Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland

Ireland telephone numbers
Location of Ireland (dark green)
Location
Country Ireland
Continent Europe
Regulator ComReg
Type Open
NSN length 7-9
Typical format (0xx) xxx xxxx
Access codes
Country calling code +353
International call prefix 00
Trunk prefix 0
List of Ireland dialing codes

Numbers on the Irish Telephone Numbering Plan are regulated and assigned to operators by ComReg.

Overview and history

Telephone numbers in Ireland are part of an open numbering plan that allows variations in number length. The Irish format is similar to systems used in many parts of Europe, notably the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. Mobile and non-geographic numbers, however, are fixed length and do not support local dialling.

Ireland uses the trunk prefix 0 to access numbers outside your local area. This is followed by an area code, referred to as an NDC (National Dialling Code.) The first digit of the NDC indicates the geographical area or type of service (e.g. mobile).

Calls made from mobile phones and some VoIP systems, always require the full area code and phone number. In common with most European countries, the trunk prefix 0 must be omitted when calling Irish numbers from abroad.

General structure of Irish numbering

Irish area codes vary in length, between one and three digits (excluding the leading 0), and subscribers' numbers are between five and seven digits. A migration to a standard format, (0xx) xxx xxxx, is in progress; however, to avoid disruption, this process is only being carried out as needed where existing area codes and local numbering systems have reached full capacity. There is currently no plan to move to a closed numbering system.

Overview

Geographically assigned

Irish geographical numbering is structured on a regional basis and follows a logical hierarchy. Two-digit telephone directory areas are divided into multiple area codes called NDCs (National Dialling Codes).

These directory areas correspond approximately to the following geographical regions: 01 - Greater Dublin, 02 - South (Cork), 04 (North East), 05 (South East) 06 (Midwest/Southwest), 07 (Northwest), 09 (West). The midlands area is covered by several regional codes.

Except for the 01 area, each area is further subdivided into smaller areas (NDCs). Usually, the main city or town in the area is 0X1. (Cork 021, Limerick 061, Galway 091 etc.)

Regional overview

Directory AreaNational Dialling Codes (NDCs)Region and cities / towns
0101 - single NDC for entire regionDublin area: extends to certain parts of Wicklow, Meath and Kildare.
02021 to 029Cork area: 021 Cork City, Kinsale and Cobh and most of County Cork including: 022 Mallow, 023 Bandon, 024 Youghal, 025 Fermoy, 026 Macroom, 027 Bantry, 028 Skibbereen, 029 Kanturk
040402, 0404, 041 to 047 and 049Northeast, Midlands and parts of Wicklow. Towns: 0402 Arklow, 0404 Wicklow 042 Dundalk, 043 Longford, 044 Mullingar, 045 Naas, 046 Navan, 047 Monaghan, 049 Cavan.
050504, 0505, 051 to 059Midlands and southeast. Towns: 0504 Thurles, 0505 Roscrea, 051 Waterford City, 052 Clonmel, 053 Wexford, 057 Portlaoise, 058 Dungarvan, 059 Carlow
06061 to 069Southwest and midwest area Towns: 061 Limerick City, 062 Cashel, 063 Rathluric, 064 Killarney, 065 Ennis, 066 Tralee and Dingle, 067 Nenagh, 068 Listowel, 069 Newcastlewest
07071 and 074Northwest area 071 Sligo, Manorhamilton, Carrick-on-Shannon, Bundoran 074 Letterkenny, Donegal, Ballybofey
09090 to 099Western area Towns: 090 Athlone, 091 Galway City, 093 Tuam, 094 Castlebar, 095 Clifden, 096 Ballina, 097 Belmullet, 098 Westport and 099 Inishere, Inishman & Kilronan


ComReg maintains a map of area codes here.

Mobile services

Mobile phone numbers start with the 08x prefix and is part of a closed numbering plan. This means that a mobile phone number must have 10 digits. Calls to landlines, and the like, require the area code on mobile phone.

New numbers are assigned on prefixes and ranges managed by a specific operator, however, as full Mobile number portability has been in operation since 2003, it is no longer possible to reliably identify which network a particular number is on. For example, a newly assigned 3 Ireland number would begin with 083, however it may have been ported to another operator.

Mobile Network Operators MNOs

NDC Network Notes
083 &
086		 Three IrelandThe 086 prefix previously belonged to O2 Ireland.
085 eir mobilepreviously known as Meteor and eMobile
087 Vodafone Irelandformerly Eircell

Mobile Virtual Network Operators MVNOs

NDC Network Notes
083 BlueFaceHosted on 3 Ireland
087 PostfoneHosted on Vodafone Ireland
089 Tesco MobileHosted on 3 Ireland. Numbers begin with 2 and 4
089 48Hosted on 3 Ireland. Numbers begin with 2 and 4
089 Virgin Mobile IrelandHosted on 3 Ireland. Numbers begin with 60 and 61 [1]
089 LycamobileHosted on 3 Ireland. Numbers begin with 9

Defunct prefixes

NDC Network Notes / Ref
088 EircellAnalogue TACS network active from 1985 to 2001. This code is reserved for future mobile use with modern services.

Direct to voicemail number

Mobile phone numbers in Ireland have their own voicemail number. To access this, the number 5 should be put after the prefix. For example, the mobile number 08X 123 4567, its voicemail number would be 08X 5 123 4567.

On some networks, when the direct to voicemail number is called, the voicemail greeting is played (e.g. Vodafone, Meteor, etc.), while others request a phone number, then the voicemail greeting is played for that number (e.g. Three Ireland). Users can press the hash key (#) to gain access to the voicemail box.

Calls to Northern Ireland

Although Northern Ireland is part of the UK (+44) numbering plan, a special arrangement exists for calling Northern Ireland landlines from the Republic of Ireland. Calls to Northern Ireland can be dialled using the 048 prefix or by dialling the number in the full international format. Most Irish operators treat calls to Northern Ireland at national or even local rates. Similar charging arrangements apply when calling the Republic of Ireland from Northern Ireland.

For example, to reach Belfast landline 90xx xxxx subscribers can dial either:

048 90xx xxxx

or

00 44 28 90xx xxxx

Northern Irish mobile phones use the same mobile numbering and networks as other parts of the UK — calls must be dialled using the 00 44 7xxx xxx xxx format.

International calls

In common with all EU countries, the international access code is 00. Call should be dialled as follows:

00 Country Code Area code (if any) - local number

Mobile phones may also use + instead of the 00 international access code.

Reserved numbers

  • 03 – reserved for future changes in the numbering plan.
  • 07 — all except 0707, 0700, 071, 074 and 076 are reserved without assigned purpose.
  • 0707 — Reserved for personal numbering.
  • 0800 — Reserved

Special numbers

  • 00 — International access.
  • 020 91x xxxx — Drama use (although the rest of the 020 area code is free).
  • 0700 — Personal Numbering.
  • 076 — Voice over IP services.
  • 080 — Mailbox for landline users (Formerly NI access code).

Operator services

General operator assistance no longer exists in Ireland. It used to be available by dialling 10 from within Ireland.

  • 118xx — Directory Enquiries (Multiple commercial providers offer a variety of services in this number range)

Emergency services

The emergency number for Ireland is 112. This is harmonised across the EU. 999, the well-known historic emergency number, is also used alongside 112. Either number can be dialed.

Services provided

  • Ambulance
  • Garda Síochána (Police)
  • Fire and Rescue
  • Marine and Coastal Emergency Service
  • Cliff and Mountain Rescue

SMS Emergency Service

Deaf or hard of hearing customers can send an SMS message to 112.

Further information can be found at 112.ie.

Premium Rate Numbers

Premium Rate Voice

Irish premium rate telephone numbers start with 15 and are read in two digit blocks e.g. 1550 is "fifteen fifty". The rates given below are from ComReg and are indicative only. Please check with your specific telephone service provider for exact rates.

NDC Max price (ComReg) Notes
1512 €0.50 per callPremium Rate Untimed
1513 €0.70 per callPremium Rate Untimed
1514 €0.90 per callPremium Rate Untimed
1515 €1.20 per callPremium Rate Untimed
1516 €1.80 per callPremium Rate Untimed
1517 €2.50 per callPremium Rate Untimed
1518 €3.50 per callPremium Rate Untimed
1520 €0.30 per minutePremium Rate Timed
1530 €0.50 per minutePremium Rate Timed
1540 €0.70 per minutePremium Rate Timed
1550 €1.20 per minutePremium Rate Timed
1560 €1.80 per minutePremium Rate Timed
1570 €2.50 per minutePremium Rate Timed
1580 €2.40 per minutePremium Rate Timed
1590 €3.50 per minutePremium Rate Timed
1598 €3.50 per minPremium Rate Adult non-live
1599 €3.50 per minPremium Rate Adult live

Premium Rate SMS

NDC Max price (ComReg) Notes
51XXX €0.16 per SMSPremium Rate SMS
53XXX €0.30 per SMSPremium Rate SMS
58XXX variable price - see advertisingPremium Rate SMS
59XXX variable price - see adveristingPremium Rate SMS

A special 50XXX code is used for free-of-charge SMS.

Premium rate services in Ireland are regulated by ComReg.[2]

Special Rate Non-geographic numbers

NDC Indicative Pricing Notes
1800 FreeNational freephone / toll free
00 800 FreeInternational freephone / toll free
1850 Variesper call charge untimed
1890
0818		 Varies Timedvariable
076 VariesVoIP only

Internet access numbers

  • 1891 — Reduced cost Internet Access (possibly timed)
  • 1892 — Local rate Internet Access (timed)
  • 1893 — Variable Cost Internet Access (timed)

Carrier selection (per call)

  • 13 xxx — Carrier selection (Third party long distance, international and internet services). These codes override the default carrier.

Carrier preselect is normally used where the exchange automatically uses the customer's preferred provider(s).

Network engineering codes

  • 199 xxx... — Network operator specific engineering codes (undefined length) —

Line information codes

These services give you more information about your phone line (applicable only to lines provided using the OpenEir access network.)

Check phone number associated with line / automatic number announcement circuit (ANAC)

  • 199 000 - Reads out your telephone number.

Check preset carrier

Check which carrier you are using for each category of call:

  • 19 800 - International calls
  • 19 822 - Local calls
  • 19 801 - Calls to other parts of the Republic of Ireland, Irish mobile numbers and to landlines in Northern Ireland.

Voicemail

  • 171 - Used to access voicemail on all networks: fixed line (POTS and Cable), all mobile operators and many VoIP providers.

Call management services / supplementary service codes

Special short codes are used to control various supplementary services offered by digital local exchanges. These services were first introduced as 'PhonePlus' in 1981 on the first generation of Alcatel E10 and Ericsson AXE digital exchanges used in Ireland and were rolled out nationally throughout the 1980s. These services are available on all Irish PSTN lines, regardless of operator. There is a more expansive range of services available, but these are the most commonly used. Different codes apply on cable telephony lines, such as those provided by Virgin Media Ireland and on VoIP providers.

PSTN Lines and some ISDN services

Caller ID Services

  • 141 — Caller ID default override – Withhold Caller ID on this call.
  • 142 — Caller ID default override – Present Caller ID on this call.
  • 1471 — Check last missed call. The system will verbally announce details of the last missed call.
  • #93# — Delete missed call information from the network's memory.

Call waiting

  • *43# - Setup
  • *#43# - Check Status
  • #43# - Cancel
Answering call waiting
  • R0 - Reject call (or send to voicemail) and temporarily suspend call waiting service for this call.
  • R1 - Answer waiting call and disconnect current call.
  • R2 - Answer waiting call and place current call on hold / or swap between calls.
  • R3 - Merge both calls into a 3-way call.

Conference calling / 3-way calling

  • While on a phone call press the R key on your phone and dial the number you wish to add to the conversation.
  • Dial R3 to begin conference / 3-way call.
  • R2 allows you to separate the calls and swap between them.

Call hold / transfer to another extension

  • R = Places call on hold. Hang up and telephone will ring until call on hold is picked up again.

Call forwarding (Unconditional)

  • *21* (phone number)# — Forward all calls to (phone number)
  • *#21# — Check Status of Call Forwarding
  • #21# — Deactivate Call Forwarding

When this service is active, the dial tone changes to a two-frequency 'siren' tone.

Alarm / reminder call

  • *55* [time in 4-digit 24h format] # Example: 8:30am dial *55* 0830 # - Midnight is 0000 Midday is 1200.
  • *#55# - check status
  • #55# - cancel

Most exchanges confirm setup with a verbal announcement, however some exchanges may use a ringing tone to indicate successful service setup and a busy tone to indicate an error / invalid code.

Services on Virgin Media Ireland cable network

Caller ID services

  • 141 — Caller ID default override – Withhold Caller ID on this call.
  • 142 — Caller ID default override – Present Caller ID on this call.

Call forwarding

Call forwarding (unconditional)
  • *70 (wait for prompt and enter phone number) — Forward all calls to (phone number)
  • #70 — Deactivate Call Forwarding
Forwarding to voicemail
  • *75 — Forward calls to voicemail when busy.
  • #75 — Deactivate Forward calls to voicemail when busy.
  • *77 — Forward calls to voicemail if unanswered.
  • #77 — Deactivate Forward calls to voicemail if unanswered

Call waiting

  • *72 — Activate Call Waiting
  • #72 — Deactivate Call Waiting
Answering call waiting
  • R1 - Answer waiting call and disconnect current call.
  • R2 - Answer waiting call and place current call on hold / or swap between calls.

Anonymous call rejection

  • *90 — Activate Anonymous Call Rejection
  • #90 — Deactivate Anonymous Call Rejection

Redial last number called

  • ##

You will either hear a tone or a voice message to confirm services have been set up or deactivated.

Mobiles

  • GSM Supplementary Service Codes — all of Ireland's mobile providers use the standard GSM codes to control special services such as call forwarding, barring, call waiting etc.

Number changes

Several major number changes have occurred since 2000.

2002–2003

The majority of Area codes in County Donegal were combined into a single area code (074) with 7-digit local numbering. While other parts of South Donegal were combined into the (071) area code (e.g. Bundoran, Rossnowlagh) [3] The area codes abolished were 073, 075 and 077. All local numbers became 7-digit.

Area codes in Sligo and North Leitrim were merged into the single area code 071 with 7-digit local numbering. The area codes abolished were 072, 078 and 079. All local numbers became 7-digit.

Area codes in parts of Galway and Mayo were merged into a single 094 area including Castlebar, Swinford, Claremorris, Ballaghadereen, Castlerae and Ballinrobe The area codes abolished were 0907 and 092. All local numbers became 7-digit.

A new area code 090 replaced four codes in the West Midlands including Athlone, Banagher North, Ballinasloe, Roscommon and Portumna. The area codes abolished were 0902, 0903, 0905 and 0509 All local numbers became 7-digit.

Area codes in the East Midlands were merged into the single 046 area code including Navan, Nobber, Kells, Trim, Enfield and Edenderry. The 0405 area code was abolished. All local numbers became 7-digit.

In 2006–2007

Local numbering changed from 5-digit to 7-digit local in the following area (without area code change). 044 Mullingar numbers were prefixed by 93 and Tyrrellspass numbers were prefixed by 92 and Costlepollard numbers were prefixed by 96.

Numbers in Portlaoise, Birr and Tullamore were merged into a new 057 area code. The area codes abolished were 0502, 0506 and 0509'. All local numbers became 7-digit.

Area codes in the southeast were merged into the single 053 area code including Wexford, Enniscorthy and Gorey. The area codes abolished were 054, 055. All local numbers became 7-digit.

In 2009–2010

Local numbering changed from 5-digit to 7-digit local in the following areas (without area code change). 023 Bandon numbers beginning with 2,3,4,5,7 and 8 were prefixed by 88 while numbers beginning with 6 were prefixed by 66. '043 Longford numbers were prefixed by 33 and Granard numbers were prefixed by 66. 052 Clonmel numbers were prefixed by 61, Cahir numbers were prefixed by 74 and Killenaule numbers were prefixed by 91. 064 Killarney numbers were prefixed by 66 and Rathmore numbers were prefixed by 77.

Older changes

  • In the late 1980's, the 0461 area code for Nobber was removed and merged with the 046 code. Numbers were changed from (0461) xxxx to (046) 5xxxx.
  • Dublin 01 numbers changed from 6 to 7 digits in five stages between 1990 and 1994:
    • On April 2nd 1990, numbers beginning 23, 24, 26, 27, 28, 70 and 79 were prefixed with 6.
    • On April 8th 1991, numbers beginning with 8 and 69 were prefixed with 2.
    • On April 4th 1992, numbers beginning with 4 and the remaining 6-digit numbers beginning with 2 were prefixed with 8. Numbers beginning 95 and 98 were prefixed with 2.
    • On April 24th 1993, numbers beginning 75, 780, 781, 782, 783 and 784 were prefixed with 4; numbers beginning 60, 61, 68, 71, 76, 77, 785, 789 were prefixed with 6; and numbers beginning 72, 73, 74, 786, 787, 788 were prefixed with 8.
    • On April 16th 1994, numbers beginning 3 were prefixed with an 8; numbers beginning 5 and 9 were prefixed with 4.
  • Mobile numbering became 7-digit in the mid-1990s
  • Cork 021 was changed from 6 to 7-digit numbers in two stages occurring between 1998-2000.
    • From September 1998, numbers beginning with 40 were prefixed with 2 and numbers beginning with 43 and 33 were prefixed by 7
    • From February 2000, numbers beginning with 2,3,5,6,7,8 or 9 were prefixed with 4.
  • The 066 area code including Tralee and Dingle was changed from 5 to 7-digit numbering in 2000.
  • The 080 prefix was previously used for calls to Northern Ireland, but following the UK's renumbering of Northern Ireland in 2000, this changed to 048.

Possible future changes

Dublin numbers are currently seven digits, but may change to eight digits in the future, although breaking the city into separate area codes would match the rest of the national system. A review and public consultation on the future of Ireland's numbering plan was undertaken.[4]

Historical numbering (no longer in use)

Defunct access codes

  • 16 — Former international access code[5]
  • 03 — Formerly used for calls to Britain – Format was: 03 + UK STD code + Local number.[6]
  • 08 — Formerly used for Northern Ireland landlines
  • 084 — Formerly used for Belfast landlines[7]

Defunct operator services

  • 10 — National Operator Assistance (withdrawn in 2007)
  • 114 — International Operator Assistance (withdrawn in 2007)
  • 910 — Operator assisted calls to some areas without direct dialling (withdrawn in the early 1980s)
  • 1190 - Telecom Éireann National Directory Assistance (withdrawn early 2000s and replaced with 11811. Originally 190.
  • 1197 - Telecom Éireann UK Directory Assistance (withdrawn early 2000s and replaced with 11818. Originally 197.
  • 1198 - Telecom Éireann International Directory Assistance (withdrawn early 2000s and replaced with 11818. Originally 198.
  • 191 - Telecom Éireann Repair Services (withdrawn in the late 1990s)
  • 196 - Telemessage Services - Callers could ask an operator to send a postcard with a printed message. (withdrawn in the late 1990s)

A range of numbers from 192, 193 and 194 were once used for various Telecom Éireann customer service and account service lines.

Defunct Information Services

  • 1191 - Speaking Clock - (withdrawn on Mon, 27 August 2018)

Historical codes to access Northern Ireland

  • Before 2000: 08 followed by Northern Irish area code and phone number

Example Belfast (01232) xxx xxx was reached by dialling: 08 01232 xxx xxx

Previously Belfast could be reached by dialling 084 in place of the UK area code 0232.[7]

Historical codes to access numbers in Great Britain

Until the early 1990s, the 03 numbering range was originally used for calls to Great Britain,[8] including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, with the Irish prefix 030 replacing the UK trunk code 0.[6] Calls to British cities using the Director telephone system were also possible using shorter codes:

When London was split into two area codes, 071 and 081 in 1990, 031 was replaced with the codes 03071[11] and 03081[12] respectively.

Use of the 03 range for this purpose was discontinued in 1993, when the international access code changed from 16 to 00, with calls to Great Britain (but not Northern Ireland) requiring the country code 44 and the area code in full.[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.comreg.ie/numbering/numbering_search.599.numbering.html
  2. ↑ https://www.comreg.ie/premium-rate/about-premium-rate-services/what-are-premium-rate-services/
  3. ↑ http://www.comreg.ie/licensing_and_services/area_code_maps.552.1040.html
  4. ↑ The Evolution of Geographic Telephone Numbering in Ireland, ComReg, 19th December 2013
  5. ↑ Birnbaum's Ireland, 1991, Stephen Birnbaum, Houghton Mifflin, 1990, page 151
  6. 1 2 Festivals in Great Britain, Northern Ireland & Eire: A List with Forecast Dates and Policies, Richard Gregson-Williams, John Offord Publications, 1986, page 108
  7. 1 2 Ireland: A Directory, Jim O'Donnell, Institute of Public Administration, 1984, page 247
  8. ↑ Multinational Executive Travel Companion, Guides to Multinational Business, 1992, page 244
  9. ↑ Ireland: A Directory, Jim O'Donnell, Institute of Public Administration, 1985, page 18
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Ireland, Administration Yearbook and Diary, Institute of Public Administration, 1980, page 333
  11. ↑ State Directory, Stationery Office, 1992, page 76
  12. ↑ Benn's Media Directory, Benn, 1992, page 292
  13. ↑ Ireland, Institute of Public Administration, 1994, page 14

Sources

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