How to Access RTÉ Player Outside Ireland in 2024: A Straightforward Guide

Written by: Tomas Mazowski, TV enthusiast and streaming expert
Last updated: November 20, 2024

For those who have wandered from the Emerald Isle, the lilt of a familiar Irish voice can stir up nostalgia for home. RTÉ Player, the streaming service of Ireland's national public broadcaster Raidió Teilifís Éireann, offers a fantastic selection of Irish TV shows, documentaries, sports, and more. But for Irish people abroad, accessing these comforting programs and sporting events is no easy feat.

RTÉ Player, Ireland's national broadcasting treasure trove, remains tantalizingly out of reach due to geo-blocking restrictions. These digital barriers protect licensing rights but leave viewers crestfallen with messages like "Available in Ireland only."

Follow along with our 10-minute guide to gain all the knowledge you'll need to stream your favorite Irish shows, live news, and GAA matches without any geographic restrictions. We'll help you banish those "not available in your location" messages for good.

Why RTÉ Player is Blocked Outside Ireland

Most major streaming platforms geo-restrict content based on broadcasting rights sold country-by-country. RTÉ Player is no exception.

RTÉ owns the rights to distribute its programming only within Ireland. Streaming this content outside the country would violate their content licenses. RTÉ Player checks your IP address when you try to access the service to enforce these geo-restrictions. If it detects you are connecting from outside Ireland, access is blocked.

This is understandable from a business perspective but disappointing if you want to watch RTÉ Player abroad. Thankfully, VPNs provide an easy workaround.

How a VPN Unblocks RTÉ Player Overseas

A Virtual Private Network (VPN) gives you an Irish IP address by routing your traffic through a server located in Ireland. This tricks RTÉ Player into thinking you are accessing the service from within Ireland. Geo-restrictions are bypassed, and content streams freely.

When choosing a VPN for RTÉ Player, you want to ensure it offers:

• Servers based in Ireland will assign you an Irish IP address. Look for VPNs with multiple Irish servers for consistent performance.
• Fast connection speeds to handle live streams and HD content smoothly. Slow VPNs lead to endless buffering.
• Apps for all your devices - mobiles, laptops, streaming boxes, and more.
• Simple, user-friendly interfaces to make using the VPN hassle-free.
• Strong encryption and privacy policies to keep your viewing secure.

Step-by-step: how to watch RTÉ Player if you're outside Ireland

Follow the steps below to get set up with a VPN and unblock RTÉ Player anywhere in the world.

Step 1: Select a Reliable VPN Service

With hundreds of VPN services available on the market, finding one that consistently works well with streaming platforms like RTÉ Player can be challenging.

To help narrow your search, I recommend ExpressVPN as the top VPN for unblocking RTÉ players abroad.

#1 ExpressVPN - Our top recommendation

Here's an overview of what makes ExpressVPN great for streaming:

• Lightning-fast speeds for smooth playback - crucial for sports and news.
• There is a large network of servers in 94 countries, including multiple servers in Ireland.
• MediaStreamer SmartDNS feature is fine-tuned for accessing geo-blocked services.
• User-friendly apps for all major platforms - Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more.
• Strong 256-bit AES encryption and a strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy.
• A 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free

Click here to unblock RTÉ Player using ExpressVPN

#2 Surfshark - A great alternative

If you choose a two-year subscription, Surfshark will only cost you just over €2 per month. Their app is straightforward and their customer service is very helpful. Surfshark is a great budget alternative that lets you unblock RTÉ and many other international streaming services. You can stream on an unlimited number of devices, a feature we really like since it makes it easy to share the VPN with the rest of the family.

Click here to unblock RTÉ Player using Surfshark

#3 NordVPN - Popular choice

NordVPN is reliable and has been around for a long time, which is why it’s one of the most popular services right now. And, if you choose a longer plan, they’re very reasonable in price. NordVPN works great with RTÉ Player and other Irish broadcasters, and it will also give you access to a few more streaming services like ABC and Eleven Sports.

Click here to unblock RTÉ Player using NordVPN

Which one to choose?
If your main reason for choosing a VPN is to stream video, then we recommend ExpressVPN. They are currently offering 3 extra months for FREE with their 12-month plan - a great choice for you and all the family. Together with their 30-day money-back guarantee it means you can try it out risk free and get a full refund if you're not happy!

ExpressVPN - Get 3 extra months FREE
30-day money-back guarantee

Step 2: Install the VPN App and connect to an Irish Server

Once signed up, you must download and install the VPN app on the devices you want to stream from. The process is quick and easy across all platforms. Log into your VPN account through the app, and you'll have access to all available server locations.

Look for a server located in Ireland and click to connect. This will assign you an Irish IP address and route your traffic through the VPN server. Connecting is typically instant - you'll see your IP address switch to an Irish one as soon as you're connected. It's that simple.

Step 3: Sit Back and Enjoy RTÉ Player Anywhere

With your Irish IP address active, you can now open RTÉ Player and access all your favorite shows and live sports, regardless of where you are. You can watch RTÉ Player content on their website directly in your browser. Or use the RTÉ Player app on your mobile devices and streaming TV boxes.

Since you appear to be connecting from Ireland, geo-restrictions are bypassed. No more annoying error messages. Plus, with a top-tier VPN like ExpressVPN shielding your activity, RTÉ cannot know you're actually streaming from abroad. So, you can enjoy the best Irish telly worldwide, from news and documentaries to GAA games and drams, without any worries.

Handy Tips for Streaming RTÉ Players on All Devices

Thanks to VPNs, streaming RTÉ Player overseas is easy. Here are some useful tips:

• Use the RTÉ Player app on your mobile device for stable live streams on the go rather than streaming through a browser. Apps provide better performance.
• If using RTÉ Player on a streaming media device like Firestick or Chromecast, install the VPN app directly rather than just using it on your phone. This delivers faster speeds.
• Connect to the nearest Irish server for your location to reduce latency. This is especially helpful for live streams which require real-time performance.
• If you experience buffering or other issues, try switching to another Irish VPN server. Having multiple server options improves consistency.

Follow these tips, and you'll be streaming RTÉ Player smoothly, no matter where your travels take you.

Unblocking Other Geo-Restricted Services

A top VPN like ExpressVPN doesn't just unblock RTÉ Player - it lets you access a wide range of streaming platforms and live sports coverage normally geo-blocked overseas.

In addition to RTÉ Player, a VPN will let you watch:

• RTÉ News and RTÉ Player International live streams
• Virgin Media TV and Virgin Media Sport from Ireland
• TG4 and TG4 Player for Irish language programming
• BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub shows accessible from the UK
• US Netflix and Hulu libraries
• Disney+ content exclusive to different countries
• Major sporting events worldwide

So, your VPN subscription gives you far more streaming flexibility, allowing you to access Irish and international content. Well worth it.

Summing Up: How to Watch RTÉ Player Anywhere

In a nutshell:

1. Choose a premium VPN (our recommendation is ExpressVPN).
2. Install the app and connect to an Irish server to get an Irish IP address.
3. Enjoy RTÉ Player outside Ireland without geo-blocks.

You can stream the best Irish television worldwide with just a few minutes of easy setup. No more missing your favorite shows, news, or big games when traveling or living abroad.

So, get your VPN subscription today and take the spirit of Ireland along wherever you roam. Sláinte!

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need a valid TV license to watch RTÉ live TV abroad?

Using a VPN, you can access live RTÉ TV channels like RTÉ One, RTÉ2, RTÉ News Now, and RTÉ Jr. There is no need for a valid TV license to watch live TV on RTÉ Player. Just connect to an Irish server using your VPN and head over to RTÉ Player Live.

Is it illegal to use a VPN to watch RTÉ Player abroad?

No, using a VPN to access geo-blocked content like RTÉ Player is perfectly legal. VPNs allow you to change your virtual location for privacy and access purposes. Using a VPN to watch RTÉ Player from abroad is fine if you're not engaging in illegal streaming or downloading.

Does a free VPN work with RTÉ Player?

Free VPNs often need more speeds and server reliability for smooth streaming. We don't recommend using a free VPN to unblock RTÉ Player. For the best streaming experience, choose a premium VPN like ExpressVPN.

Does the VPN work in all countries?

Leading VPNs like ExpressVPN work in almost every country worldwide. As long as an internet connection is available, you can unblock and stream RTÉ Player from abroad using the VPN.

What is the best VPN for accessing RTÉ Player abroad?

Based on extensive testing and reliability, we recommend using ExpressVPN to unblock and stream RTÉ Player from anywhere. ExpressVPN offers fast Irish servers optimized for streaming, easy-to-use apps for all devices, and a 30-day money-back guarantee to try it risk-free.