How to Watch BBC iPlayer in Ireland in 3 steps

The luck of the Irish is legendary, but it unfortunately doesn’t extend to streaming. Much like leprechauns, the merrow, and pots of gold at the ends of rainbows, BBC iPlayer is the stuff of myth and legend in Ireland.

Fortunately, CyberGhost VPN can sprinkle some digital fairy dust over your devices so that you can still watch the best of the BBC when you travel to the Emerald Isle. 

Our ultra-fast, super secure servers in the UK allow you to virtually relocate yourself to make it look like you’re at home — even if you’re enjoying a good craic with a pint of Guinness at The Temple Bar!

Not all VPNs work with BBC iPlayer, but CyberGhost does. Our fast network means you can stream all of your favorite shows without buffering.  We even have streaming-optimized servers for BBC iPlayer that we check regularly to ensure you can watch without any error messages interrupting your experience.

Quick Guide: Watch BBC iPlayer In Ireland

  1. Sign up to CyberGhost VPN and install the app on your device. It’s quick and easy — even if you’ve never used a VPN before.
  2. Connect to our streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer in the UK.
  3. Start watching your favorite shows.

Why You Need a VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer

Action-packed days abound when you’re abroad and it’s always great to carve out time in your itinerary for taking it easy. Streaming an episode of one of the BBC’s award-winning series on iPlayer is a great way to unwind when you’re on the road. But you might run into a bit of a problem when you try to access the platform.

The BBC’s rights agreements require you to be in the UK to stream shows or watch BBC TV channels on iPlayer. If you try to watch this content while you’re in Ireland, you’ll see an error message telling you that you can’t stream from outside of the UK.

Fortunately, getting around this is pretty simple. You can use a VPN to mask your IP address and make it look like you’re watching from within the UK. All you need to do is connect to a UK server, log in to your iPlayer account, and start streaming as usual.

CyberGhost VPN has three VPN server locations in the UK, in London, Berkshire, and Manchester. We also have a streaming-optimized server just for BBC iPlayer, so you can watch Doctor Who or Happy Valley in Ireland without any error messages or glitching.

CyberGhost VPN: The Best VPN to Watch BBC iPlayer

Watch on Any Device

CyberGhost VPN has native apps for Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, Kodi, and other popular streaming devices. You can even use it to easily stream shows straight from your Smart TV

One CyberGhost VPN subscription lets you connect on up to 7 devices simultaneously. This means you can switch between watching your top BBC iPlayer shows on your laptop, tablet, or mobile phone while you’re on the go — without having to log in and out of your VPN on different devices.

Streaming-Optimized Servers for BBC iPlayer

CyberGhost VPN has streaming-optimized servers for BBC iPlayer that allow you to stream to your heart’s content. We test these servers regularly to ensure you won’t be blocked when trying to access the platform. This means that you can binge watch Peaky Blinders without running into any pesky error messages.

All of our servers are optimized for speed, so you get reliable, fast connections no matter where you’re watching. You can even stream smoothly in UHD.

Bye-Bye Bandwidth Limits

Some VPNs impose bandwidth limits. When you reach your daily or monthly data cap, the VPN either stops working or slows down. 

CyberGhost VPN never limits your data use, so you can stay up watching Sherlock as late as you like. Try it risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee.

Rocket Speed

A buffering wheel is the last thing you want when you’re watching an action-packed episode of Line of Duty. CyberGhost VPN gives you access to ultra-fast VPN servers that help you avoid interruptions and immerse yourself in the story.

We also have 10-Gbps servers in our most popular locations. This means that you can stream BBC iPlayer in high or ultra-high definition without having to worry about overcrowded servers slowing you down.

Bypass ISP Throttling

There’s nothing worse than settling down with your snacks, ready to binge watch the latest season of your favorite show only to find that it’s taking forever to load. This can happen when your ISP or network provider detects that you’re streaming and deliberately slows your connection.

CyberGhost VPN lets you hide your online activity from your ISP — and anyone else who might be watching — so they can’t micromanage your internet usage. Our military-grade encryption allows you to stream BBC iPlayer privately and securely, helping you to avoid activity-based throttling.

How to Sign Up for BBC iPlayer

Signing up for BBC iPlayer is quick and easy, but how you do it will depend on where you’re accessing the service from. Either way, you’ll need to create a BBC account.

Sign Up for BBC iPlayer from within the UK

  1. Go to the BBC iPlayer website.
  2. Click on Sign In.
  3. Scroll down on the sign-in page and click Register now.
  4. Follow the prompts and enter your details.
  5. Confirm and start streaming.

Sign Up for BBC iPlayer When Traveling Outside the UK

  1. Get CyberGhost VPN.
  2. Open the CyberGhost VPN app, click For streaming, and select the BBC iPlayer UK server.
  3. Go to the BBC iPlayer website.
  4. Click on Sign In.
  5. Scroll down on the sign-in page and click Register now.
  6. Follow the prompts and enter your details.
  7. Confirm and start watching BBC iPlayer.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer on Your Computer

It couldn’t be easier to stream BBC iPlayer on your Windows, macOS, or Linux computer. Simply:

  1. Visit the BBC iPlayer website.
  2. Sign in or register a new account.
  3. Find a show you want to watch, press play, and be entertained! 

If you want to stream BBC iPlayer while you’re traveling abroad, connect to CyberGhost VPN and choose our streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer. You can also download programs to play when you’re not connected to the internet or when you’re outside the UK. 

How to Watch BBC iPlayer on Mobile

The BBC iPlayer mobile app lets you watch your favorite shows on the go. Once you’re connected to a CyberGhost VPN UK server, you can binge-watch without restrictions. We have easy-to-use apps for Android and iOS devices.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer on iOS

  1. Change your Apple ID location to the UK.
  2. Go to the App Store, find, and download the BBC iPlayer app.
  3. Open the BBC iPlayer app.
  4. Tap Sign in.
  5. Enter your credentials.
  6. Choose a program and start streaming!

How to Watch BBC iPlayer on Android

  1. Go to Google Play Store.
  2. Change the “Country and Profile” setting in the Play Store to the UK.
  3. Find, download, and open the BBC iPlayer app.
  4. Tap Sign in.
  5. Enter your credentials.
  6. Find something good to watch and click play!

How to Watch BBC iPlayer on a Smart TV

You can start streaming BBC iPlayer shows directly on your Smart TV in a few simple steps. In order to stream securely, you’ll need to connect to one of CyberGhost VPN’s UK servers. How you do this will depend on your Smart TV’s operating system. 

If your Smart TV runs on Android TV, you can download the CyberGhost VPN app from Google Play, connect to our UK server, and follow the steps below to start watching. For other operating systems, you’ll either need to set up our VPN on your router or configure a Smart DNS on your device to change your IP address before connecting. (Keep in mind that while Smart DNS can change your IP address, it doesn’t provide the same security as a VPN.)

The make and model of the device you’re using will also affect how you access BBC iPlayer on your Smart TV. You can find exact instructions on the manufacturer’s website or in the owner’s manual, but you’ll generally need to:

  1. Go to the app store on your Smart TV.
  2. Download and open the BBC iPlayer App.
  3. Click Sign in.
  4. Enter your BBC account details.
  5. Choose a show and press play.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer on a Game Console

Although most game consoles don’t support VPNs natively, you can configure CyberGhost on your router. This will protect any device connected to the router, including your game console.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer on Xbox

BBC iPlayer is compatible with Xbox One, Xbox Series S, and Xbox Series X. It’s quick and easy to start watching on your Xbox.

  1. Sign in to the Xbox network.
  2. Go to the Microsoft Store and search ‘BBC iPlayer’.
  3. Click Get it Free to install the app.
  4. Click Sign in.
  5. Enter your credentials.
  6. Find a show, press Play and start watching.

How to Watch BBC iPlayer on PlayStation

You can watch BBC iPlayer on Playstation 4 and PlayStation 5. The process is slightly different on each console, but they’re both easy to set up.

PlayStation 4:

  1. Sign in to the Playstation Network.
  2. Go to TV/Video Services and select My channels.
  3. Select BBC iPlayer to download the service.
  4. Open the BBC iPlayer app.
  5. Click Sign in.
  6. Enter your credentials.
  7. Choose a show and press Play.

PlayStation 5:

  1. Sign in to the Playstation Network.
  2. Go to Media, select All Apps and find BBC iPlayer.
  3. Add BBC iPlayer to your apps library.
  4. Open the BBC iPlayer app.
  5. Click Sign in.
  6. Enter your BBC account details.
  7. Browse the shows, pick one, and start watching.

Other Ways to Watch BBC iPlayer

There are plenty of other ways that you can watch BBC iPlayer, including Amazon Fire TV Stick, Roku, Kodi, and Apple TV. The first thing you’ll want to do is download CyberGhost VPN on your streaming device or router and connect to a UK server to ensure that you can access the platform.

Amazon Fire TV Stick 

  1. Open the Amazon Fire TV Stick home page.
  2. Search for the BBC iPlayer app and install it.
  3. Launch BBC iPlayer.
  4. Click Sign in.
  5. Enter your credentials.
  6. Choose a show and start streaming.

Roku

  1. Navigate to the Roku Channel Store.
  2. Search for BBC iPlayer.
  3. Select the app from the results and click Add Channel to install it.
  4. Open the BBC iPlayer app.
  5. Click Sign in.
  6. Enter your BBC account details.
  7. Browse the titles, choose on, and press play.

Kodi

  1. Navigate to the Add-ons section.
  2. Click on Install from repository.
  3. Find the iPlayer WWW add-on and install it.
  4. Go to the Add-ons section and navigate to Video add-ons.
  5. Find and launch BBC iPlayer.
  6. Click Sign in.
  7. Enter your credentials.
  8. Find a show and start watching.

Apple TV

  1. Open the App Store on your Apple TV.
  2. Search for BBC iPlayer and download the app.
  3. Open the BBC iPlayer.
  4. Click Sign in.
  5. Log in with your BBC account credentials.
  6. Choose a show and press play.

How to Watch BBC Shows in Ireland without iPlayer

The BBC often syndicates (or sells the rights to) its programs, which allows other broadcasters and streaming platforms to show them. 

Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Netflix, and UKTV all have a selection of BBC shows in their libraries. You can also download shows from Apple’s UK iTunes Store and the Google Play Store for a fee. The offerings on these platforms change all the time, so you’ll need to check if your preferred provider is streaming the show you want to watch.

Another alternative is buying or renting DVDs or Blu-ray discs. Loads of older BBC series were released as box sets on DVD or Blu-ray, which you can watch anywhere — just as long as you have a device to play the discs!

What Channels Do You Get on BBC iPlayer?

BBC iPlayer features all of the national BBC channels. 

You can use the platform to tune into BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, and BBC Parliament. There’s also BBC Alba, a Scottish Gaelic-language channel, and S4C, which is a Welsh-language channel.

Besides TV channels, you can also listen to shows, segments, and snippets from BBC Radio One broadcasts, including its famous Live Lounge performances.

Keep in mind that the selection of shows and movies you see in the TV Guide will depend on the region you’ve chosen in iPlayer’s location setting.

What Are the Best Shows on BBC iPlayer?

The BBC has been around for more than a century and has produced loads of award-winning shows during that time. Whether you prefer gripping dramas, awe-inspiring documentaries, or side-splitting comedies, there’s plenty to stream on BBC iPlayer.

    • Doctor Who: This long-running science fiction series follows the Doctor, a Time Lord who travels through time and space saving lives and liberating oppressed peoples by battling extraterrestrial enemies.
    • Line of Duty: One of the best police procedural series broadcast in the past 10 years, Line of Duty follows the work of AC-12, an anti-corruption unit as they investigate and expose crooked cops.
    • Killing Eve: A talented but troubled MI6 agent, Eve Polastri, becomes obsessed with the elusive and stylish assassin Villanelle. A gripping cat-and-mouse game unfolds as this spy thriller series progresses.
    • Death in Paradise: Part crime drama, part comedy, Death in Paradise follows British Detective Inspector Richard Poole, who’s transferred from bustling London to an idyllic (but murder-plauged) Caribbean Island.
    • Sherlock: A contemporary adaptation of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic detective tales, this series follows the brilliant yet eccentric Sherlock Holmes and his friend Dr. John Watson as they solve seemingly unsolvable mysteries in London.

What Sports Can You Watch on BBC iPlayer?

You can stream sports both on BBC One and BBC Two on BBC iPlayer. These channels broadcast everything from rugby to rally and horse racing. Some of your sports options on iPlayer include:

    • Bowls
    • Canoeing
    • Cross country running
    • Darts
    • Golf
    • Horse racing
    • Motorcycle racing
    • Rally
    • Rugby
    • Showjumping
    • Snooker
    • Tennis
    • Triathlons

On top of live sporting events, you can also stream sport documentaries and analysis shows along with highlights reels from recent sports matches.

CyberGhost VPN — It’s Good Craic!

In the spirit of Irish toasts, here’s to streaming BBC iPlayer in Ireland without any interruptions!

There’s no need to be locked out of your BBC iPlayer account just because you’re keen on doing a little jig on the Emerald Isle. CyberGhost VPN has plenty of high-speed servers in the UK that you can connect to for unlimited streaming.

Our streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer is tested regularly to ensure you can always access the platform. Our fast network includes 10-Gbps servers in busy locations, so you never have to worry about other streaming traffic slowing your connection.

CyberGhost VPN has apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and major streaming devices. We also provide protection for up to 7 devices simultaneously with a single subscription, so you can safely stream BBC iPlayer on all of your devices while you’re in Ireland.

Can I use a VPN to watch BBC iPlayer from outside the UK?

Some BBC iPlayer viewers connect to a VPN server in the UK to watch from another country. While we don’t snoop on our users’ online activity, this is against our terms of service and is not acceptable.

Rest assured that CyberGhost VPN never logs your browsing data and your activity is always private, but you should always comply with all relevant terms and applicable law, including copyright.

FAQ

How can I watch BBC iPlayer for free in Ireland?

BBC iPlayer is only available within the UK, but if you’re traveling to Ireland, there’s a simple workaround. All you need to do is get CyberGhost VPN, connect to a server in the UK, sign up for BBC iPlayer, and start streaming. You can try it risk-free with our 45-day money-back guarantee.

How can I watch BBC iPlayer outside the UK for free?

Your annual UK TV Licence payment entitles you to watch as many hours of BBC programming on BBC iPlayer as you like. 
When you’re outside of the UK, you can use CyberGhost VPN to relocate your IP address to make it look like you’re home and allow you to stream content without needing to pay anything more. 

What is the best VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in Ireland?

CyberGhost is the best VPN to watch BBC iPlayer in Ireland. You can connect to one of our VPN servers in the UK to get a new virtual location and reclaim access to your BBC iPlayer account while you’re on the Emerald Isle.

Can BBC iPlayer detect a VPN?

The BBC tracks IP addresses to detect when streamers are using VPNs and blocks those IP addresses. But watching without a VPN can leave you exposed to snoops and cybercriminals.
To stay safe online and avoid detection, you can use CyberGhost’s streaming-optimized server for BBC iPlayer. We regularly test it to make sure that you can access BBC iPlayer securely and without any interruptions.

What app can I use to watch BBC in Ireland?

You’ll need two apps to watch the BBC in Ireland: CyberGhost VPN and BBC iPlayer. CyberGhost VPN masks your IP address so you can regain access to your iPlayer account and watch BBC shows when you’re traveling abroad.

Can I stream BBC iPlayer on my mobile device?

Of course you can! BBC iPlayer has mobile apps for Android and iOS, so you can stream BBC iPlayer on your mobile phone or tablet.
You’ll likely use these devices when you’re on the go and connecting to unfamiliar Wi-Fi networks. This is where a VPN comes in handy. It encrypts your traffic and keeps your online activity private. CyberGhost VPN lets you protect up to 7 devices with a single subscription and is compatible with both iOS and Android, making it easy to stream BBC iPlayer safely anywhere.

Will CyberGhost VPN slow down my streaming speeds?

You need a connection speed of about 5-Mbps to stream in HD and you can easily get that with CyberGhost. Our ultra-fast VPN is designed to be lightweight, so it won’t affect your connection speed too much. This means that you can stream as much as you like without encountering the dreaded buffering wheel.

What should I do if the VPN isn’t connecting with BBC iPlayer?

Think your VPN isn’t working? Try these solves:
1. Reconnect to a different server in the UK. The streaming service may have blocked the server you’re on.
2. Disconnect from the VPN, clear your browser history, and reconnect to a UK server.
3. If neither of those options worked, you should switch to CyberGhost.
If you already use CyberGhost VPN and none of the above works, reach out to our professional 24/7 Customer Support team via email or live chat. They’ll know what to do.

How do I change my location on BBC iPlayer?

It’s easy to change your location on BBC iPlayer. 

    • Website: Scroll all the way to the bottom of the home page. You’ll find the location setting in the bottom left-hand corner.
    • Mobile app: Tap the cog icon on the top right-hand corner of the home page. Your location setting can be changed under the Location category.
    • Smart TV: Open the menu, select Settings and then Change Location.

You can also use CyberGhost VPN to change your virtual location. This way, when you connect to one of our UK servers and log in to BBC iPlayer, the platform will detect and change your location automatically.

Can you watch BBC iPlayer without a VPN?

Yes, you can watch BBC iPlayer without a VPN while you’re in the UK. But you won’t be able to access the platform if you’re traveling abroad. Connecting to a Cyberghost VPN UK server makes it look like you’re in the UK, so you can still access your favorite BBC shows.  

How do I bypass BBC iPlayer location?

The best way to bypass the BBC iPlayer location is to use CyberGhost VPN. Connecting to one of our UK servers will give you a new virtual location within the UK, so you can binge watch all of your favorite shows without any interruptions.

Is it legal to watch BBC iPlayer abroad?

BBC iPlayer is funded by the UK TV Licence and is intended to be used by UK residents. If you’re a UK resident and you’ve paid your TV Licence, there shouldn’t be any harm in watching BBC iPlayer with CyberGhost VPN. Just be sure to read through iPlayer’s terms of service before connecting.

Can I watch BBC iPlayer abroad on holiday?

You can definitely watch BBC iPlayer while you’re abroad on holiday. All you need to do is connect to one of CyberGhost VPN’s UK servers to change your virtual location so that it looks like you’re home. 
Be sure that you’ve paid your UK TV Licence (it’s what allows you to watch BBC content) and you’ve read iPlayer’s terms of use before you start streaming.

Leave a comment

Hi,
I’m staying with my partner who lives in the
R of I I have a UK address.
We are 1/2 mile inside the R of I you have
no instructions on how to get it on smart TV
nor do you mention the cost.

Reply

Hi David, You have two ways to set up a VPN for your Smart TV. You can use our Smart DNS service. Change your DNS and your original location isn’t exposed to the websites you’re trying to reach. That way you can stream any content, but you won’t secure or encrypt your streaming activity. To enjoy unlimited streaming and protection, set up CyberGhost VPN on your router. To your second question, yes, CyberGhost is a premium VPN with a subscription fee.

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