Has anyone taken their existing phone and purchased a SIM card once in Ireland? If so what type of pricing/plan was it? Or if there is a website I can get more information from. What Verizon wants doesn't add up since my plan is not compatible (its a plan thats been grandfathered in and they don't even offer it any longer) overseas. I would have to purchase a special plan $85 per phone for only 200MB data.
We get one, it is usually 10 euros, limited data, includes some testing and calling. If you need to you can what they call top up, or in our language, add more $ to the plan.
Try vodaphone. We bring an old unlocked phone.
A good source of more information about Irish SIM cards and plans is the Prepaid GSM website. However, it can be overwhelming, and the forum can get very technical very fast, so don't be afraid to ask for clarification.
Here's their UK & Ireland Forum: http://www.prepaidgsm.net/forum/forumdisplay.php?s=d66b960b420857b85d72f2c11e1b2d0c&f=38
And here's their list of Irish SIM cards; you can click on "Prepaid Offer" to learn more about each one, or go directly to each provider's website to learn the latest details. However, just as in the US, the plans change all the time, and it can be hard to find the best deals when they're buried (while the most expensive deals are always front and center on the site). http://www.prepaidgsm.net/en/ireland.html.
Most Verizon phones are unlocked. Check with Verizon. If so, then just buy a SIM card in Ireland.