Power Plugs and Sockets in Ireland - Do You Need an Adapter?

If you are travelling to Ireland 🇮🇪 from Canada 🇨🇦, then YES, you will need an adapter.

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In Ireland, the plug types used are G. The voltage is 230 V with a frequency of 50Hz. On the other hand, in Canada, the plug types used are A and B. The voltage in Canada is 120 V with a frequency of 60Hz.

Type G

⚠️ Your devices from Canada of type A and B will not be valid for any socket and you will need an adapter.

⚠️ Be careful with the voltage difference. In Ireland they use 230 V while in Canada you have 120 V.

What are the plugs like in Ireland?

In Ireland, the predominant plug types are G. If you are coming from Canada, then your devices are of type A or B.

For this reason, you will need an adapter, as the plugs in Ireland are not compatible with the devices from Canada and you will not be able to use your devices.

Special considerations

In Ireland, type G sockets and plugs are the standard. Type F plugs (“side earth”) are occasionally seen in old installations. In bathrooms, a socket for ‘shavers’ (similar to type C) that provides low voltage to certain types of plugs, is sometimes found. These almost always have one socket at 115 V and another at 230 V in the same unit, or a switch to choose the voltage, which is usually labeled as 115 V and 230 V. Type G often comes with a power switch on the socket.

Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to Ireland?

It is important to know that in Ireland the electrical voltage is 230 V, with a frequency of 50Hz. In Canada, the electrical voltage is 120 V and the frequency is 60Hz.

Due to the large voltage difference, you will need to use a voltage converter to use your devices in Ireland. However, it is important to mention that nowadays many electronic devices (such as mobile phones) are dual voltage, in which case a converter would not be necessary. In the Frequently Asked Questions section, we show you how to verify if your devices are dual voltage.

Regardless of whether you need a voltage converter or not, you need a plug adapter, because the plug types are different in Ireland.

Table of Contents

What are the plugs like in Ireland?
Do I need a voltage and frequency converter to travel to Ireland?
Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

Below we will answer some of the most common questions asked by travelers going to Ireland.

Can I charge my iPhone or Android mobile device in Ireland?

If you are travelling from Canada to Ireland, you will need an adapter to charge your iPhone or Android mobile device. While it is true that nowadays these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, it should be remembered that both countries have incompatible plug types, so you will need an adapter in Ireland to charge your iPhone or Android.

Can I plug in my laptop charger in Ireland?

If you are travelling from Canada to Ireland, you will need an adapter to charge your laptop. Generally, these devices are designed to work with wide ranges of voltage and frequency, but it should be remembered that Canada and Ireland have incompatible plug types, so an adapter is necessary to charge your laptop in Ireland.

Can I use my hair dryer or straightener in Ireland?

The truth is that you have to be careful with products like hair dryers or hair straighteners, because they are generally not dual voltage. Since the voltage difference is so great between Canada and Ireland, we recommend buying a voltage adapter to be able to use your hair dryer safely in Ireland.

However, since the plugs in Ireland and Canada are not compatible, you will need a plug adapter to be able to use the hair straightener and hair dryer.

How do I know if my electrical device is dual voltage?

To know if your electrical device is dual voltage, you must check the label or product specifications. If the label indicates a voltage range, such as 100~240V and a frequency range like 50~60Hz, then your device is dual voltage and can be used without any problems. If your device is not dual voltage, then you will need a voltage converter to be able to use it in sockets in Ireland with a different voltage than your device.

However, remember that dual voltage only affects the voltage and frequency.Since you are travelling to Ireland from Canada, you will still need a plug adapter.

Dual Voltage Plug

What happens if I connect a 120 V device to a 230 V socket without an adapter?

Under no circumstances should you attempt to connect a 120 V device from Canada to a 230 V socket in Ireland without a voltage adapter. Doing this poses a great danger and the device could cause a fire. Before travelling to Ireland, make sure you have a voltage adapter.

What happens if I connect a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket without an adapter?

When connecting a 60Hz device to a 50Hz socket in Ireland without a frequency adapter, the worst that can happen is that the device may run at a slower speed than expected. Nowadays, most devices are prepared for these small frequency differences, but in older devices, the difference may be more noticeable.