Bank charges for current accounts were very common in Ireland before 2005. Then then many banks dropped most of their account charges. Ulster Bank is the only bank in Ireland offering completely free current accounts.

Bank of Ireland , AIB and PTSB all have certain conditions and criteria you have to meet in order to get free banking.
See more details of Current Bank Account Charges in Ireland

Even if the banks don't charge you for day to day transactions - Banking is still not completely free in Ireland. Everyone has to pay the 50 cent government tax on each cheque you write and a 30 euro a year stamp duty on credit cards and 5 euro a year on debit cards.

Debit Cards - in Ireland there have been Laser Debit cards in use for several years . The Laser card is not accepted in many places outside Ireland or online and is being gradually phased out as the banks start using Visa Debit cards instead.
Halifax were the first to offer Visa Debit cards in Ireland - followed by Ulster Bank in 2009 and PTSB in 2010 . See more here about Visa Debit cards
Bank of Ireland are bringing them in in 2011 and AIB are doing so in 2012

Opening a Bank Account: If you move to Ireland from overseas you will not get too far without an Irish bank account. Unless your employer pays you by cash- you will need a bank account within a month or two.
Most banks will require proof of your address in Ireland - normally a utility bill. This could take upto 2 months to get - so be prepared for a delay. They will also require your passport and details of any previous bank accounts you have had.

See some information here if you are worried about the collapse of the Euro and want to move your money into Sterling
Opening a Sterling account in Ireland

Internet banking is common in Ireland - with AIB , Ulster Bank , Permanent TSB and Bank of Ireland all providing internet banking facilities. Even if you are going to use online banking - try and open an account with a bank that has a local branch. As good as internet banking is - there may be a need to make visits to the bank now and then to withdraw or deposit cash.

Many banks in smaller towns still close for lunch and don't open until 10 am some days.
Ulster Bank recently brought in extended opening hours and Saturday opening in a bid to attract more customers from the closed down Halifax.