Telephone numbers in the Republic of Ireland

Telephone numbers in Ireland

Telephone Dialling Codes in Ireland

Country| Ireland
Continent| Europe
Regulator| ComReg
Numbering plan type| Open
NSN  length| 7–9
Format| various, see text
Country code| +353
International access| 00
Long-distance| 0
List of Ireland area codes

Numbers on the Irish telephone numbering plan are regulated and assigned to operators by ComReg.

## Overview

[edit]

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, Sweden, Germany, Belgium and France, where geographical numbers are organised using a logic of large regional prefixes, which are then further subdivided into smaller regions. It differs from UK numbering, which originated as alphanumeric codes based on town names.

Irish Mobile and non–geographic numbers are fixed length and do not support local dialling.

The trunk prefix `0` is used to access numbers outside the local area and for all mobile calls. This is followed by an area code, referred to as a National Dialling Code (NDC), the first digit of which 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

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Irish area codes vary in length, between one and three digits (excluding the leading 0), and subscribers' numbers are between five and seven digits.

As optional local dialling is facilitated, Irish geographic numbers cannot begin with 0 (trunk prefix), 1 (special number prefix) or 999 (emergency services). However, mobile numbers use the full range of digits, as local dialling is not supported on mobile networks, and the area code must always be dialled.

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.

### Number formats

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Irish geographic numbers vary in length from area to area, but follow standard formats within each area code.

The area code, or prefix, is normally separated by a space, or less commonly, may be displayed in parentheses (brackets). Numbers are usually grouped into easy to read clusters, separated by spaces or hyphens for ease of use.

The use of spaces is recommended by ComReg for ease of compatibility with online services, such as linking to a phone number in a mobile browser, copying and pasting into mobile diallers etc

Other characters, such as `/` or `.` are not used as separators.

Area codes / prefixes are always separated from the subscriber number. Merging or reformatting these tends to cause confusion or make numbers look unfamiliar.

While formats vary, numbers are usually printed (e.g. in telephone directories) as follows:

Geographic:

* `01 XXX XXXX` – Dublin area
* `0XX XXX XXXX` – All other 7-digit areas
* `0XX XXX XXX` – 6-digit areas
* `0XX XXXXX` – 5-digit areas
* `0X0X XXXXX` – 5-digit areas

Non-geographic

* `1800 XXX XXX` – Freephone/Toll Free
* `0818 XXX XXX` – Standard Rate

Mobile

* `08X XXX XXXX`

Mobile M2M (Machine to Machine)

* `088 XXXXX XXXXX`

Alphanumeric dialling, using letters as mnemonics for advertising etc is supported, but is rarely used.

#### Geographical numbering

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Main article: List of Irish dialling codes

Irish geographical numbering is structured on a regional basis and follows a logical hierarchy.

These directory areas correspond approximately to the following geographical regions:

* `01` – Greater Dublin Area
* `02` – Cork
* `04` – Northeast
* `05` – Southeast
* `06` – Midwest and Southwest
* `07` – Northwest
* `09` – West

The Midlands 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` e.g. `021` (Cork), `061` (Limerick), `091` (Galway).

#### Regional overview

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Directory area | National Dialling Codes (NDCs) | Region and cities / towns

|
|

`01` | `01` – single NDC for entire region | Dublin area: extends to certain parts of Wicklow, Meath and Kildare.
`02` | `021` to `029` | Cork area:

* `021`: Cork
* `022`: Mallow
* `023`: Bandon
* `024`: Youghal
* `025`: Fermoy
* `026`: Macroom
* `027`: Bantry
* `028`: Skibbereen
* `029`: Kanturk

`04` | `0402`, `0404`, `041` to `047` and `049` | Northeast and Midlands:

* `0402`: Arklow
* `0404`: Wicklow
* `041`: Drogheda
* `042`: Dundalk and Carrickmacross
* `043`: Longford
* `044`: Mullingar
* `045`: Newbridge and Naas
* `046`: Navan and Edenderry
* `047`: Monaghan
* `049`: Cavan and Oldcastle

`05` | `0504`, `0505`, `051` to `053`, `056` to `059` | Midlands and Southeast:

* `0504`: Thurles
* `0505`: Roscrea
* `051`: Waterford, New Ross and Carrick–on–Suir
* `052`: Clonmel
* `053`: Wexford
* `056`: Kilkenny
* `057`: Portlaoise and Tullamore
* `058`: Dungarvan
* `059`: Carlow, Athy and Baltinglass

`06` | `061` to `069` | Midwest and Southwest:

* `061`: Limerick, Shannon and Scarriff
* `062`: Tipperary
* `063`: Charleville
* `064`: Killarney
* `065`: Ennis
* `066`: Tralee
* `067`: Nenagh
* `068`: Listowel
* `069`: Newcastle West

`07` | `071` and `074` | Northwest

* `071`: Sligo and Carrick–on–Shannon
* `074`: Letterkenny

`09` | `090`, `091`, `093` to `099` | West and Midlands

* `090`: Athlone, Ballinasloe and Roscommon
* `091`: Galway
* `093`: Tuam
* `094`: Castlebar and Castlerea
* `095`: Clifden
* `096`: Ballina
* `097`: Belmullet
* `098`: Westport
* `099`: Kilronan

ComReg maintains a map of area codes here.

### Mobile services

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Mobile phone numbers start with the prefix `08x` and are part of a closed numbering plan, which means that a mobile phone number must have 10 digits. Calls to landlines and other mobiles require the area code on a 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 Three number would begin with `083`, but may have been ported to another operator in the meantime.

### Mobile network operators (MNOs)

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NDC  | Network  | Notes

|
|

`083` and `086` | Three Ireland | `086` previously belonged to O2, formerly Digifone, formerly Esat.
`085` | eir mobile | previously known as Meteor and eMobile
`087` | Vodafone Ireland | formerly Eircell

### Mobile virtual network operators (MVNOs)

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NDC  | Network  | Notes

|
|

`083` | BlueFace | Hosted on Three
`085` | GoMo | Hosted on eir mobile
`087` | An Post Mobile | Hosted on Vodafone
Clear Mobile | Hosted on Vodafone
`089` | 48 | Hosted on Three. Numbers begin with `2` and `4`
Tesco Mobile
Lycamobile | Hosted on Three. Numbers begin with `9`
Sky Mobile | Hosted on Vodafone
Virgin Mobile | Hosted on Three. Numbers begin with `60` and `61`

#### M2M (Machine to Machine) Communication

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NDC  | Network  | Notes

|
|

`088` | All networks | Reserved for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, using the format `088 xxxxx xxxxx`. This prefix was originally used for the Eircell TACS network active from 1985 to 2001.

### Direct to voicemail number

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Mobile phone numbers also have their own voicemail number. To access this, the number `5` should be put after the prefix. For example, the mobile number `08x xxx xxxx` has the voicemail number `08x 5 xxx xxxx`.

On some networks, when the direct to voicemail number is called, the voicemail greeting for that network is played (e.g. Vodafone, eir Mobile), while others request a phone number followed by the voicemail greeting for that number (e.g. Three). Users can press the hash key (`#`) to gain access to the voicemail box.

## Calls to Northern Ireland

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Although Northern Ireland is part of the UK numbering plan, a special arrangement exists for calling Northern Irish 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 Ireland 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

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In common with all EU countries, the international access code is `00`.

Numbers should be dialled as follows: `00 – country code – area code – local number`.

All mobile phones and some VoIP services also support the international E.164 number format, so a `+` may be optionally used instead of `00`.

## Reserved numbers

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* `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

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* `00` – international access
* `020 91x xxxx` – drama use (although the rest of `020` is free)
* `0700` – personal numbering
* `076` – VoIP services – (being withdrawn.)
* `080` – mailbox for landline users (formerly access code for Northern Ireland)
* `089 011 0xxx`[1] – drama use

### Speed dial short numbers to contact carriers

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* `1901` – eir
* `1902` – Digiweb
* `1903` – Tesco Mobile
* `1904` – BT Ireland
* `1907` – Vodafone Ireland
* `1908` – Virgin Mobile Ireland
* `1910` – Magnet Networks
* `1913` – Three Ireland
* `1977` – NUACOM Ireland
* `1923` – Lycamobile Ireland

## Operator services

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General operator assistance no longer exists in Ireland.

* `118xx` – Directory enquiries (multiple commercial providers offer a variety of services in this number range)

## Emergency services

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The emergency number for Ireland is `999`. However, the `112` code also accesses the emergency operator. This code is harmonised across the EU. Either can be dialled.

### Services provided

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* Ambulance
* Garda Síochána
* Fire and rescue
* Irish Coast Guard
* Cliff and mountain rescue

### SMS emergency service

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`112` can also be contacted by SMS. While the service is open to all users, it is primarily aimed at the deaf community.

Pre-registration used to be required. Further information can be found at Sending a text to 112.

## Premium rate numbers

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### Premium rate voice

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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. One must check with their specific telephone service provider for exact rates.

NDC  | Maximum price (ComReg)  | Notes

|
|

`1512` | €0.50 per call | Premium rate untimed
`1513` | €0.70 per call
`1514` | €0.90 per call
`1515` | €1.20 per call
`1516` | €1.80 per call
`1517` | €2.50 per call
`1518` | €3.50 per call
`1520` | €0.30 per minute | Premium rate timed
`1530` | €0.50 per minute
`1540` | €0.70 per minute
`1550` | €1.20 per minute
`1560` | €1.80 per minute
`1570` | €2.50 per minute
`1580` | €2.40 per minute
`1590` | €3.50 per minute
`1598` | Premium rate adult non–live
`1599` | Premium rate adult live

### Premium rate SMS

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NDC  | Maximum price (ComReg)  | Notes

|
|

`51XXX` | Same as local SMS | Local SMS
`53XXX` | €0.30 per SMS
`58XXX` | variable price – see advertising
`59XXX`

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

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

## Non–geographic numbers (Freephone & Standard rate)

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Irish non-geographic numbers consist of two national prefixes and the international freephone service.

* `0818` – Charged as landline call, and are included in bundled minutes. 6-digit numbers in the format 0818 XXX XXX
* `1800` – Freephone / toll free (from all Irish mobile and landlines. 6-digit numbers in the format 1800 xxx xxx
* `00 800` – Freephone / toll free (from all Irish mobile and landlines. 8-digit numbers in the format 00 800 xxxx xxxx

Where high volume 'bursty traffic' is anticipated, such as on-air radio competition lines, the first two digits of the phone number are always `71`. For example: `1800 71x xxx` or `0818 71x xxx`. This allows the telephone network to manage traffic during number analysis, even before the call is routed.

Ireland's non-geographic numbers and pricing structures were simplified and old shared-cost prefixes were withdrawn on 1 January 2022. These changes mean that calls to non-geographic numbers are either freephone, or always included in call bundles, ensuring consumers are not confused by out of bundle, or other unusual charges.

NDC Prefix  | Charging  | Description  | Notes

|
|
|

`1800` | Free | National freephone / toll free | Free on all voice services in Ireland. Not reachable outside Ireland.
`0818` | Timed | Charged as a landline call | Included in call bundles on voice services in Ireland. Called as `+353 818` from outside Ireland, incurring a higher cost than a normal call to landline or mobile.
`00800` | Free | International freephone / toll free | Free on all voice services in Ireland. Can be dialled as `+800` in many countries.

Due to the COVID-19 crisis, several numbers in the `1850` and `1890` ranges have remained in service until they were retired in 2023. This is to avoid disruption to essential health services during a time of high volumes of calls. These remained in service until 30 November 2023, alongside new numbers that have replaced them. Advertising of these numbers will cease. Calls to these numbers will be charged on the same basis as calls to landlines or `0818` and included in call bundles.[3]

Freephone numbers are free to call from mobile handsets; however, the recipient can elect to refuse mobile–originated calls or choose to accept calls only from predefined geographical region(s).

NB: `1800` can only be dialled from within Ireland. Numbers should never be printed or presented in the international format `+353 1800` as these clash with working Dublin landline numbers in the `01` area `+353 1 800 xxxx`. Alternative geographic numbers, or an `0818` number should be used instead, if international access is required.

Following a 2019 review[4] of non–geographic numbers Comreg decided to withdraw and close the `1850`, `1890` and `076` number ranges by 1 January 2022. During the transition period, these ranges were geo–rated (charged as if they are geographical numbers).

From August 2019, various telecoms providers announced price changes which took effect on, or just before, 1 December 2019, including Virgin Media Business, in2tel, Virgin Media, eir, Tesco Mobile, Three, Digiweb, Pure Telecom, 48 months, Sky and NUACOM

From 1 January 2022 callers to the withdrawn prefixes receive recorded announcements.

## Internet access numbers

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* `1891` – reduced cost internet access (possibly timed)
* `1892` – local rate internet access (timed)
* `1893` – variable cost internet access (timed)

## Carrier selection (per call)

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* `13xxx` – 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

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* `199xxx...` – network operator-specific engineering codes (undefined length). These codes are generally not published.

## Line information codes

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

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

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* `199000` – reads out the subscriber's telephone number.

### Check preset carrier

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Check which carrier a subscriber is using for each category of call:

* `19800` – international calls
* `19822` – local calls
* `19801` – calls to other parts of the Republic of Ireland, Irish mobile numbers and landlines in Northern Ireland.

## Voicemail

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* `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

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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

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#### Caller ID services

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* `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 network memory

#### Call waiting

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* `*43#` – setup
* `*#43#` – check status
* `#43#` – cancel

##### Answering call waiting

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* `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 three–way call.

#### Conference/three–way calling

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* While on a phone call a subscriber can press the `R` key on their phone and dial the number they wish to add to the conversation.
* Dial `R3` to begin conference/three–way call.
* `R2` allows a subscriber to separate the calls and swap between them.

#### Call hold / transfer to another extension

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* `R` – places call on hold. Hang up and telephone will ring until call on hold is picked up again.

#### Call forwarding (unconditional)

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* `*21*(phone number)#` – forward all calls to `(phone number)`
* `*#21#` – check status
* `#21#` – deactivate

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

#### Alarm / reminder call

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* `*55*[time in 4–digit 24h format]#` e.g. for 8:30 am dial `*55*0830#`
* `*#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

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(Codes are unique to Virgin Media Ireland and do not follow ETSI guidelines)

#### Caller ID services

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* `141` – caller ID default override – withhold caller ID on this call
* `142` – caller ID default override – present caller ID on this call

#### Call forwarding

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##### Call forwarding (unconditional)

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* `*70` – immediately followed by `(phone number)`
* `#70` – deactivate

##### Forwarding to voicemail

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* `*75` – activate when busy
* `#75` – deactivate when busy
* `*77` – forward if unanswered
* `#77` – deactivate if unanswered

#### Call waiting

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* `*72` – activate
* `#72` – deactivate

##### Answering call waiting

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* `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

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* `*90` – activate
* `#90` – deactivate

#### Redial last number called

[edit]

* `##`

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

### Mobiles

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* 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

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Several major number changes have occurred since 1990. The telephone number changes in Dublin and Cork took several years to complete, as they were busier area codes with few available lead digits. Other number changes took place in just one step, with all numbers being changed simultaneously.

To minimise disruption simultaneous working was enabled, allowing old numbers to remain mapped and active for a run-in period of one year. Caller ID only displayed the new numbers. This was followed by recorded announcements which remained active for at least a year, advising callers of the number change. Eventually this would be replaced by a dialling error message.

### 1990–1994

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Dublin (01) changes to 7-digits.

* All local numbers with the area code `01` changed from 6–digits to 7–digits in five stages between 1990 and 1994:
* On 2 April 1990, numbers beginning with `23`, `24`, `26`, `27`, `28`, `70` and `79` were prefixed with `6`.
* On 8 April 1991, numbers beginning with `8` and `69` were prefixed with `2`.
* On 4 April 1992, numbers beginning with `4` and the remaining 6–digit numbers beginning with `2` were prefixed with `8`. Numbers beginning with `95` and `98` were prefixed with `2`.
* On 24 April 1993, numbers beginning with `75`, `780`, `781`, `782`, `783` and `784` were prefixed with `4`, while numbers beginning with `60`, `61`, `68`, `71`, `76`, `77`, `785`and `789` were prefixed with `6`, and numbers beginning with `72`, `73`, `74`, `786`, `787` and `788` were prefixed with `8`.
* On 16 April 1994, numbers beginning with `3` were prefixed with `8`, while numbers beginning with `5` and `9` were prefixed with `4`.

### 1998–2000

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* All local numbers with the area code `041` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Drogheda minimum numbering area (MNA) were prefixed by `98` and in the Ardee MNA by `68`.
* All local numbers with the area code `042` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Dundalk MNA were prefixed by `93`, in the Carrickmacross MNA by `96` and the Castleblayney MNA by `97`.
* All local numbers with the area code `049` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Cavan MNA were prefixed by `43`, in the Cootehill MNA by `55`, in the Oldcastle MNA by `85` and the Belturbet MNA by `95`.
* All local numbers with the area code `065` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Ennis MNA were prefixed by `68`, in the Ennistymon MNA by `70` and the Kilrush MNA by `90`.
* All local numbers with the area code `066` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Tralee MNA were prefixed by `71`, in the Dingle MNA by `91`, in the Cahirciveen MNA by `94` and the Killorglin MNA by `97`.

Cork (021) changes to 7 digits.

* All local numbers with the area code `021` changed from 6–digits to 7–digits in two stages.
* From September 1998, numbers beginning with `40` were prefixed with `2`, while 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 prefix `080` was previously used for calls to Northern Ireland, but this changed to `048` following the Big Number Change.

### 2002–2003

[edit]

* Area codes in parts of counties Meath and Offaly were merged into the single area code `046`, including Navan, Nobber, Kells, Trim, Enfield and Edenderry. The `0405` area code was abolished. All local numbers became 7–digit.
* All local numbers with the area code `056` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Kilkenny MNA were prefixed by `77`, in the Castlecomer MNA by `44` and the Freshford MNA by `88`.
* Area codes in County Carlow and parts of counties Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois and Wicklow were merged into a new area code `059`, including Carlow, Bagenalstown, Athy and Baltinglass. The area codes abolished were `0503`, `0507` and `0508`. All local numbers became 7–digit.
* Area codes in County Sligo and County Leitrim and parts of counties Cavan, Donegal and Roscommon were merged into the single area code `071`, including Sligo, Boyle, Carrick-on-Shannon, Drumshanbo, Manorhamilton. The area codes abolished were `072`, `078` and `079`. All local numbers became 7–digit.
* The majority of area codes in County Donegal were merged into the single area code `074`, including Letterkenny, Lifford, Ramelton, Buncrana, Dungloe and Donegal. The area codes abolished were `073`, `075` and `077`. All local numbers became 7–digit.
* Area codes in parts of counties Galway, Offaly, Roscommon, Westmeath and Longford were merged into a new area code `090`, including Athlone, Banagher (North), Ballinasloe, Roscommon, Portumna.[note 1] The area codes abolished were `0902`, `0903` and `0905`. All local numbers became 7–digit.
* Area codes in parts of counties Galway, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo were merged into the single area code `094`, including Castlebar, Swinford, Claremorris, Ballinrobe, Castlerea and Ballaghaderreen. The area codes abolished were `0907` and `092`. All local numbers became 7–digit.

1. ^ In 2002 the Portumna MNA split from the area code `0509` and merged into the new area code `090`.

### 2005–2006

[edit]

* All local numbers with the area code `044` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Tyrrellspass MNA were prefixed by `92`, in the Mullingar MNA by `93` and the Castlepollard MNA by `96`.
* Area codes in County Wexford and parts of counties Carlow and Wicklow were merged into the single area code `053`, including Wexford, Enniscorthy, Ferns and Gorey. The area codes abolished were `054`and `055`. All local numbers became 7–digit.
* Area codes in counties Laois and Offaly and parts of counties Galway and Westmeath were merged into the single area code `057`, including Portlaoise, Abbeyleix, Tullamore and Birr. The area codes abolished were `0502`, `0506` and `0509`. All local numbers became 7–digit.

### 2008–2009

[edit]

* All local numbers with the area code `023` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Bandon MNA were prefixed by `88`.[5]
* All local numbers with the area code `043` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Longford MNA were prefixed by `33` and in the Granard MNA by `66`.
* All local numbers with the area code `052` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Clonmel MNA were prefixed by `61`, in the Cahir MNA by `74` and the Killenaule MNA by `91`.
* All local numbers with the area code `064` changed from 5–digit to 7–digit. Numbers in the Killarney MNA were prefixed by `66` and in the Rathmore MNA by `77`.

### Mobile numbering

[edit]

* Mobile numbering became 7–digit in the mid–1990s

### Possible future changes

[edit]

All local numbers with the area code `01` are currently 7–digits, but may change to 8–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.[6]

## Historical numbering

[edit]

### Defunct non-geographic codes

[edit]

* `1850` – Local rate, shared cost, untimed
* `1890` – Local rate, shared cost, timed
* `076` or `+353 76` – VoIP services

All of the above were withdrawn on 1 January 2022.

### Defunct access codes

[edit]

* `16` – former international access code[7]
* `03` – formerly used for calls to Great Britain. The format was `03 + NDC code + local number`.[8]
* `08` – formerly used for Northern Ireland landlines
* `084` – formerly used for Belfast landlines[9]

### Defunct operator services

[edit]

* `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 in the early 2000s and replaced with `11811`, originally `190`)
* `1197` – Telecom Éireann UK directory assistance (withdrawn in the early 2000s and replaced with `11818`, originally `197`)
* `1198` – Telecom Éireann international directory assistance (withdrawn in the early 2000s and replaced with `11818`, originally `198`)
* `191` – Telecom Éireann repair services (withdrawn in the late 1990s)
* `196` – telemessaging services, whereby 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

[edit]

* `1191` – speaking clock (withdrawn on 27 August 2018)

### Historical Northern Ireland access codes

[edit]

* before 2000: `08` followed by Northern Irish area code and phone number e.g. Belfast `01232 xxx xxx` was reached by dialling `08 01232 xxx xxx`.

Belfast could previously be reached by dialling `084` in place of the UK area code `0232`.[9]

### Historical Great Britain access codes

[edit]

Until the early 1990s, the `03` numbering range was originally used for calls to Great Britain,[10] including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, with the Irish prefix `030` replacing the UK trunk code `0`.[8][11]

Calls to British cities using the director telephone system were also possible using shorter codes:

* `031` – London (`01`)[12]
* `032` – Birmingham (`021`)[13]
* `033` – Edinburgh (`031`)[13]
* `034` – Glasgow (`041`)[13]
* `035` – Liverpool (`051`)[13]
* `036` – Manchester (`061`)[13]

`031` was replaced with `03071`[14] and `03081`[15] when `01` was split into the area codes `071` and `081` in 1990.

Use of `03` 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.[16]

## See also

[edit]

* List of dialling codes in the Republic of Ireland

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Numbering Conditions of Use and Application Process" (PDF). Commission for Communications Regulation. Retrieved 11 January 2022.
2. ^ "What Are Premium Rate Services?". 21 March 2016.
3. ^ "Review of Extended Operation of Health Service Executive 1850/1890 - Non-Geographic Numbers" (PDF). www.comreg.ie. 9 September 2021.
4. ^ "Review of Non-Geographic Numbers". Commission for Communications Regulation. 16 August 2017. Archived from the original on 17 April 2019. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
5. ^ "Notice of Geographic Number Changes 2009" (PDF). Commission for Communications Regulation. 30 November 2007.
6. ^ The Evolution of Geographic Telephone Numbering in Ireland, ComReg, 19 December 2013
7. ^ Birnbaum's Ireland, 1991, Stephen Birnbaum, Houghton Mifflin, 1990, page 151
8. ^ a b Festivals in Great Britain, Northern Ireland & Eire: A List with Forecast Dates and Policies, Richard Gregson-Williams, John Offord Publications, 1986, page 108
9. ^ a b Ireland: A Directory, Jim O'Donnell, Institute of Public Administration, 1984, page 247
10. ^ Multinational Executive Travel Companion, Guides to Multinational Business, 1992, page 244
11. ^ Ireland, Institute of Public Administration., 1991, page 173
12. ^ Ireland: A Directory, Jim O'Donnell, Institute of Public Administration, 1985, page 18
13. ^ a b c d e Ireland, Administration Yearbook and Diary, Institute of Public Administration, 1980, page 333
14. ^ State Directory, Stationery Office, 1992, page 76
15. ^ Benn's Media Directory, Benn, 1992, page 292
16. ^ Ireland, Institute of Public Administration, 1994, page 14

Sources

* ITU allocations list

## External links

[edit]

* Comreg homepage
* Comreg:Geographic Numbering Areas (pdf)

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