phones in Ireland

If you use the search box at the top of this page and type in "cell phones Ireland" you'll find 13 discussions of this topic. You might start there.

Your cheapest choice probably would be to buy an international phone card with a PIN when you get to Ireland and use it to call home from landline phones.

Anyone out there tried a rental from PlanetFone.com? I'm using it next week in travels through Europe - just for incoming emergency calls - using Skype on laptop otherwise. With right Citi credit card, rental is free - $20 shipping to return when you're done, and minute rates seem pretty reasonable. Costs $5 more for the 2 weeks, plus extra 60 cents/minutes to hook up 800 number for people to call me from the US in an emergency.

Kris:

1. Buy phone card there for calls to U.S.
2. Buy cheap cell phone @ either: Vodafone or O2(pronounced: Oh-2) they ususally come w/free min and can be cheaper then adding international rate package; as the average charge PER min can be $1.99 or higher - for use in Ireland.
   

**Note: the Vodafone & O2 are pre-paid. You can add min anywhere... they have locations ALL over Ireland, as well as, at news agents etc... The great thing is you can use them all over Europe for any future trips; as I have done and ALOT cheaper.

I hope this helps you out!!!

I just returned from Dublin a couple of days ago and had the same concern before I went. I have a Blackberry & my US carrier required a full year Int'l rate package.

As long as your phone is compatible (they use GPRS & something else) you can do the prepaid SIM card. I used O2 & it worked out great. I went into one of the shops when I got there & within 10 minutes I had a local number and then installed the SIM. You can "top off" your card at a variety of places in person, call in a payment or make one online.

Now that my phone is unlocked I plan to do this anytime I travel overseas.