Cheapest I've seen the 8gb version is in Halfords - €199 (everywhere else sells them for €219). Larger Tesco stores also sell them, so you could earn a couple of Euro in Clubcard points if you buy it there
If you or anyone you know happens to be flying through a London airport, Dixons Travel (only in the airports) have the 8GB for £145 and the 16GB for €185
There are two Dixons in Heathrow Terminal One.
Recently I was looking at cameras and the first Dixons didn't have what I wanted, but they didn't send me to their other branch, I came across it accidentally.
I would think that some people in Ireland might have friends or family in the UK that it could be delivered to and then posted on for a few quid. I do anyway. There was also a company called Dealhunter that were providing Irish consumers with the use of a UK delivery address so they could take advantage of lower prices in the UK and then deliver it on to the consumers.
So to answer your question, it might be of use to SOME people living in Ireland. Anyway, only trying to help...