.ie is Ireland's country-code domain, managed by the .IE Registry (formerly the IE Domain Registry, IEDR) from Dublin. Uniquely among the extensions ATCOS offers, it is a managed namespace: every application is checked for a genuine connection to Ireland, which keeps the zone small, trusted, and largely free of speculation.
That vetting is precisely its commercial value. Irish consumers know a .ie site had to prove itself, and the registry's own consumer research suggests they prefer buying from one. It suits Dublin professional firms, Cork and Galway retailers, Northern Ireland businesses trading across the border, and UK or Dutch companies with documented Irish trade who want to look properly local rather than parachuted in.
ATCOS Domains manages the .ie paperwork as part of registration on GoDaddy's platform: you supply evidence of your Irish connection, a CRO number, VAT registration, or proof of trading, and we shepherd the application through. Bundled hosting, email, and SSL complete an Irish web presence, with terms available up to ten years.
Live .ie pricing — including multi-year and renewal rates — is shown at checkout before you commit. No surprises, no checkout-only fees.
Who .ie is built for
- Irish SMEs from Dublin to Donegal use .ie because the vetted namespace tells local customers the business is verifiably connected to Ireland.
- Northern Ireland companies trading in the Republic register .ie alongside co.uk so each side of the border sees a domestic-feeling address.
- UK and Dutch exporters with Irish customers can qualify through trading evidence, gaining a local storefront without opening an Irish entity first.
- Freelancers and consultants in Ireland's tech and pharma hubs present .ie portfolios that read as rooted, taxable, and reachable to procurement teams.
- Web agencies serving Irish clients handle the connection-evidence step as a service, turning .ie's paperwork from an obstacle into a differentiator.
Registrants must demonstrate a real connection to the island of Ireland, such as citizenship, residency, an Irish-registered company, or documented trade with Irish customers; Northern Ireland applicants qualify. Since the 2018 policy change, applicants no longer need to justify their claim to the specific name chosen.
.ie — Frequently asked questions
What evidence do I need to register a .ie domain?
Individuals typically show Irish citizenship or residency; businesses supply a Companies Registration Office number, an Irish VAT number, or comparable proof of trading with Ireland such as invoices to Irish customers. Northern Ireland documentation counts, since eligibility covers the whole island. ATCOS Domains submits the evidence during registration, and approval commonly follows within a short review period.
Did .ie rules get easier recently?
Yes. Until 2018 applicants had to prove both a connection to Ireland and a specific claim to the name itself, which blocked many legitimate registrations. The registry dropped the claim-to-name test, so demonstrating the Irish connection alone now suffices, and the zone has grown considerably since. The connection requirement remains firmly in place, preserving the extension's trusted character.
Who runs the .ie registry?
The .IE Registry, the rebranded IE Domain Registry (IEDR), administers the namespace from Dublin as the official manager of Ireland's country code. It accredits registrars, publishes research on Irish online trade, and operates an independent dispute resolution process for contested names. Registrations through ATCOS Domains flow to the registry via GoDaddy's accredited channel.
Can I keep my personal details private on a .ie domain?
Individual registrants benefit from GDPR-driven redaction in the public database, so personal names and contact details are not openly displayed. Company registrant records are treated as organisational data and remain more visible. Because eligibility documentation sits with the registry and registrar rather than in public WHOIS, proving your Irish connection does not expose the evidence itself.