How to Watch Irish TV Channels in South Africa [Updated Nov 2024]

By Ethan Tyson Leave a Comment

Watch-Irish-TV-Channels-in-South-Africa

Ireland boasts an impressive lineup of channels, including TV3, TG4, and RTÉ. But here’s the catch: as soon as you leave Irish soil – poof! Your favorite flicks are gone with the wind due to pesky geo-restrictions. So travel wisely, my friends – no matter where ’tis calling thee!

‘Cough,’ that’s a lot of Irish for today!

Anyway, if you’re jetting off to South Africa, be it business or pleasure, you won’t be able to access any local Irish channels or streaming services. For example, if you try to access TG4 in South Africa, you’ll see this error on your screen:

“Due to rights restrictions this programme is not available in your region.”

However, the good news is that a VPN can allow you to effortlessly unblock geographically restricted content wherever you are. So, if you’re in South Africa, you can unblock Irish TV channels in South Africa with a VPN easily.

But which VPN should you get?

Well, choosing a VPN can be a tricky business, but fear not! I’ve got a recommendation for you: ExpressVPN. At just $6.67/month (49% off) – 1 year + 3 months free you’ll get an access to 3000+ servers spread across 94+ countries, it’s no surprise that ExpressVPN can easily bypass geo-restrictions on streaming services like Netflix US and Hulu.

And that’s not all! In my extensive testing, ExpressVPN consistently delivered speeds of up to 89.54 Mbps (100 Mbps connection). Plus, you can connect up to 8 devices simultaneously and enjoy a full 30-day money-back guarantee.

4 Quick Steps to Watch Irish TV Channels in South Africa

Here’s a quick guide to watching Irish TV channels in South Africa using these 4 steps:

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  1. Subscribe to a VPN that offers Irish servers. I recommend ExpressVPN that cost only $6.67/month (49% off) – 1 year + 3 months free.
  2. Download the VPN.
  3. Connect to an Irish server.
  4. Stream Irish TV channels in South Africa!

Unblock Irish TV in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Why VPN Is Needed to Unblock Irish TV Channels in South Africa?

Various Irish channels are subject to geo-blocks. Because of this, you won’t be able to access popular Irish channels like TG4 and RTÉ in South Africa.

That’s due to distribution rights, licensing agreements, and copyright laws. As a result, if you attempt to watch Irish TV in South Africa, you will encounter geo-restriction errors. For example, if you access RTÉ in South Africa, you’ll see this error message:

rte-geo-restriction-error

Want to get around those pesky geo-restrictions? A virtual private network (VPN) can be your saving grace! It will give you a local IP address of any country, allowing you to bypass country blocks and hide and encrypt all of your data – ensuring ultimate security while browsing.

So whether it’s streaming Netflix libraries from different countries or just accessing content without censorship constraints, VPNs have got you covered with their unlimited bandwidth capabilities.

For unblocking Irish TV channels, I recommend you get ExpressVPN for just $6.67/month (49% off) – 1 year + 3 months free.

Access Irish TV in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Quick Overview of the Best VPNs to Watch Irish TV Channels in South Africa

Best Overall VPN
$ 6.67
  • 80+ Mbps /100 Mbps
  • 3000+ servers (90+ countries)
  • 5.0/5.0 stars
  • 8 multi-logins
  • 49% Discount
  • 3 Months Free
Get ExpressVPN
Most Affordable VPN
$ 2.29
  • 75+ Mbps /100 Mbps
  • 3200+ servers (100+ countries)
  • 4.8/5.0 stars
  • Unlimited multi-logins
  • 85% Discount
  • 2 Months Free
Get Surfshark
Massive VPN Servers
$ 3.09
  • 70+ Mbps /100 Mbps
  • 5,600+ servers (59+ countries)
  • 4.0/5.0 stars
  • 6 multi-logins
  • 58% Discount
  • 3 Months Free
Get NordVPN

Best VPNs to Watch Irish TV Channels in South Africa 

1. ExpressVPN: Overall Best VPN to Watch Irish TV Channels in South Africa

ExpressVPN-howtowatchchannel

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on my list to access Irish TV channels in South Africa. Sure, it may cost more, but you’ll get what you pay for a lightning-fast connection that lets you enjoy your favorite Irish TV shows with zippier loading times and zero buffering.

This VPN offers 3000+ servers in 94 countries. Among these, various servers are present in 1 Irish location. After connecting to one of ExpressVPN’s Irish servers, I could unblock the Irish library of Amazon Prime, Netflix, and Disney+. I was also able to unblock the mighty BBC One NI with ease. 

Once unlocked, I could stream all my favorite Irish crime TV series in HD. I further tested its speeds and got 89.54 Mbps of download speeds on a 100 Mbps connection.

How insane is that!

Additionally, it’s compatible with all major devices, including iOS, Windows, Android, FireStick, Roku, and gaming consoles. It also offers 8 simultaneous connections, so you can use it on multiple devices simultaneously.

In terms of pricing, ExpressVPN’s 1-year package costs $6.67/month (49% off) + 3 months free. No matter which subscription plan you choose, you’ll enjoy a 30-day money-back guarantee.

So why wait? Give ExpressVPN a try and start enjoying your favorite Irish TV channels today!

Watch Irish TV in South Africa with ExpressVPN

2. Surfshark: Affordable VPN to Watch Irish TV Channels in South Africa

Surfshark-howtowatchchannel

Surfshark is my second recommendation to get Irish TV channels in South Africa. Not only is this VPN reasonably priced, but it also offers reliable servers to unblock Irish channels like 3e, TG4, RTE, and Irish Netflix in the blink of an eye.

Speaking of servers, Surfshark offers 3200+ servers across 100 countries, out of which plenty of servers are present in 1 location in Ireland. I could stream popular Irish TV series like “Vikings” using this server without issues.

No matter what I played, everything streamed in HD quality without lags. To test how quick Surfshark was, I put my 100 Mbps connection to the test and was thrilled with the results – clocking in a lightning-fast 85.71 Mbps!

Not only is Surfshark fast, but also budget-friendly. I mean, it offers unlimited simultaneous connections. I could connect the VPN to as many devices as I like with just one account. Not only that, it’s compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Roku, Kodi, FireStick, and more.

Say goodbye to using different VPNs for different devices!

As for pricing, you can get it for just $2.29/mo (85% discount – 2 years). With an unbeatable price, users can also enjoy a free month of the service! Thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee.

Unblock Irish TV in South Africa with Surfshark

3. NordVPN: Reliable VPN to Watch Irish TV Channels in South Africa With a Massive Server Network

NordVPN-howtowatchchannel

NordVPN has your Irish TV channel cravings covered! Its massive global network makes it one of the few VPNs offering over 5200 servers in 59 countries – 50+ in Ireland alone. 

Using NordVPN’s colossal server network, I could easily access Disney+, Amazon Prime, and Netflix Irish libraries. I could also bypass the tough geo-blocks of TG4 and TV3 and stream The Bridge in glorious HD!

My streaming experience was smooth sailing! When I tested the Irish server on my speedy 100 Mbps connection, it screamed down the line at an impressive 82.63 Mbps – lightning-fast with no hitches whatsoever!

Still not convinced why you should get NordVPN?

NordVPN makes it easy to enjoy Irish TV channels on any device of your choice – be it a FireStick, Xbox, Roku, or beyond! With 6 simultaneous connections offered and apps available for all major systems and devices, you can trust NordVPN to help you unblock any geo-blocked channel or streaming service of your choice. 

Finally, as for pricing, NordVPN costs just $3.09/month (58% off) and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Access Irish TV in South Africa with NordVPN

Methodology: Selecting the Top VPNs for Unblocking Irish TV Channels in South Africa

With numerous VPNs marketing themselves as the best, selecting the best option can be tricky. Some prioritize speed or top-notch security, while others provide expansive networks to access global streaming services with ease — each offering its own distinct set of features and benefits.

To find the best VPNs for unblocking Irish channels and streaming platforms like RTÉ One, Virgin Media One, TG4, and more, I looked for providers that met the following criteria:

  • I verified that all the VPNs I mentioned offer servers in Ireland for you to access Irish TV channels in South Africa.
  • To determine which VPNs are most reliable, I tested each to ensure they work with all popular Irish streaming services.
  • I tested the speeds of each VPN and only listed the ones that dropped my speed by no more than 20%.
  • I ensured that the top VPNs were compatible with multiple devices.
  • I also made sure that the VPN I recommend to you all offers 24/7 live chat support.

ExpressVPN came on top – costing only $6.67/mo (49% discount + 3 months free).

Get Irish TV in South Africa with ExpressVPN

How to Sign Up for Irish TV Channels in South Africa?

To enjoy the complete spectrum of Irish drama, comedy, and entertainment programming, subscribing to an Irish TV channel is a must. Although I’m demonstrating the process using Virgin Media Player as an example, you can follow similar steps to sign up for any streaming platform.

  • Subscribe to a VPN with Irish servers. I recommend ExpressVPN for just $6.67/mo (49% discount).
  • Download the ExpressvPN app on your device and connect to its Irish server.

expressvpn-irish-server

  • Head to the Virgin Media Player website and sign in/create an account. You can follow similar steps for any other Irish streaming service.

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  • Now click on the “Register here” option.

Irish-TV-Channel-Virgin-Media-Player-TV3-Player-sign-up-4

  • Afterward, provide your personal information and choose an email address along with a password to complete the registration process for your account. (For an Ireland zip code, you can search and pick one from Google if required). Now click the “Create account” button to complete the sign-up process.

Irish-TV-Channel-Virgin-Media-Player-TV3-Player-sign-up-5

Can I Watch Irish TV Channels in South Africa With a Free VPN?

With a free VPN, you may be able to unblock a few Irish TV streaming services, but you’ll discover that most free VPNs are generally very bad at unblocking.

For instance, only a few free VPNs can unblock popular streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime. Another issue is that free VPNs have a small number of servers, sluggish speeds, and bandwidth caps. Considering all of this, streaming is difficult.

In terms of security, free VPNs also struggle. Many are missing crucial features, like a kill switch. Your data has a higher chance of being intercepted by hackers or snoopers as a result. 

It’s also possible that a free VPN records information about you, like your IP address and browsing history. Then, this data is sold to third parties.

This is why I advise you to choose a premium VPN like ExpressVPN to watch Irish TV channels online for free with the best streaming quality. The good thing is that it only costs $6.67/mo (49% discount + 3 months free), so you won’t find it heavy on your pocket as well.

Stream Irish TV in South Africa with ExpressVPN

What Irish TV Channels Can I Watch Online for Free in South Africa With a VPN?

Following are a few Irish channels that you can access in South Africa with a VPN:

Unblock Irish TV in South Africa with ExpressVPN

Worth Watching Content on Irish TV Channels in South Africa

Irish TV channels have a repository of popular Irish titles that you can binge-watch right away. Here is a list of the best Irish TV shows to watch in South Africa:

Best Irish TV Shows to Watch in South Africa

FAQs - Irish TV Channels in South Africa

Which VPN is best for unblocking Irish TV channels in South Africa?

As per my testing, ExpressVPN is the best VPN to watch Irish TV channels in South Africa. The VPN offers multiple servers in Ireland and fast speeds that you can use to stream Irish TV channels in South Africa.

Can I stream RTE from South Africa with a VPN?

A VPN will provide you with an Irish IP address that will unblock RTE Player. To obtain an Irish IP address that you can use to access RTE Player content, you need to connect to an Irish VPN server. I recommend using ExpressVPN.

How can I watch TG4 in South Africa?

If you use a VPN and connect to a server in Ireland, all the content of TG4 will become available to you in South Africa. All you need to do with your VPN is choose an Irish server, and you’ll be able to watch TG4 live and its whole on-demand library without any restrictions. I would suggest using ExpressVPN.

How can I watch Irish TV channels on iOS in South Africa?

  1. Sign up for a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN on your iOS device.
  2. Head to the VPN server’s list and choose an Irish server to connect to.
  3. Open the Settings app on your iOS device.
  4. Tap on your name, then tap on Media & Purchases.
  5. Next, tap on View Account. At this point, you may be asked to sign in to your account.
  6. Next, tap on the Country/Region.
  7. Tap on the Change Country or Region option.
  8. Scroll and choose Ireland as your new country or region and agree to the terms and conditions.
  9. Tap on Agree option located in the top right-hand corner and then tap on Agree again to confirm.
  10. Finally, select a payment method and enter your new payment information and billing address. After that, tap Next.
  11. Once your region changes, visit the Apple App Store and search for any Irish TV channel app you want to stream.
  12. Download and install that Irish TV channel app on your iOS device and start watching it in South Africa.

How can I watch Irish TV channels on Android in South Africa?

  1. Sign up for a reliable VPN like ExpressVPN on your Android device.
  2. Head to the VPN server’s list and connect to its Irish server.
  3. On your Android device, open the Google Play app.
  4. Tap on the profile icon.
  5. Tap on Settings > General > Account and device preferences > Country and Profiles.
  6. Tap on Ireland from the list.
  7. Follow the instructions you see on your screen to add a payment method for that country.
  8. Once your account region is changed, search for any Irish TV channel app in the search bar and install it on your Android device.
  9. Sign in to that Irish TV channel account and watch any content in South Africa.

Other Channels That You Can Unblock in South Africa

Conclusion

If you’re an Irish TV channels fan, don’t let yourself be frustrated by geo-restrictions that keep you from enjoying your favorite content. Get past the barriers with a secure VPN and jump into hours of entertaining viewing!

There are a few reliable choices available, but ExpressVPN is my top recommendation for watching Irish TV channels in South Africa. It is secure, has a vast network of servers, and boasts the fastest connection speeds for high-quality streaming. Moreover, it costs only $6.67/month (49% off) – 1 year + 3 months free, making it the fastest and premium VPN choice.

So why not give ExpressVPN a try and see for yourself why it’s the top pick for so many VPN users?

Ethan Tyson
Ethan Tyson

Ethan Tyson is a movie critic and an avid streamer. There's hardly any time when he's not writing something or keenly deconstructing the plot of hit movies or TV shows. Ethan writes useful guides on HowToWatchChannels.com to help readers access channels from around the world anywhere, anytime.