Using a Cell Phone in Ireland

Communications in Ireland

Whether you buy a phone or a SIM card in Ireland you will be on a "Pay-as-you-go" system, where you prepay for calls rather than receiving a bill or having them charged to a credit cars.

These are very easy phones to use, and the entry level model we are recommending you buy is the easiest of all!

In Ireland everyone over the age of about 12, and I mean everyone, uses a mobile phone, it is a phenomenon that many visitors comment on. If you are confused about how your phone works or how to apply credit, just ask anyone - though as is typical with any technology younger people will be most expert!

Setting up Your Phone

Installing the sim card and charging the phone will be your first task - the store where you buy the phone or SIM card will install the card for you and, if you are buying a phone, you are provided with an easy to use charger.

Using Your Phone

To make a call, just dial and speak! When making calls within Ireland, you always need to include the area code at the beginning of the number when you dial.

Most phones come with lots of extra gizmos, most of which you will not need. The inbuilt alarm clocks are handy and there is free voice mail included if you wish to set it up.

Instructions for use are provided with the phone when you buy and if you have not used a cell phone before the staff in the store will be happy to run though the basics with you.

Buying Call Credit

The way these phones work is that you buy call credits in advance, in units of €10, €25 and €50, from any of over 7000 outlets nationwide including vending machines, stores, petrol stations and many other places.

You will get either a card or a receipt which has a top-up serial number on it. To apply the credit to your phone you enter a 4 digit code into your phone (which will be provided when you buy the phone), followed by the top-up serial number and you are done.

You can check the remaining credit on your phone at any time.

Your Comments

Please note: To prevent spam all comments are moderated. Promotional or advertising comments will not be published. If you want to ask a question or start a discussion rather than post a comment, please so so in the forum. Thank you!

Posted by: julie
26 Jun 2007, 15:57
This was a great help, thanks so much!
Julie

Posted by: Dana
19 Jul 2007, 15:56
Your thorough research and analysis is invaluable! Thank you so much for posting. You've eased my mind about communications (e.g., business, home, emergency) before I've even packed. Thanks!

Posted by: Pat
03 Dec 2007, 06:50
I'm Irish, and I live in Ireland. Out of pure curiosity I have read your advice to visitors, re driving, electricity, phones (mobile phones, or mobiles as they are called here), etc. I have to say your advice is very good, and very sound. Do buy a mobile, it is by far the cheapest way of staying contactable. Well done, and as I have said all this advice is very good, and accurate.

Posted by: Joe
08 Jan 2008, 11:12
Hi,
This section on cellphones was excellent! I will be visiting IE for the next 4-6 months and staying in contact with my family (in the US) is important to me. Also, your advice on asking the kids about technical aspects is right on. We always get the latest details from our children.

Posted by: l. mcmorrow
07 Jun 2008, 20:35
Fantastic presentation. One of the best step-by-step info + instruction packages I have seen, and I am a tech writer who specialises in this area. Just update from time to time -- what about the new service "3".

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