If meandering through the deep green countryside of magical Ireland is on your list of things to do in this life, you’re not alone. In this country known for idyllic scenery, castles, mystical lore, and friendly people, you’ll find that giving yourself over to the pleasures of Ireland can be a truly carefree experience, especially if you can communicate with the rest of the world while you’re doing it. Having a cell phone in Ireland can be a real plus when your wanderlust lands you in the middle of nowhere with not a living soul to be found, save for a curious sheep or two. Whether you need directions out of sheep country, road service, or just want to call home and brag about kissing the Blarney Stone, you can get a cell phone for Ireland pretty simply, and have all the modern convenience and peace of mind you need to really enjoy your Irish experience.

The first thing you need to know about cell phone service in the Republic of Ireland is that, like most of the rest of the world, everything is based on the GSM type of mobile service. If you are from the USA, this means your phone probably will not work in Ireland. Most American cell phone services are based on CDMA, TDMA or other mobile technologies that simply don’t work elsewhere. If you’re from the more than 200 countries in the world using GSM, it’s quite possible your very own phone will work in Ireland, but the roaming and data charges might cost more than your entire vacation!

There ARE other options. Several international companies offer fairly inexpensive phones you can buy exclusively for use when exploring far away lands. These phones are designed to work equally well in hundreds of nations, and often allow you to maintain just one international phone number wherever you go. Most of these world phones only charge you if and when you use the phone. While per-minute charges can be expensive, these phones are a great option if you mainly plan to use them once-in-a-while or just for emergencies. The quality of service, cost of buying the phone itself, and usage charges vary from company to company, so do your research and shop around to find the best fit for your needs.

The nice thing about the other option for having a cell phone in Ireland is that if a naughty leprechaun steals your phone while you’re standing around being a tourist, you won’t have lost anything too expensive. This option is the pre-paid phone service you can get just for the time you’ll be vacationing in Ireland. You can either purchase an entire pre-paid phone that will provide you with service and a local phone number, or if you already have a GSM phone, you can just buy a sim card that you can easily snap into your own phone. Either way, chances are your per-minute charges will be quite reasonable and incoming calls are often free, even when they originate from back home!

Whatever you choose, you’ll be glad you got a cell phone for Ireland. You’ll be able to relax and feel like a savvy traveler whether you’re shopping on Dublin’s Grafton Street or driving the beautiful Ring of Kerry. Pack your bags and go live the dream of visiting Ireland. And when you’re standing atop the dramatic Cliffs of Moher, pull out your phone and call home. It will be a lot more effective than trying to shout across the sea!