Numbers on the Irish Telephone Numbering Plan are regulated and assigned to operators by ComReg.
Overview and history
Telephone numbers in Ireland are similar in format to those in many European open numbering plans, for example the UK or Germany, with only the subscriber's number being required for local dialling. However, one can also dial local calls with the full area code without any difference in charge. The trunk prefix is '0' and is followed by an area code, the first digit of which indicates the geographical area. Calls made from mobile phones, however, always require the full area code and phone number.
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.
Overview
Geographically assigned
Irish geographical area structured on a regional basis and follow a logical hierarchy of regions and sub-regions. These area codes approximately correspond 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.
Codes do not necessarily match county or provincial boundaries, as they evolved to suit technical requirements of the network as it developed over the decades.
Except for the 01 area, each area is further subdivided into smaller areas. Usually, the main city or town in the area is 0X1. (Cork 021, Limerick 061, Galway 091 etc.)
Regional overview
- 01 â€" Dublin area â€" also extends to certain parts of Wicklow, Meath and Kildare.
- 021â€"029 â€" Most of County Cork; Cork City, Bantry, Bandon, Fermoy etc.
- 0402, 0404, 041â€"047 and 049 â€" North East, Midlands and parts of Wicklow.
- 051â€"059 Midlands and South East.
- 061â€"069 South West and Mid West Area
- 071, 074 â€" North West Area.
List of major area codes by city/town
- 01 â€" Dublin city, County Dublin and parts of counties Kildare, Wicklow and Meath.
- 02 â€" Cork city, most of County Cork and a small part of County Waterford : (021) Cork City, (022) Mallow, (023) Bandon, (024) Youghal, (025) Fermoy, (026) Macroom, (027) Bantry, (028) Skibbereen, (029) Kanturk.
- 04 â€" East Coast (excluding Dublin), and parts of Midlands e.g.(041) Drogheda, (042) Dundalk, (043) Longford, (044) Mullingar, (045) Kildare, (046) Navan, (047) Monaghan, (049) Cavan, (0402) Arklow, (0404) Wicklow.
- 05 â€" Southeast & East Midlands e.g. : (051) Waterford city, (052) Cahir, (053) Wexford, Rosslare, (056) Kilkenny City, (057) Tullamore, Birr and Portlaoise, (058) Dungarvan, (059) Carlow,(0504) Thurles, (0505) Roscrea,
- 06 â€" Southwest & Midwest including Counties Kerry and Limerick : (061) Limerick city and Shannon, (062) Cashel, (063) Charleville, (064) Killarney & Kenmare, (065) Ennis, (066) Tralee & Dingle, (067) Nenagh, (068) Listowel, (069) Newcastle West.
- 07 â€" Northwest including Counties Sligo, Leitrim and Donegal : e.g. : (071) Sligo, Carrick-on-Shannon, Manorhamilton and Bundoran, (074) Letterkenny, Ballybofey, Glenties.
- 08 â€" Mobile Telephones, Pagers and some non-geographic numbers see below:
- 09 â€" West and West Midlands, including Counties Galway, Mayo and areas of Westmeath : e.g. (090) Athlone, Portumna and Ballinasloe, (091) Galway city, (093) Tuam and Headford (Co. Galway), (094) Castlebar, (095) Clifden, (096) Ballina, (097) Belmullet, (098) Westport, Achill and off-shore Islands, (099) Kilronan (Off Shore), Aran Islands
ComReg maintains a map of area codes here.
Mobile services
Mobile phone numbers start with the 08x prefix. The prefix, 088, was previously issued to the Eircell analogue service. This has subsequently been issued to Digiweb.
Irish mobile telephone numbering 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.
Mobile number portability has been in operation since 2003. While a new connection to any network will take the prefix above, there is no guarantee that a number with one of those prefixes has remained on that network. In addition, a given network is not guaranteed to receive all of their prefix block. The numbers in each prefix are allocated in blocks of several thousand to the networks, as they require them, thus ComReg could in theory, allocate 083 numbers to Vodafone.
A mobile network cannot reliably be identified by its mobile prefix. However, newly issued numbers are currently allocated per network, e.g. a new Three Ireland number would get the 083 prefix.
Defunct prefixes
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 086 1234567, its voicemail number would be 086 5 1234567.
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. This can be useful when one's mobile phone is out of battery and one wants to check their voicemail from another number.
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 â€" 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 â€" reserved for future changes in the numbering plan.
- 07 â€" all except 0707, 0700, 071, 074 and 076 are reserved without assigned purpose.
- 0707 â€" Reserved for personal numbering.
- 0800 â€" Reserved
Special numbers
- 00 â€" International access.
- 020 91x xxxx â€" Drama use (although the rest of the 020 area code is free).
- 0700 â€" Personal Numbering.
- 076 â€" Voice over IP services.
- 080 â€" Mailbox for landline users (Formerly NI access code).
- 0818 â€" Universal Access (similar to personal numbering).
Operator services
General operator assistance no longer exists in Ireland. It used to be available by dialling 10 from within Ireland.
- 118xx â€" Directory Enquiries (Multiple commercial providers offer a variety of services in this number range)
Emergency services
The emergency number for Ireland is 112, as with most European countries. 999 is also used alongside 112.
Services provided
- Ambulance
- Garda SÃochána (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.
Special rate numbers
Special rate numbers in this table are from Eir (landline) and 48 (mobile). Prices correct September 2016.
Internet access numbers
- 1891 â€" Reduced cost Internet Access (possibly timed)
- 1892 â€" Local rate Internet Access (timed)
- 1893 â€" Variable Cost Internet Access (timed)
Carrier selection (per call)
- 13 xxx â€" 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... â€" Network operator specific engineering codes (undefined length) â€"
Speaking clock
- 1191
Line information codes
These services give you more information about your phone line (applicable only to eir and Smart Telecom).
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 vertical service codes
Vertical service code are used to control various supplementary services offered by digital local exchanges. These services were first introduced as 'PhonePlus' in 1979 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 â€" Caller ID default override â€" Withhold Caller ID on this call.
- 142 â€" Caller ID default override â€" Present Caller ID on this call.
- 1471 â€" Check last missed call. The system will verbally announce details of the last missed call.
- #93# â€" 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)# â€" Forward all calls to (phone number)
- *#21# â€" Check Status of Call Forwarding
- #21# â€" 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 â€" Caller ID default override â€" Withhold Caller ID on this call.
- 142 â€" Caller ID default override â€" Present Caller ID on this call.
Call forwarding
Call forwarding (unconditional)
- *70 (wait for prompt and enter phone number) â€" Forward all calls to (phone number)
- #70 â€" Deactivate Call Forwarding
Forwarding to voicemail
- *75 â€" Forward calls to voicemail when busy.
- #75 â€" Deactivate Forward calls to voicemail when busy.
- *77 â€" Forward calls to voicemail if unanswered.
- #77 â€" Deactivate Forward calls to voicemail if unanswered
Call waiting
- *76 â€" Activate Call Waiting
- #76 â€" 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 â€" Activate Anonymous Call Rejection
- #90 â€" 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 â€" 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.
2002â€"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) 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 area 0405 area code was abolished. All local numbers became 7-digit.
In 2006â€"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 2009â€"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
Dublin 01 was changed to 7-digit number in 1994.
Mobile numbering became 7-digit in the mid-1990s
Cork 021 was changed to 7-digit numbers in 1998-1999.
The 066 area code including Tralee and Dingle was moved 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.
Historical numbering (no longer in use)
Defunct access codes
- 16 â€" Former International Access Code
- 03 â€" Formerly used for calls to Britain â€" Format was: 03 + UK STD code + Local number.
- 08 â€" Formerly used for Northern Ireland landlines
- 084 â€" Formerly used for Belfast landlines
Defunct operator services
- 10 â€" National Operator Assistance (withdrawn in 2007)
- 114 â€" International Operator Assistance (withdrawn in 2007)
- 910 â€" Operator assisted calls to some areas without direct dialling (withdrawn in the early 1980s)
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
Historical codes to access British numbers
Until the early 1990s, the 03 numbering range was originally used for calls to Great Britain, with the Irish prefix 030 replacing the UK trunk code 0. Calls to British cities using the Director telephone system were also possible using shorter codes:
- 031 â€" London (01)
- 032 â€" Birmingham (021)
- 033 â€" Edinburgh (031)
- 034 â€" Glasgow (041)
- 035 â€" Liverpool (051)
- 036 â€" Manchester (061)
This was discontinued in 1992, when the international access code changed from 16 to 00, and calls to Great Britain required the country code 44 and the area code in full.
For a short period in the early 1990s, 03000 was used for premium rate services (see below)
See also
- List of dialling codes in the Republic of Ireland
References
Sources
- ITU allocations list
External links
- Comreg homepage
- Comreg:Geographic Numbering Areas (pdf)