Best VPNs for Ireland in 2024 for security and speed

Your online security is more vulnerable than you might think in today’s digital age. Every click, search, and streamed video is a potential entry point for unwanted intruders. But, with the best VPNs for Ireland, you can take control of your online security and privacy, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable online experience while also gaining access to a world of geographically restricted global content.

Have you ever been annoyed by the ‘content not available in your region’ message when trying to access Irish content while abroad? A VPN for Ireland is the answer. It’s as simple as clicking a button. By hiding your real IP address and replacing it with one from the main cities in Ireland, you can unlock a world of content that was previously inaccessible. Imagine enjoying your favorite streaming platforms from any corner of the globe, without any hassle.

We’ve compiled our list of the best VPNs for Ireland through exhaustive testing, and we’ve distilled this research into this article. You’ll find detailed reviews of each VPN as well as step-by-step instructions on how to use them and answers to common VPN questions. But in case you’re short on time, we’ll start with a quick summary:

1. NordVPN Our #1 choice VPN for Ireland! A very fast VPN with an expansive network and strong unblocking capabilities. Premium features are designed to protect your online privacy, including apps for all major platforms and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
   TIP In our testing we found that the cheapest NordVPN plan (Standard) works perfectly for Ireland.
2. Surfshark: The best budget Ireland VPN. Decent speeds. Works with most major streaming sites, including Netflix US, RTE Player, and Amazon Prime. Unlimited bandwidth and unlimited devices supported.
3. IPVanish: A speedy VPN that boasts a range of security features and allows ten simultaneous connections. Access your favorite content in Ireland or anywhere in the world.
4. ExpressVPN: A great VPN for streaming content and unblocking websites in Ireland. Strong encryption and a no-logs policy make it easy to stay anonymous online.
5. PureVPN: A cheap and effective VPN for Ireland. Strong encryption, bypasses geo-blocks, has port forwarding and allows up to 10 simultaneous devices.
6. CyberGhost: Thousands of servers and the ability to unblock major streaming platforms or bypass censorship worldwide. Works with Irish platforms like RTE player and doesn’t keep connection logs.
7. ProtonVPN: Highly secure, reliable VPN. Servers in Ireland and 85+ other countries. Works with Irish and international services. 24/7 chat support.
8. PrivateVPN: Fast, reliable, and able to access online services like Netflix Ireland abroad. A real focus on security makes this one of the safest VPNs on the market.

How we selected the best VPNs for Ireland

Choosing which VPN to use can be difficult as so many different services are vying for your attention. We researched services meeting the criteria below when finding the best VPNs for Ireland:

• Speed: We conducted multiple tests to find out how fast each VPN was while we were connected to its servers in Ireland.
• Features: We tested the range of features on offer, including the ability to bypass blocks in highly censored countries and whether they can protect users on public wi-fi hotspots. We also evaluated them based on the number of countries in which they had a presence and the number of connections they permitted.
• Security and privacy: We evaluated the VPNs against 16 unique criteria to find the ones most capable of keeping you safe online. This included the level of encryption they used and their data logging policies.
• Ease of use: We gauged how easy each service is to use by evaluating them using 10 individual metrics, including the helpfulness of their customer support and the simplicity of the sign-up and cancellation processes.
• Streaming: Many people use VPNs to access streaming platforms, making this a key area for testing. We used nine different criteria to evaluate how suitable each VPN provider was for streaming.

You can read more about the tests we carried out and see the results for each test later in this article. First, let’s take a close look at the providers that made the grade.

The best VPNs for Ireland: Our hands-on review

We’ve tested and compared the most important features of the top VPNs here. Prefer to read the in-depth reviews? Start with NordVPN – our #1 choice for Ireland.

Best VPNs for Ireland

Here’s our list of the best VPNs for Ireland:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024

NordVPN is our top recommended VPN for Ireland. It’s a veteran provider that is fast enough to stream live HD content with no interruptions. It has more than 6,200 servers spanning 111 countries, with 30+ in Ireland alone, perfect for watching Irish TV abroad. In addition to providing servers optimized for anonymity and P2P file-sharing, this VPN is capable of reliably accessing sites like Netflix, RTÉ Player, and Amazon Prime Video from anywhere in the world.

This provider has built up a reputation for being one of the fastest around. It’s easy to understand why; NordVPN delivered speeds well in excess of 200 Mbps across all three of our tests, resulting in an average of 229.51 Mbps. This is more than fast enough for you to watch live TV, torrent, or video call friends without any noticeable drop in performance.

For reference, we used a virtual machine for speed testing that had been rate-limited to 250 Mbps. As you can see, using NordVPN barely impacted that speed at all, which makes it a strong choice for just about any task and suitable for households where multiple people share a connection.

This service puts a major emphasis on your privacy. It uses 256-bit encryption and protection against DNS, WebRTC, port-forwarding, and IPv6 leaks by default. There are also more advanced features like dual VPN, Tor over VPN, ad-blocking, and malware-scanning functionality. With various cryptocurrencies accepted and no logs kept, this VPN enables you to register and browse almost completely anonymously.

NordVPN has apps for Linux, Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. It works with network routers but must be configured manually.

BEST VPN FOR IRELAND:NordVPN is our #1 pick for Ireland. It’s ultrafast, security-conscious, and keeps no logs. Better still, it comes with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark has more than 3,000 servers in 100+ countries, including Ireland. This service is known for its exceptional unblocking ability. Accordingly, you’ll be able to use platforms like BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video, regardless of where you are in the world. Better still, unlike most VPNs, Surfshark has no connection limit, which means you can secure every device you own with a single account.

Surfshark also delivered very high speeds, and if not for one marginally slower result in the morning, it may even have matched or outpaced NordVPN. There was just 10 Mbps of difference between its highest and lowest results, making it one of the most consistent providers we tested. Suffice it to say that with an average speed of 227.66 Mbps, you’re unlikely to notice any problems when performing data-intensive tasks. In fact, even if your entire family is streaming at the same time, you should be just fine.

This service’s security features include 256-bit AES encryption, protection against DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leaks, and a kill switch (in every version of the app). Ads and malware are blocked automatically, and if you visit a country with strict online censorship, the NoBorders feature will let you browse freely again. Surfshark doesn’t log any data that could identify you, although you can pay in Bitcoin, Ripple, or Ethereum if you’d prefer another layer of privacy. Customer support is on hand 24/7 over live chat to address any issues you might have.

Surfshark has apps for Android, Windows, iOS, MacOS, and Linux. It can be manually installed on supported network routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is a cheap and versatile service that easily unblocks major geo-blocked services abroad. More importantly, it gives you the tools you need to do so safely. Boasts a no-logs policy, decent speeds, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. IPVanish

IPVanish is perfect for people looking to protect their whole household: it allows any number of connections, while most of its rivals permit around six. This VPN has more than 2,200 servers across around 60 countries, including several in Ireland, allowing users to gain a low-latency connection wherever they are. Further, IPVanish is fast enough to stream HD content with no noticeable buffering.

Here’s another provider that’s punching above its weight where performance is concerned. After three tests using the Dublin servers and a base connection speed of 250 Mbps, IPVanish delivered an average speed of 217.89 Mbps. That shows a low impact on our speed without a VPN and is way more than you’ll need for uninterrupted streaming, gaming, or video calls. In fact, it means you’ll be able to download a 1GB file in about 36 seconds. There was minimal difference in speed depending on the time of day tested either, which is always good news.

Considering its apps are so lightweight, a good degree of security is built in. There’s 256-bit encryption, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and a kill switch, for instance, as well as local traffic blocking. You can even choose to obfuscate OpenVPN traffic or switch IP addresses at regular intervals. There’s no need to worry about being tracked either as IPVanish doesn’t log any personally identifiable information.

IPVanish apps are available for Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV, and Firestick. After manual configuration, it even works on Linux systems and some wireless routers.

PROTECT ALL OF YOUR DEVICES:IPVanish boasts high speeds, exceptional multi-platform support, and a few unique security features, making it ideal for those who use multiple devices to access the internet regularly. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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4. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN offers access to over 3,000 high-speed servers across 100+ countries, including Ireland. It has excellent multi-platform support and can be installed on routers relatively easily. Additionally, this service can access some of the most popular streaming platforms, like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, and ITV Hub.

ExpressVPN provided fairly consistent speeds, even if they weren’t the fastest we saw. After three tests, it returned an average speed of 100.55 Mbps. This should be plenty for most households, given that you only need around a 15 Mbps connection to stream uninterrupted 4K video. You might want to consider this provider’s Lightway protocol if possible too; it’s specially optimized to reduce speed loss when using servers in distant countries. Let’s take a look at ExpressVPN’s test results:

ExpressVPN uses 256-bit encryption, perfect forward secrecy, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks to keep your traffic hidden at all times. This service doesn’t record any personally identifiable information and accepts Bitcoin, allowing for anonymous signup. Customer support is available 24/7 over live chat in case of any problems.

This VPN comes with apps for MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. It can be quickly and easily installed on some routers using ExpressVPN’s custom router firmware (or an alternative).

HIGHLY VERSATILE:ExpressVPN is a strong all-rounder. It’s fast, has a large server network, and unblocks a wide array of geo-blocked services. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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5. PureVPN

PureVPN is an exceptional option if you want a cheap VPN with servers in Ireland. Its competitive pricing starts at only US$1.96 per month, and this will provide you with access to servers in Ireland and 65+ other countries around the world. This makes it perfect for accessing local Irish services like RTE, Volta, and IrishEyes.tv. It also works to watch international platforms like Netflix US, Hulu, and HBO Max.

PureVPN is a fairly fast provider but we’ve occasionally seen it struggle with consistency. This time around, though, it had no such problem. Its three test results were remarkably close together, regardless of the time of day. This VPN delivers an average speed of 152.56 Mbps, which means you’re never going to struggle to stream Irish TV abroad. It also works for torrenting or gaming! Here are PureVPN’s full test results:

Designed for a range of devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, PureVPN is versatile for both home and public wifi use. It’s particularly beneficial for Irish expats or travelers needing to access Irish streaming services and other regional content, as well as those within Ireland looking to bypass restrictions at work or school.

PureVPN ensures user privacy with strong encryption, facilitating the bypass of geo-restrictions with its Irish IPs. Its use of the WireGuard protocol enhances the experience for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and private video calls. Security is bolstered by features such as a no-logs policy, a kill switch, multiple protocols, DNS leak protection, and AES encryption.

Although live chat support may have slow response times, the overall value and effectiveness of PureVPN are impressive. The VPN offers a 31-day money-back guarantee, giving anybody ample time to test the VPN on their own devices and streaming services.

GREAT VALUE:PureVPN is cheap and effective for getting an Irish IP address. It works to prevent Irish ISPs from tracking your web visits and will protect against hackers on public WiFi. Strong encryption means you can bypass blocks at work without being found out. Port forwarding is available for torrenting as an optional extra. 31-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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6. CyberGhost

CyberGhost has around 100+ Irish servers for an Irish IP address and over 10,000 more throughout 100+ other countries. Users can choose not just which country they’d like to connect to, but also (in some locations) which city. There’s even a list of servers designed specifically for accessing access popular streaming services like Netflix, Sky Go, and BBC iPlayer, which makes watching your favorite shows abroad extremely simple.

We’ve seen consistent providers before, but CyberGhost has taken things to another level. There were less than 3 Mbps of variance across its three tests, leading to an average speed of 144.65 Mbps. Now, this puts CyberGhost in the middle of the pack, though it is still absolutely capable of dealing with everyday tasks like torrenting or video calling without any issues. You may notice some slight slowdown using the NoSpy servers, but that’s to be expected with a higher level of privacy.

CyberGhost includes a kill switch in both its mobile and desktop apps, ensuring you never have to browse unprotected. It uses 256-bit encryption by default, prevents WebRTC, DNS, and IPv6 leaks, and even offers automatic malware-scanning and ad-blocking features. This service does not log any personally identifiable information and accepts Bitcoin. If you need help, support can be reached over live chat, 24/7.

CyberGhost includes apps for Windows, Android, MacOS, Linux, and iOS devices. It can be manually installed on select internet routers.

Beginners' choice:CyberGhost is fast, secure, and inexpensive. Best of all, it’s extremely easy to use, even if you’re not particularly experienced with computers. Includes a 45-day money-back guarantee.

7. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a highly trusted and reliable VPN developed by the same team responsible for Proton Mail. Its Swiss base means the VPN benefits from excellent privacy laws, and as you would expect from such a reputable brand – it includes a fully audited no-logs policy.

ProtonVPN’s speeds are on the higher end, though it wasn’t able to break into the top three this time. It wasn’t far off, though, with average speeds of 170.04 Mbps. Now, this is actually surprisingly high because it delivered speeds of under 100 Mbps during one test. Still, its other two results hovered around the 200 Mbps mark, which helped offset some of the impact. Below, we’ll break down the full speed test results:

ProtonVPN has apps for all platforms that are equipped with strong security features like AES encryption, a kill switch, multiple protocols, obfuscation, multi-hop connections, and Tor over VPN, along with self-owned Secure Core servers in 60 locations. This makes it safe for any Irish internet user seeking robust online privacy, whether at home, at work, on campus, or using public wifi.

The VPN’s WireGuard protocol is fast and it connects faster than just about any other VPN. This makes it a reliable choice for Irish users in need of a VPN for streaming, gaming, torrenting, and private calls. Servers in Ireland provide local IP addresses for streaming RTE, or anything else that takes your fancy while on holiday. You can also connect to servers in 85+ countries, and those servers work to watch iPlayer, Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, and dozens of other international platforms.

ProtonVPN is great for torrenting, offering split tunneling and port forwarding. It also provides 24/7 live chat support, and a 30-day money-back guarantee allows users to trial the service. The only drawback is that it is a touch more expensive, so it is probably going to be better suited to people who need all its advanced features.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN is a highly secure and reliable VPN based in Switzerland. It has servers in Ireland and 85+ other countries. Performs exceptionally well for streaming Irish content and international services, including Netflix US. Has more advanced features than most of its competitors. 24/7 live chat support on its website. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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8. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN can reliably access major streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer abroad. It might not have the largest network (fewer than 90 servers in 57 countries), but it is faster than many competitors; you can stream live HD video without stuttering or buffering. As a bonus, PrivateVPN allows up to six simultaneous connections.

PrivateVPN had the lowest average speed of any provider in this list (89.93 Mbps). However, this is well above what’s required for day-to-day tasks and is still significantly faster than most VPNs we tested. Besides, its consistency helps make up for any perceived shortcomings in performance. This provider owns its entire network outright too, meaning it can roll out optimizations quicker than those that simply rent their hardware. Below, you’ll find a full breakdown of PrivateVPN’s results:

This VPN keeps you safe using 256-bit encryption as well as DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection. It boasts a no-logs policy so you can rest assured your activities can’t be traced back to you. Bitcoin is accepted, though, so if you’re still not convinced, you can sign up anonymously using a disposable email address. The customer support team is particularly helpful, and can even remotely connect to your device (with your permission) to install the software for you.

PrivateVPN offers MacOS, iOS, Windows, and Android apps. It works with Linux systems and supported routers, although you’ll have to configure the service manually first.

STRONG GENERAL-PURPOSE VPN:PrivateVPN boasts better-than-average speeds and the ability to unblock some of the most popular streaming platforms. It’s highly secure, with a zero-logs policy for added peace of mind. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Methodology: Finding the best VPNs for Ireland

Getting a VPN is easy. Finding one that can keep you safe online, handle any task you throw at it, and remain affordable is another matter. Our team extensively tested over a dozen leading providers to find out which worked the most reliably in Ireland and which are better off avoided. Below, we’ll explain our main areas of concern and testing methodology so that you can better understand how we approached this challenge.

Performance

VPNs add an extra step to the path your data takes across the internet, which always results in some speed loss. However, they’re significantly faster than they were just a few years ago, and now, you’re unlikely to notice too much of a difference unless you’re used to an ultra-fast connection. There is an element of randomness to speed testing though, so to provide the most accurate results, our team had to come up with a way to remove as many variables as possible.

We used a connection that was rate-limited to 250 Mbps. This is the median average of fixed broadband speeds in the US and, thus, most likely to reflect users’ real-world experiences. For each VPN, we performed three tests using Irish servers over the course of a single day. This gave us three results, which we then averaged to get a better idea of the speeds you can actually expect. Next, we weighted and normalized these results to give us a result out of 10 for each provider. In simple terms, the fastest provider earns a perfect score, and all other ratings are based on their performance relative to it. This way, we can ensure that there’s a tangible difference between a rating of four and five, for instance. Let’s take a look at those speed test results:

NordVPN took first place in our speed testing, but Surfshark wasn’t far behind. In fact, there was less than 2Mbps of difference between NordVPN and its budget-friendly rival. PrivateVPN was the slowest of the bunch, with an average speed of 89.93. That’s still an impressive performance and good enough for day-to-day tasks, but there’s no denying it has some work to do to catch up to the competition.

Streaming ability

Most major streaming services are region-locked, which can cause problems for VPN users and international travelers alike. That’s why we put potential recommendations through an exhaustive set of streaming tests to see which worked the most reliably in Ireland and abroad. For instance, we started by checking whether they were able to access Irish platforms like RTÉ and TG4, then moved on to international streaming apps like Crave and Netflix US.

This is only the beginning. Our team also checked to see if each VPN worked in high-censorship countries, whether they offered apps for lower-powered streaming devices, and whether they could block ads automatically. Providers were assigned points based on how well they performed in each of the areas above. Let’s see how they compared:

Competition was especially tough in this category. NordVPN came out on top but only just, and only because it happened to work with a wider range of international platforms. Meanwhile, three other providers tied for second place, each earning 9.7 points. PrivateVPN had the lowest overall score because while it worked well with Irish services, it sometimes struggled to access platforms from other countries.

Security and privacy

Your VPN has to be able to keep your online activities hidden from anyone who might be watching. This means they must offer powerful encryption, tools that safeguard you when things go wrong (such as leak protection and a kill switch), and a no-logging policy. Of course, there’s a lot more that’s required for truly anonymous browsing. The table below shows everything our experts look out for in this category and how each VPN performed:

Once we’d gathered all of the test results, we weighted and normalized the resulting scores. This makes it easier to compare providers side by side, as shown below:

It says a lot when the lowest score any provider earns is an 8.6. PrivateVPN lost points due to its limited set of advanced tools and slightly lower default encryption level. On the other hand, NordVPN and Surfshark tied for first place, with each earning 9.5 points out of 10.

Ease of use

We’re big fans of VPNs that welcome newcomers and novice users. There are all kinds of ways this can be achieved, from providing first-class customer support to providing task-specific servers or decluttering their apps. We take all of these factors (and more) into account when considering how simple and straightforward each service is to use – check out the table below for more information:

After weighting and normalizing our results, NordVPN emerged as the top scorer. It earned 9.6 points out of 10, only losing out due to its lack of router firmware and functional parity across platforms. With 8.6 points, PrivateVPN was our lowest scorer, though this doesn’t mean it’s difficult to use – only that it lacks a few quality-of-life features like task-specific servers and an ad-blocker.

Value for money

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our years of experience testing consumer VPNs, it’s that you don’t have to pay a ton to get a high-quality service. Our experts look into the per-month and long-term pricing of each VPN, check if there are any discounts for students or emergency service staff, and research how often the service goes on sale. Further, we only recommend VPNs that come with a money-back guarantee. This way, users can try the service for themselves, free from any restrictions, and get a refund if they’re unsatisfied. Where possible, we like to test these guarantees as well, just to make sure they’re really as straightforward and clear cut as they seem.

As always, we assigned scores for each VPN’s performance in each subcategory, then weighted and normalized them. Here are the final results:

NordVPN took first place with a score of 9.5 out of 10, though we had a two-way tie for second between Surfshark and ExpressVPN. Conversely, Proton VPN delivered the lowest score (6.7) thanks to its slightly higher-than-average pricing and lack of student discount. In fairness, it does have a free plan that you can use (with limitations) for as long as you like.

How to use a VPN for Ireland

Here’s how to use a VPN for Ireland:

1. Start by choosing a suitable VPN provider for Ireland (we recommend NordVPN).
2. Download and install the appropriate version of the app for your device.
3. Connect to a VPN server in your desired location. For instance, to unblock the RTÉ Player, you’d use an Irish server to get an Irish IP address. To access US sites like CNN or NBC, you’ll need to select a US server.
4. Try loading a video on your chosen site. It should load straight away, but if it doesn’t, clear your browser’s cookies and cache, then reload the page.
5. If problems persist, try a different server or contact your VPN provider’s customer support team for help.

Using a free VPN in Ireland

Free VPNs may appear tempting at first glance, but we don’t recommend using one. There are several reasons for this, the chief among them being their performance. These services’ networks are usually fairly limited, but there’s a constant influx of users. As such, you can expect very slow speeds. This makes high-definition streaming a frustrating experience, with low-resolution video, frequent stuttering, and lengthy pauses for buffering. Additionally, free VPNs are usually the first to be blocked by major platforms, meaning you may be unable to access your chosen service.

Secondly, very few services are completely free, and “free VPNs” are no different. Some use an ad-supported model, and these ads are often extremely large, eye-catching, and obtrusive. Some of these services even store tracking cookies on your device, enabling them to harvest information such as your favorite sites, how often you visit them, and the times at which you do so. This data can then be sold for profit to anonymous third parties, usually without your express permission.

The security aspect is also worth considering. In 2016, researchers tested 283 apps claiming to be free VPNs and found that more than one-third contained malware. Further, almost 20% allowed the user to browse without encrypting their traffic, and 84% were vulnerable to IPv6 leaks. Even larger services may not be safe: Hola infamously sold user bandwidth to help run a botnet. The best way to protect yourself online is to use a well-established VPN with a solid reputation and a customer-first privacy policy.

Why should you use a VPN in Ireland?

Internet restrictions in Ireland

For the most part, users in Ireland can browse the internet without restriction. However, like in the UK, Irish ISPs block access to various file-sharing and streaming sites known for hosting unlicensed content. These include The Pirate Bay, Putlocker, RARBG, and EZTV. Further, while Eircom has had a three-strikes copyright violation policy since 2015, additional ISPs are poised to implement similar schemes in the near future. These policies will see users receive two warning letters if they’re discovered to be downloading copyrighted content, while a third violation will see their details given to the copyright holder.

There may be more restrictions on the horizon: The Times (paywall) reports that a bill set to block pro-anorexia and pro-suicide sites has cross-party support. While it’s hard to argue against blocking this kind of content, governments don’t seem to have realized that bypassing their often heavy-handed blanket restrictions is laughably simple with a VPN. In fact, one Pirate Bay proxy was (as of May 2018) the 115th most-visited site in the UK, despite the government having blocked the main site since 2012.

Other reasons to use a VPN in Ireland

If you regularly log into your Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Banks, or Citibank account online from Ireland, then try accessing it from another country (for instance, if you’re on vacation), you risk tripping automated fraud prevention systems. However, by connecting to one of your VPN’s Ireland servers beforehand, you can greatly reduce the likelihood of this happening.

VPNs also ensure that you can access your usual streaming services anywhere in the world. In fact, staying up-to-date with the latest shows on platforms like RTÉ Player, TG4, and Virgin Player is trivially simple. When traveling, you’re also more likely to connect to public wifi, but with a VPN, you can browse freely without worrying about whether your activities will be tracked or not.

VPN for Ireland: FAQs