Best VPNs for Getting an Irish IP Address
If you want to access Ireland’s vast selection of TV content, you’ll need a VPN service that provides Irish IP addresses. This section lists some of the best VPNs to access Irish content from abroad. Our list includes reliable VPN options with fast connection speeds, bulletproof security and plenty of servers worldwide.
1. ExpressVPN — Overall Best VPN Provider
ExpressVPN is the best VPN with Irish servers.
Pros:
- Ideal for streaming
- Fast server speeds.
- Field-tested security
ExpressVPN is our best VPN option for accessing Irish TV shows like ‘Love/Hate’ or ‘Bad Sisters.’ This VPN is renowned for its consistent speeds, clean security record and ability to unblock streaming sites. It has an extensive global network of more than 3,000 servers across 105 countries, ensuring fast and reliable connections all year long.
In our speed test, ExpressVPN averaged 66 Mbps while streaming — a 10% increase from our unprotected speed of 60 Mbps. VPNs don’t usually increase your speeds, but they can if your ISP is throttling your connection. ExpressVPN also includes TrustedServer technology, which makes it impossible for its servers to store information about users.
ExpressVPN is a streaming beast. If you want a VPN that won’t trigger the Netflix proxy error, this is the one. ExpressVPN has amazing unblocking potential. Whether you want to watch Irish networks like TG4, access the Irish Netflix library or dip into another country’s streaming library, this VPN can get you past almost any firewall.
Although ExpressVPN is a little more expensive than some of its competitors, it’s worth the cost. You can learn more about this VPN in our ExpressVPN review, or try ExpressVPN with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN Plans
2. NordVPN — Fast VPN for Irish IP Addresses
NordVPN is an affordable option if you need an Irish IP address.
Pros:
- Strong privacy & security
- Very fast global speeds
- Supports cryptocurrencies
Cons:
- Slow app & server connections
- No split tunneling on macOS
NordVPN is an ideal alternative for accessing a reliable Irish IP address. It has more than 5,800 servers in more than 60 countries, including more than 50 in Ireland alone. It offers a more budget-friendly pricing model than ExpressVPN — though you really only save money if you sign up for a long-term plan.
In our speed tests, NordVPN averaged 53 Mbps, a 12% reduction from our unprotected speed of 60 Mbps. Though this is slower than ExpressVPN, we didn’t encounter significant lags or buffering when streaming content from Ireland.
NordVPN prioritizes user privacy and security by using the AES-256 and PGP keys to protect users’ data. It adds a kill switch to prevent IP address exposure and offers multi-hop to connect through two VPN servers instead of one.
In our tests, the Ireland servers were able to access the Disney+, Netflix Ireland and Amazon Prime libraries, bypassing tough TG3 and TG4 geo-blocks and streaming ‘The Bridge’ in 4K. NordVPN is compatible with almost any internet-capable platform and supports up to six simultaneous device connections.
To learn more about NordVPN, read our NordVPN review. You can also try NordVPN with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
3. Surfshark — Affordable and Speedy VPN for Ireland IPs
Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPNs with Irish servers and offers unlimited simultaneous connections.
Pros:
- Low-cost subscription
- Unlimited device connections
- Camouflage mode
Cons:
- Unresponsive customer service
- Higher latencies on most servers
Surfshark is another great choice for accessing Ireland’s online world. Though the same company owns both Surfshark and NordVPN, Surfshark offers users different choices, including more than 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Another standout feature is its “camouflage mode,” which is excellent for getting around network firewalls that block VPNs.
In our speed tests, Surfshark achieved an average of 66 Mbps, representing a 10% increase over our unprotected speed of 60 Mbps and easily placing it among the fastest VPNs. Surfshark has enough servers in Ireland for users to enjoy smooth streaming without the slowdowns or lags that overcrowded nodes can cause.
Users can stream popular Irish TV series like ‘Vikings’ without buffers and unblock Irish Netflix and channels like 3e, TG4 and RTÉ.
The platform also features NoBorders mode, which is designed to scan for government-imposed internet access restrictions. If Surfshark detects any, it redirects your connection to the server best equipped to get around these regional hurdles.
Read more about the VPN in our Surfshark review, or try Surfshark using its 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark Starter
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
Surfshark One
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
Surfshark One+
- Everything in One, plus Data removal
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
4. CyberGhost — Strong VPN Service With Optimized Servers
CyberGhost offers a huge number of servers in Ireland, some of them dedicated to streaming.
Pros:
- Dedicated streaming servers
- 45-day money-back return
- Over 60 servers in Ireland
Cons:
- Slower download speeds
- Limited payment options
CyberGhost offers a large server network, including 117 servers in Dublin. It pairs this with a user-friendly interface, servers optimized for specific streaming platforms and a 45-day money-back guarantee on its long-term plans (14 days if you sign up for one month at a time).
CyberGhost’s main drawback is speed, which lags behind direct competitors like ExpressVPN and Surfshark. It had an average speed of 45 Mbps — a 15% drop from our unprotected speed of 60 Mbps. Users who don’t have fast internet to begin with may have to deal with buffering when streaming in higher video quality.
Regarding security, CyberGhost features expert-approved encryption, plus a kill switch and a strict, Deloittre-approved no-logs policy. One of its most unique features is its dedicated streaming servers, which it keeps optimized to bypass Netflix’s restrictions on out-of-country access. This alone makes CyberGhost one of the best VPNs for Netflix.
Additionally, CyberGhost supports seven simultaneous device connections on a single subscription. You can learn more about this VPN by reading our comprehensive CyberGhost review, or try one of CyberGhost’s long-term plans with its 45-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost Plans
5. TunnelBear — Free VPN for Irish IPs
TunnelBear is the best way to get an Irish IP address free of charge.
Pros:
- Shallow learning curve
- Free Irish servers
- Unlimited device connections
Cons:
- Free plan limited to 2GB
- Mediocre speeds
TunnelBear has servers in 47 countries, including Ireland, and features an intuitive app compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, Windows and Linux. Free plan users have access to all of TunnelBear’s servers. However, free users receive only 2GB of data per month, which high-quality streaming will quickly eat through. Even so, it’s the best free VPN with an Irish VPN server.
Irish users abroad seeking a low-cost VPN service can use TunnelBear to access Irish websites, but it’s not the best choice for unblocking your favorite streaming services and TV channels. In our speed test, TunnelBear maintained an average of 29 Mbps — a 42% drop from our unprotected speed of 60 Mbps.
In addition to its inconsistent speeds, the VPN struggles with streaming access. Netflix and Amazon Prime Video currently block TunnelBear. Additionally, you won’t be able to select specific server locations in Ireland.
However, if you need a free Irish IP address for something other than streaming, TunnelBear’s free plan can keep you safe with strong encryption protocols. Read more about the VPN in our TunnelBear review.
Individual
- Unlimited GB, five devices, priority customer service
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
Teams
- Unlimited GB, five devices per user, centralized billing, account manager, price per user per month
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
How Can I Get a Free Ireland IP Address?
Though thousands of free VPNs are available, many are untrustworthy, so users need to exercise caution. Most free VPNs are prone to privacy risks and susceptible to data breaches and compromises. Some of the worst free VPNs out there resort to logging users’ data and selling personal information to third parties.
Aside from privacy concerns, free VPNs are often slow and offer limited server options. These limitations can result in a poor online experience, especially when streaming or accessing financial services abroad. However, there are a few reliable free VPNs, with TunnelBear standing out for its reliable Ireland servers.
The Best Free VPN With an Irish Server — TunnelBear
If you’re on a budget but need a trustworthy free VPN with Irish servers, we recommend TunnelBear’s free version. This free VPN service features a user-friendly interface that makes it easy for foreigners and Irish residents abroad to connect to Irish servers and unblock restricted content.
However, TunnelBear does have some faults. It’s notoriously slow and struggles to access streaming platforms. Additionally, the free version has a data limit of 2GB, which is simply not enough to watch more than a couple hours of TV per month.
Should I Use a Free Irish Proxy Server?
A free proxy server can get you an Irish IP address and may seem like the most convenient option. However, free proxies lack the encryption that VPNs provide, so your data is completely unsecured. In addition, the notoriously lax security measures on free proxies increase the risk of hacks and breaches.
Moreover, many free proxies do not have a clear privacy policy, raising concerns about how they collect and use customer data. Rather than rely on free proxies, we recommend using reputable VPN providers like ExpressVPN or NordVPN or a free option like TunnelBear.