.ie Domain: Ireland ccTLD Guide

Updated October 2026

.ie is the country-code top-level domain for Ireland.

Overview

Extension.ie

Country or territory

Ireland

RegionEurope

RegistryIEDR (IE Domain Registry CLG)

Who can registerLocal presence required

TypeNational country code

Irish businesses and individuals use it to signal a local presence, and it is the main extension for Irish websites.

The .ie namespace was initially managed by University College Dublin. In July 2000 the IEDR became a private company and took over management. It is an independent, not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, with no shareholders, and is a member of CENTR. Its regulation is provided for in the E-Commerce Act.

Names are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, provided the applicant meets the connection requirement. In March 2018 the earlier requirement to show a claim to the name was removed, and FastPass registration began, which lets existing holders avoid supplying supporting documents again for later registrations.

Disputes are handled under the .ie Dispute Resolution Policy (ieDRP), operated by WIPO. A panel of one to three panellists decides whether the name is identical or misleadingly similar to a protected identifier, whether the registrant lacks rights or legitimate interests, and whether it was registered or used in bad faith.

Possible outcomes are confirmation, cancellation or transfer. IEDR implements a decision after a 21-day period that allows for a court challenge. In August 2018 the registry announced more than 250,000 registered .ie domains.

Who can register

Registrants must show a substantive connection to the island of Ireland. Accepted evidence includes an Irish company (CRO) or VAT number, an Irish trademark number, or an Irish passport or driving licence for individuals.

Rules and prices change. This summary is general information, not legal advice: confirm the current policy with the registry before you buy. The registry's website is www.iedr.ie. The official record for .ie is in the IANA root zone database.

Before you buy a .ie name

Check the renewal price as well as the first-year price. Our cost calculator shows what a name really costs over time.
Make sure you meet the eligibility rules yourself, without relying on a trustee if you can avoid it.
Search for trademarks and for the same name in .com.
Say the name out loud: will people type it correctly?

Weighing up a specific .ie name? TLD.is gives an AI appraisal that explains a name's strengths and weaknesses.