Digital competence is a priority of education policy internationally (European Commission, 2020; UNESCO, 2023), and in the Republic of Ireland. Primary-level pre-service teachers (PSTs) are expected to be competent in designing, and facilitating learning activities integrating digital technology, which develop the digital competence of future learners (The Teaching Council, 2020; NCCA, 2023). However, it is unclear what level of digital competence PSTs in the Republic of Ireland possess, and whether they intend to use technology in their professional practice. This explanatory sequential mixed methods study examined the digital competence and intentions of PSTs. Quantitative data pertaining to intentions and digital competence were initially collected from a sample of PSTs (n = 300) using established scales: the Intention to use Technology enabled learning scale, and the DigCompEdu self-assessment tool. These were subject to descriptive and inferential statistical analyses, the results of which were used to inform the schedule for a series of follow-up interviews with a sub-sample of the participants (n = 9). Qualitative data arising from these interviews were analysed using a Critical Realist Approach to Thematic Analysis. The majority of PSTs (43%) were classified at the ‘Explorer (A2)’ level of overall digital competence. Nonetheless PSTs were found to hold high intentions to use digital technology in their professional practice. Qualitative analysis indicates PST intention varied depending on their attitudes and beliefs relating to technology use, with these influenced by their digital competence. Factors including modelling of pedagogical use of technology, opportunities to experiment with technology use, and interactions with influential actors, were found to underlie PST intention and digital competence. This study recommends the development of a shared vision for the pedagogical use of digital technology across programmes of initial teacher education. The findings of this study are relevant to teacher educators and policy-makers nationally and internationally.