Internet in Dublin — average 230 Mbps download
Dublin’s fixed broadband is fast and reliable in the city centre and inner suburbs. Average download speeds sit around 230 Mbps, with fiber available in most of Dublin 1-8. Upload speeds average 54 Mbps — enough for video calls and screen sharing without issues. Mobile internet averages 144 Mbps download on 4G/5G, with 17 ms latency.
The weak spots: some older apartment blocks in Rathmines and Ranelagh are stuck on VDSL (30-80 Mbps) because the building hasn’t been wired for fiber. Always check the specific address on Eir or Virgin Media’s coverage checker before signing a lease.
Providers and options
Average Speed
230 Mbps
Reliability
Reliable in Dublin 1-8, variable in outer suburbs
| Provider | Type | Speed | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eir Fibre | Fixed Broadband | 150-1000 Mbps | Largest fiber network in Ireland. 1 Gbps available in most of Dublin. EUR 45-65/month. |
| Virgin Media | Fixed Broadband | 250-1000 Mbps | Cable network, strong in Dublin suburbs. No-contract options available. EUR 40-60/month. |
| Sky Ireland | Fixed Broadband | 60-500 Mbps | Uses Eir's fiber network. Cheaper bundles if you want TV included. EUR 35-55/month. |
| Three Ireland | Mobile/5G Home | 100-300 Mbps | 5G home broadband — no landline needed. Good backup option. EUR 30/month unlimited. |
| Vodafone Ireland | Mobile | 80-200 Mbps | Reliable 4G/5G coverage. Prepay SIM with 30 GB for EUR 20/month. |
Tips for reliable connectivity
Get a local SIM on arrival. Three Ireland offers unlimited data for EUR 20/month on prepay — use this as your mobile backup. Buy it at any Three store or Carphone Warehouse on Grafton Street. eSIM is available if your phone supports it.
Test before you commit. If renting an apartment for 1+ months, ask the landlord for a speedtest screenshot or run one yourself during the viewing. Advertised speeds and actual speeds can differ by 50% in older buildings.
VPN considerations. Ireland has no internet censorship, but if you’re accessing geo-restricted work tools, a VPN (EUR 5-10/month) handles that. NordVPN and Mullvad both have nearby servers in Dublin and London.
Coworking as backup. If your apartment WiFi drops during an important call, Dogpatch Labs and The Tara Building both offer walk-in day passes. Keep a backup location bookmarked.
Best-connected areas
Grand Canal Dock / Silicon Docks (Dublin 2/4): Fiber everywhere, 300+ Mbps standard. Built for tech companies, benefits residents too.
Dublin 1 (City Centre North): Good coverage from both Eir and Virgin Media. Most apartments in the IFSC area have fiber.
Smithfield / Stoneybatter (Dublin 7): Mixed — newer developments have fiber, older terraced houses may be VDSL only. Check per-address.
Rathmines / Ranelagh (Dublin 6): Popular with remote workers but some buildings are on older infrastructure. Street-level checks essential.
Avoid assumptions in: Dublin 12, Dublin 22, and outer suburbs where fiber rollout is still patchy.