Calling from Ireland works pretty much the same as in any other country. Almost all foreign countries can be direct-dialled. However, international calls can be expensive.
Irish phone numbers are composed of 10 numbers, and are usually presented in this format: (0xx) xxx xxxx. The numbers correspond to the area code, as follows:
Mobile prefixes usually start with 08 (e.g. 0822 for Vodafone or 086 for O2).
To dial abroad from Irish phones, it is necessary to use the '00' prefix, followed by the country code. You should then remove the first 0 of the local phone number.
The country code for Ireland is 353. To call Irish numbers from abroad, you should dial the area code without the first zero after the country code (so for example 00 353 402 xxx xxx. if you are calling someone who lives in Arklow).
International calls from Ireland can be very expensive. For this reason, you might want to consider alternative international calling methods such as international calling cards or Voice over IP (VoIP) calls.
Calls to Northern Ireland can be made as international calls, using the format 00428, but this is very expensive.
Instead, Northern Ireland can be reached by using the 048 prefix. If you use this prefix, you are only charged the cost of a national call. This works only for Northern Ireland, and the rest of the UK remains fixed at the international call rate.
Important numbers that should be known are the following:
112 is the European number for emergencies. Dialling the old number 999 also works.
The set prefix for premium-rate services in Ireland is 15, and includes a range of services.
The full range of premium-rate numbers is: 151x, 1530, 1540, 1550, 1559, 1560, 1570, 1580. 1559 is reserved for adult calls and protected by a PIN.
Premium-rates are set by the various bodies, but all services are monitored by the government.
The national prefix for free calls is 1800. The prefix for shared costs (Lo-cost) is 1850.