ISP is watching what you are doing at all times, and even your government might be monitoring you for its own reasons (yes, even the Irish government).
Meanwhile, if you use public Wi-Fi – you are also in constant danger, as you never know who you share the connection with.
These are all the problems which you may face in Ireland as well, in addition to being geo-blocked, which will prevent you from accessing your favourite foreign services.
However, you can solve all of these problems instantly with a single move, which is employing a reliable, strong Ireland VPN provider.
Our recommended VPN for Ireland is ExpressVPN. They do cost a euro or two more than the competition but for all the extra features they offer and the quality of their service it’s well worth the added pocket change for a superior service that is the best VPN around.
They work well with streaming services like Netflix and are my top recommendation for Ireland.
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