Best VPNs for Ireland in 2026 for security and speed

Are you trying to enhance your digital privacy? Perhaps you’re nervous about Ireland’s new mandatory age-verification laws or just want to be able to use public wifi safely during a vacation to the Emerald Isle. The solution is simple: use a Virtual Private Network (VPN). These tools can help protect you from snooping, ISP throttling, and Man-in-the-Middle attacks, and as a bonus, they’ll let you spoof your location so that you can stream Irish TV from anywhere in the world.

I’ve personally tested almost 80 of the best-known VPNs with the goal of identifying the top VPNs for Ireland. Below, I’ll provide a brief overview of each but don’t worry: there are more detailed reviews further down the page.

The best VPN services for Ireland:

1. NordVPN: My #1 choice VPN for Ireland! A very fast VPN with an expansive network and strong unblocking capabilities. Exceptionally strong privacy features, multi-platform support, and a risk-free 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. Speedy, secure service that has no problems unblocking Irish TV abroad. Connect all of your devices at once.
3. Total VPN: Works well with Irish and international streaming services. Fast servers in 85+ countries. Hydra protocol automatically obfuscates traffic.
4. ProtonVPN: A privacy-first VPN with over 100 servers in Ireland. Perfect for regaining access to Irish TV channels while traveling. Doesn’t keep any logs.
5. ExpressVPN: Easy to use service with first-class unblocking ability. Great for watching TV from Ireland, torrenting, and more. Works anywhere in the world.
6. IPVanish: This high-speed VPN can secure all of your devices at once. It’s fast, has a strong security focus, and works flawlessly with Irish streaming apps.
7. PureVPN: A cheap and effective VPN for Ireland. Strong encryption, bypasses geo-blocks, has port forwarding and allows up to 10 simultaneous devices.
8. 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.
9. PrivateVPN: This VPN puts your anonymity first and can bypass almost any online restriction. A strong choice for streaming, torrenting, or enhancing your privacy.

How I found the best VPNs for Ireland

With thousands of VPNs to choose from, I had to develop a way to identify the best of the best. That’s why I created a testing process that focused on the five aspects of a VPN that matter most to everyday users. Below, I’ll explain what these are, and reveal why each is so important.

• Speed: Sluggish performance causes all kinds of problems. To find the fastest VPNs, I ran multiple speed tests on their Irish servers, keeping an eye on their top speeds but also their consistency.
• Value for money: Price isn’t everything but it is a deciding factor for a lot of people. That’s why I looked into providers’ lowest monthly prices as well as their available discounts, connection limits, and overall versatility. 
• Security and privacy: I evaluated VPNs against 16 criteria to see which had the most robust security toolkit. This meant checking their encryption standards, logging policies, and much, much more.
• Ease of use: I gauged how easy each service is to use by evaluating them using various metrics, including the helpfulness of their customer support and the simplicity of the sign-up and cancellation processes.
• Streaming ability: Many people use VPNs to access streaming platforms, making this a key area for testing. I tested each provider with popular streaming sites in Ireland as well as the big-name international services.

You can read more about my testing process in the methodology section at the bottom of this post. First, let’s take a close look at the providers that made the grade.

The best VPNs for Ireland compared

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

Best VPNs for Ireland

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

1. NordVPN

Feb 2026

NordVPN is my first choice VPN for Ireland. It has maintained a spotless privacy record for over a decade and provides access to over 8,000 servers, covering 120 countries including Ireland. NordVPN is also great for watching Irish TV abroad since it works with RTE Player and TG4 as well as an expansive list of international streaming platforms. There’s a generous 10 simultaneous connection limit and 24/7 customer support over live chat, making it quick and easy to get help.

I’ve seen NordVPN outperform its rivals over and over again, so went into this round of testing with high expectations. NordVPN’s Irish servers delivered an average speed of 229.52 Mbps when tested on a 250 Mbps connection, which is fantastic. Better still, there was just 4 Mbps of variance across three tests, meaning it’s not just one of the fastest services but also one of the most reliable. Take a look:

Few providers have as strong a security toolkit as NordVPN. This service protects your privacy by preventing DNS and IPv6 leaks, using unbreakable encryption, and ensuring you never browse on an unsecured connection. It refuses to keep any logs (a fact verified by external auditors) and can even block ads, trackers, and malware automatically. There are specialty servers too, with some designed to encrypt your data twice, access Tor over VPN, or bypass extreme online censorship.

Of course, that’s not all NordVPN has to offer. You can also allow certain apps or websites to pass through unencrypted, which is helpful for accessing geo-blocked sites without losing access to local platforms. There’s also the NordLynx protocol (a lighter, more secure, WireGuard alternative) and the ability to pay with cryptocurrencies or gift cards so that you can sign up anonymously.

NordVPN apps are available on Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and MacOS. It has step by step instructions in case you’d like to get it running on your router too.

BEST VPN FOR IRELAND:NordVPN is my top pick for Ireland. It has no issues unblocking Irish TV channels abroad, boasts a powerful set of privacy tools, and can beat even the toughest online restrictions. Includes a 30-day risk-free money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our full NordVPN review.

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2. Surfshark

Surfshark is the best low-cost VPN for people in Ireland. Its network covers 100 countries, with more than 60 Irish servers and 4,500 globally. There are a couple of things that help this VPN stand out from the crowd, one being its exceptional streaming ability and the other being its complete lack of connection limits. You’ll be able to access platforms like BBC iPlayer and Virgin One from anywhere, and live chat-based customer support is available around the clock just in case you need it.

To find out what kind of performance Surfshark’s Irish servers were capable of delivering, I tested them three times using a typical 250 Mbps connection. Surfshark averaged 227.66 Mbps, placing it firmly among the fastest providers on the market. There was only around 10 Mbps of variability too, which is an exceptional result. I was able to stream, torrent, and play games with no noticeable slowdown.

This affordable VPN doesn’t take any chances where security is involved. All user traffic is secured using unbreakable ChaCha20 encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection, plus there’s a professionally-audited no-logs policy in place. Surfshark also offers a few other privacy tools, such as a NoBorders mode designed for sidestepping strict online censorship, a tool for blocking ads, trackers, and adult content, and the Rotating IP feature which changes your IP address every few minutes. It accepts various cryptocurrencies so you can sign up anonymously.

Other features include split tunneling; access to static IP addresses in six countries; and customizable multi-hop connections. My favorite, however, was the ID Generator tool. This allows you to quickly conjure up a new persona, complete with a name, date of birth and address. The tool can help protect your real details when signing up to online services you don’t 100% trust (which could well be all of them).

Subscriptions are great value and start from the equivalent of $2.19 a month. Surfshark apps are available for Windows, iOS, Linux, MacOS, and Android, with manual setup required for supported routers.

BEST BUDGET VPN:Surfshark is the best cheap VPN for Ireland. Delivers very high speeds, takes your security seriously, and works with most streaming apps. Connect as many devices as you like. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Surfshark review.

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3. Total VPN

Total VPN is a reliable, versatile provider that takes the stress out of staying safe online. Its intuitive apps make getting connected nice and easy, and with 1,800 servers in over 80 countries, you’ll be able to watch TV from all over the world. Customer support is available via a 24/7 live chat service and users can secure up to five devices at once. I’d like to see that limit increased slightly in line with Total VPN’s rivals, but that’s a fairly minor complaint, all things considered.

I tested Total VPN’s servers in Dublin multiple times, resulting in an average speed of 196.51 Mbps. For context, that’s fast enough to stream a dozen 4K videos simultaneously, so data-hungry activities like torrenting, gaming, or watching your favorite shows won’t cause any problems. Take a look at my full test results:

Your traffic is kept safe using strong 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch prevents you exposing your true IP address if the VPN connection drops out. Other features include split tunneling, built-in leak protection, and a choice of connection protocols. WireGuard is used by default, though Hydra is available if you want your traffic disguised to avoid detection in restrictive countries.

Subscriptions are heavily discounted for the first year, and cost the equivalent of $1.59 a month. They include free ad-blocking and antivirus software, which makes the deal all the sweeter.

Total VPN supports iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, and tvOS, but currently can’t be installed on Linux systems or routers.

OBFUSCATION AVAILABLE:Total VPN is fast and secure, with servers in 85+ countries. It’s able to disguise VPN traffic and has great-value subscriptions that comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Why not read our full Total VPN review?

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4. ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a well-respected service from the team behind Proton Mail. It has a truly colossal network with more than 15,000 servers spread across 120 countries and the ability to access virtually any streaming service, from RTE Player to Amazon Prime Video. I was impressed by how user-friendly this VPN was and appreciated its geneous 10-device limit. 24/7 customer support is available over live chat, and I’ve never run into a problem that ProtonVPN staff couldn’t resolve.

My next challenge was finding out how fast this provider was on a typical day. ProtonVPN did very well, with an average speed of 188.61 Mbps. As such, it’d be a strong choice for bandwidth-intensive activities like torrenting, live streaming your favorite shows, or playing online games. However, there was 19 Mbps of variance, and ideally, that would be reduced for more consistent performance.

Security is an area where ProtonVPN really shines. It prevents anyone from seeing what you get up online using a zero-logs policy, uncrackable encryption, a kill switch, and protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks. There’s also a built-in ad and tracker-blocker, plus a stealth protocol capable of hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN in the first place (though it doesn’t work in high-censorship countries, unfortunately). ProtonVPN also offers split tunneling and port forwarding support as standard, which is quite rare but will prove invaluable for anyone interesting in gaming or P2P activity.

ProtonVPN has self-owned Secure Core servers in 60+ locations, with two in Ireland. One routes your traffic through an additional stop in privacy-friendly Switzerland, while the other sends it via Iceland. Tor over VPN servers are also available, making it possible to join the Tor network in a single click.

This VPN has apps for iOS, MacOS, Windows, Linux, and Android devices. If you’d like to install it on a router, you’ll have to follow manual setup instructions.

FULLY FEATURED:ProtonVPN is a highly secure and reliable VPN based in Switzerland. Boasts lots of speedy and secure Irish servers plus first-class streaming capabilities. This no-logs service is packed with privacy tools and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our ProtonVPN review.

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5. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers which are completely wiped whenever they’re turned off, effectively ensuring total user privacy in the event of a hardware seizure. There are 105 countries to choose from, including Ireland, and this VPN can reliably unblock stubborn streaming platforms like ITVX, Virgin One, and BBC iPlayer abroad. What’s more, ExpressVPN recently increased its connection limits from eight to 10 (or up to 14 with a Pro subscription). Live chat-based support is available 24/7.

ExpressVPN’s own Lightway protocol is known for its strong performance compared to OpenVPN but I wanted to see what kind of speeds it was capable of. Following three tests at different times of day, this VPN had an average speed of 151.31 Mbps. That’s a competitive result, if not the quickest I’ve seen. Suffice to say, you’re not going to have any issues with day to day tasks like streaming or video calling.

Although this isn’t the most customizable VPN, it does provide a high level of privacy. That’s because ExpressVPN uses unbreakable encryption, offers safeguards like a kill switch and leak protection, and refuses to keep any logs of your activities. Thanks to its automatic obfuscation, you can browse safely even in high-censorship countries like China or the UAE, and it’s now possible to block ads, trackers, malware and adult content too. You can split tunnel on a per-app basis and even sign up anonymously by paying in Bitcoin.

This VPN comes with apps for MacOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, and Android. Further, ExpressVPN has its own router firmware so it’s a natural choice for anyone looking to secure every device on their home network.

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. Browse safely in Ireland or anywhere else. Plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Check out our complete ExpressVPN review. 

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6. IPVanish

IPVanish was one of the first VPNs to remove its connection limit, allowing users to browse safely no matter how many devices they own. It has around 3,200 servers in 100 countries and unlike most of its rivals, is able to access stubborn platforms like Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV+. There are almost two dozen servers in Dublin to choose from and if anything doesn’t work as expected, you can get help using IPVanish’s 24/7 live chat service.

IPVanish is 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 175.2 Mbps. That’s 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.

As you might expect, IPVanish ensures your privacy with an impenetrable layer of encryption. However, it also offers a kill switch (for halting traffic after an unexpected outage) and protection from IPv6 and DNS leaks. Better still, IPVanish has undergone several independent audits to prove it doesn’t keep any logs of your activities. Its more advanced features include an ad and tracker-blocker, a link safety checker, split tunneling functionality, and multi-hop servers. Finally, there’s basic obfuscation in case you need to get around simple VPN-blocking systems.

This provider now offers an Advanced tier that bundles the VPN with a terabyte of cloud storage and a remotely-accessible secure browser. These subscriptions are only around $1 more than the Essential plan, they’re well worth considering.

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. Annual plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Take a look at our full IPVanish review.

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7. PureVPN

PureVPN is an exceptional option if you want a cheap VPN with servers in Ireland. There are more than 6,500 to choose from globally, with more than a dozen in Dublin. I can confirm that this service worked flawlessly with major platforms like RTE, Volta, Max, and Netflix. Each subscription lets you connect up to 10 devices and there’s 24/7 customer support via live chat, though in my experience, staff sometimes take a few minutes to respond.

PureVPN is a fairly fast provider but I’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 162.55 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:

This service comes equipped with all of the security features you’d expect from a VPN of this caliber. For instance, there’s a kill switch, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, and 256-bit encryption that’d take hundreds of years to break. Some of PureVPN’s most exciting tools are its automatic obfuscation, ad and tracker-blocker, and port forwarding functionality (though this last feature costs extra). There’s an audited no-logs policy in place as well as support for the speedy and privacy-focused WireGuard protocol. Accepts various cryptocurrencies for anonymous registration.

Designed for a range of devices, including Windows, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Android, PureVPN is suitable for both home and public Wi-Fi use. Alternatively, you can follow manual setup instructions for popular routers.

GREAT VALUE:PureVPN is cheap and effective for getting an Irish IP address. Prevents ISP snooping and ensures you can access TV from Ireland, regardless of your location. Strong security with port forwarding support for a small additional fee. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Find out more in our PureVPN review.

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8. CyberGhost

CyberGhost operates a network of high-speed servers throughout 100+ countries, with some specifically designed to access Irish streaming platforms like RTE from abroad. It was great to see that international platforms weren’t neglected either, with CyberGhost reliably unblocking BBC iPlayer, Sky Go, and Hulu. Alternatively, you can try its P2P or gaming servers for the fastest-possible connection. This VPN offers 24/7 support over live chat and lets you secure up to seven devices at once.

CyberGhost delivered extremely consistent results, with less than 3 Mbps of difference between its best and worst performance. With an average speed of 144.65 Mbps, you’ll be able to stream Irish TV abroad, download large files, and take part in video calls without the slightest interruption (provided your base internet speeds are similar to the 250 Mbps connection used during testing). Here are my findings:

Novice users will appreciate that most of CyberGhost’s privacy tools come enabled by default. You won’t have to activate its uncrackable encryption, kill switch, leak protection, or ad and tracker-blocking features since they’re already active from the moment you connect. If you would like to take advantage of more advanced tools (split tunneling functionality, random port-based obfuscation, or customizable smart rules), there will be some digging in the menus required but overall, nothing too difficult. Most importantly, CyberGhost doesn’t keep any logs of your activities.

Apps are available for Windows, Android, MacOS, Linux, and iOS devices. This service can be manually configured with on select internet routers.

BEGINNER'S 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. This no-logs VPN delivers first-class streaming ability and a 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our in-depth CyberGhost review for more details.

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9. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN is another high-quality provider that’s great for international travelers. It’s affordable, able to regain access to popular streaming apps like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video abroad, and permits up to 10 simultaneous connections. This VPN owns its network outright, and while there are only 200 servers to choose from (with just one in Dublin), the added privacy that self-managed infrastructure provides is a huge benefit. If you need help, support staff are available 24 hours per day via live chat.

PrivateVPN was slower than the others providers in this list, with an average speed of 89.93 Mbps. However, even this is still significantly quicker than most other VPNs on the market, and the vast majority would have a lot more than 4 Mbps of fluctuation after a day of testing. No matter what activities you have planned, PrivateVPN is up to the challenge. The table below shows my full speed test results:

This service lets you choose whether to use 128-bit or 256-bit AES encryption (I’d suggest 256-bits for maximum privacy). It also prevents DNS and IPv6 leaks, has a customizable, app-specific kill switch, and works anywhere in the world thanks to its censorship-busting Stealth mode.

PrivateVPN has a no-logs policy but hasn’t been audited to prove it just yet. There’s also port forwarding support and it doesn’t cost anything extra, which is great. If I had to find something to complain about, it’d be the lack of an ad or tracker-blocking feature since these are quickly becoming expected features for any provider that’s serious about user security.

This VPN provides apps for Android, MacOS, iOS, and Windows. Its website offers manual configuration instructions for routers and supported Linux distros.

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.

Check out our extensive review of PrivateVPN.

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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 (I 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

They can be tempting, but I don’t recommend using free VPNs. For starters, their speeds usually leave a lot to be desired and you’ll often only have access to a handful of servers. Additionally, most free VPN providers have low monthly bandwidth limits, forcing you to pay anyway if you want to use them regularly.

Second, and perhaps most troubling, free VPNs aren’t actually free: you are the product. It’s not unusual for free providers to sell details of your activities to advertisers or 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.

Finally, free VPNs tend to have extremely poor privacy protections. Studies have shown that they frequently contain malware, with one revealing that almost one-in-five free VPN apps failed to use any encryption at all. If you’re going to have to compromise on security, you may as well not use a VPN to begin with, which is why I suggest using a reputable paid VPN instead of whatever is freely available. 

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, several Irish ISPs use “three-strike” systems designed to cut off services from customers who repeatedly download copyright content.

Unfortunately, the problems don’t stop there. Like many other countries and US states, Ireland has implemented mandatory age-verification for access to adult content. However, the government is reportedly planning to make its own yet-to-be-designed digital wallet the only acceptable form of verification. That’s a privacy nightmare, yet one that’s easily sidestepped with the help of a VPN.

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