Picture this: your phone rings, and it’s a number that looks like a legit Dublin business. The person on the other end sounds professional, knows your name, and creates just the right amount of urgency to grab your attention. Before you know it, they’re asking for personal details — things no real organization would ever ask for over the phone. Sound familiar? It’s happening across Ireland every day.
This is why a reverse phone lookup is more important than ever in Ireland. Scammers are a lot more sophisticated these days. They’re not making obvious fraudulent calls anymore; they’re faking calls from numbers you might trust, and taking advantage of the fact that most of us will pick up a call if it has a familiar area code.
Our platform lets you check this phone number before you respond. You’ll get all the info that matters — which provider owns the number, where it’s based across Ireland, mobile network details, and real feedback from people who’ve already dealt with that caller.Ever wondered “who’s calling me” when you see an unknown or suspicious number? We can help you find out.
Our phone number reverse search guides make it easy to figure out who’s calling in Ireland. Just search the number, check out what others in Ireland have reported, and decide if it’s worth your time — or if it’s block list material!
| Category | Details |
| Country | 🇮🇪Ireland |
| Country Calling Code | +353 |
| National Trunk Prefix | 0 (used before area/mobile codes within Ireland) |
| International Direct Dial (IDD) | 00 (used to dial abroad from Ireland) |
| Standard Number Format | +353 XX XXX XXXX (international) / 0XX XXX XXXX (domestic) |
| Example Mobile Number | +353 87 123 4567 (domestic: 087 123 4567) |
| Example Landline Number | +353 1 234 5678 (domestic: 01 234 5678) |
| Area Codes (Geographic) | 01 (Dublin), 021 (Cork), 091 (Galway), 061 (Limerick), 051 (Waterford) |
| Regulator | ComReg (Commission for Communications Regulation) |
| Notable Features | Closed numbering plan, full mobile portability, 1800 freephone, 0818 national rate, 1850 shared-cost, 1890 low-call, and strong GDPR data protection. |
Ireland’s Phone Number Structure
Irish phone numbers have a clear structure that tells you what kind of call it is and why it’s being made. Knowing this stuff can really save you from surprise costs or dodgy scams. Landlines are linked to specific places, and mobile numbers often show you the original network. Businesses use toll-free and shared-cost numbers, and VoIP (the 076 ones) is getting really popular for digital services. But watch out for premium-rate (15xx) numbers – they can seriously rack up the per-minute charges.
Figuring out what kind of number you’re dealing with helps you decide if you should answer, ignore, or just block it. For example, if you get an “unknown” call from a +353 15 number, that’s a premium service – definitely not your bank trying to reach you.
What to do:
- Figure out the number’s prefix (the first two or three digits after 0 or +353).
- Check it against the list below.
- Use this info to get a sense of its purpose and any potential risks.
| Number Type | Prefix / Range | Description |
| Landline (Geographic) | 01–09 (excluding 08) | Fixed-line numbers linked to specific cities or counties. |
| Mobile | 083, 085, 086, 087, 089 | Issued by main Irish mobile carriers. |
| VoIP / IP Telephony | 076 | Internet-based calling services for individuals and businesses. |
| Toll-Free | 1800 | Free to call from both landline and mobile. |
| Shared-Cost / National Rate | 0818, 1850, 1890 | Used by companies; caller pays local or shared cost. |
| Premium Rate | 15XX | High-charge services such as voting, entertainment, or information lines. |
| Short Codes / Emergency | 112, 999, 116XXX | Emergency and public helplines. |
Mobile Carrier Prefixes Used in Ireland
In Ireland, big mobile companies each get their own phone prefixes. Even though you can keep your number if you switch providers, knowing these prefixes is useful. It helps you tell if a call is coming from a real network or if it’s something suspicious. For instance, scammers love to spoof Irish mobile prefixes (like 087 or 089) to make themselves seem local. But a quick look can usually tell you if it actually matches a real carrier’s numbers.
How to identify the number:
- Check the first three digits after 0 or +353.
- Match it to the carrier in the list.
- Treat any mismatched or unfamiliar prefixes with caution.
| Prefix (0XX) | Original Operator | Notes |
| 083 | Three (3 Ireland) | Common for personal and business mobiles. |
| 085 | Meteor / Eir | Now merged with Eir Mobile. |
| 086 | Vodafone Ireland | One of the oldest and most recognized ranges. |
| 087 | Eir (formerly Telecom Éireann) | Popular among long-term users. |
| 089 | Virgin Mobile / MVNOs | Used by smaller virtual networks. |
| 088 | Reserved / Special Use | Occasionally used for corporate or service networks. |
Area Codes Across Ireland and Their Regions
Ireland’s geographic landline prefixes show where a call originated. These codes help verify whether a caller truly operates from the area they claim.
How to use this table:
- Look at the area code (the first 2–3 digits after 0).
- Match it with the region in the table.
- Compare the example number to confirm the correct format.
| Area Code | Region / County | Common Sub-Prefixes | Example Number | Major Cities / Areas |
| 01 | Dublin | 2–9XX | (01) 234 5678 | Dublin City, Dún Laoghaire |
| 021 | Cork | 2–9XX | (021) 987 6543 | Cork City and suburbs |
| 022 | North Cork | 2–8XX | (022) 345 6789 | Mallow, Kanturk |
| 023 | West Cork | 3–8XX | (023) 456 7890 | Clonakilty, Bandon |
| 024 | East Cork | 2–7XX | (024) 934 5678 | Youghal |
| 025 | North East Cork | 3–8XX | (025) 241 2345 | Fermoy |
| 041 | Louth / Meath | 3–8XX | (041) 987 6543 | Drogheda, Dundalk |
| 042 | Louth / Monaghan | 2–8XX | (042) 345 6789 | Carrickmacross |
| 043 | Longford | 3–8XX | (043) 556 7890 | Longford Town |
| 044 | Westmeath | 2–8XX | (044) 912 3456 | Mullingar |
| 045 | Kildare | 3–8XX | (045) 987 6543 | Naas, Newbridge |
| 046 | Meath | 2–8XX | (046) 945 1234 | Navan, Trim |
| 047 | Monaghan | 3–8XX | (047) 765 4321 | Monaghan Town |
| 049 | Cavan | 2–8XX | (049) 437 1234 | Cavan Town |
| 051 | Waterford | 2–9XX | (051) 876 5432 | Waterford City |
| 052 | South Tipperary | 3–8XX | (052) 612 3456 | Clonmel |
| 053 | Wexford | 2–8XX | (053) 912 3456 | Wexford Town |
| 061 | Limerick | 3–8XX | (061) 456 7890 | Limerick City |
| 065 | Clare | 2–8XX | (065) 123 4567 | Ennis |
| 066 | Kerry | 3–8XX | (066) 712 3456 | Tralee, Killarney |
| 071 | Sligo / Leitrim | 2–8XX | (071) 912 3456 | Sligo Town |
| 074 | Donegal | 2–8XX | (074) 912 3456 | Letterkenny |
| 090 | Roscommon | 2–8XX | (090) 662 3456 | Athlone, Ballinasloe |
| 091 | Galway | 3–8XX | (091) 567 8901 | Galway City |
| 093 | Tuam / East Galway | 2–8XX | (093) 265 4321 | Tuam |
| 094 | Mayo | 2–8XX | (094) 902 3456 | Castlebar |
| 095 | Connemara | 2–8XX | (095) 212 3456 | Clifden |
| 096 | Ballina | 2–8XX | (096) 214 5678 | Ballina |
| 098 | Westport | 2–8XX | (098) 234 5678 | Westport |
Reliable Tools for Irish Reverse Phone Lookups
Reliable reverse lookup tools combine telecom data, public directories, and crowd-sourced reports. These platforms can help you identify spam, scams, and legitimate businesses across Ireland.
How to use this table:
- Start with a lookup to identify number type and origin.
- Verify results with official or crowd-based sources.
- Use multiple lookups if you suspect fraud.
| Tool / Website | Type | Description |
| Scannero.io | Reverse lookup tool | Global lookup tool providing identity, carrier, and spam detection for Irish numbers. |
| ComReg Number Checker | Government Registry | Official telecom regulator database with allocation and numbering info. |
| WhoCallsMe.ie | Community | User-submitted spam and telemarketing call reports. |
| Eir Directory Enquiries | Official Directory | National business and residential listings. |
| Truecaller.com | Mobile App | Caller ID and spam filter app popular in Ireland. |
| Tellows.ie | Community | Local Irish spam reporting database. |
How Reverse Phone Lookups Work
Got a call from an unknown number? Naturally, you want to know who’s on the other end. Reverse phone lookups find out by digging through tons of data sources like phone directories, subscriber info, and even user reports. Here’s how it works:
- Data Collection: Phone numbers are gathered from different sources like telecom records, public directories, and reports from users. Some tools even check social media data connected to the number.
- Instant Analysis: When you enter a number, the tool quickly scans millions of records to find a match. It then shows you the most relevant information it finds.
- What you’ll see: A basic search will usually show the caller’s name and location. If you want to dig a little deeper, you might find extra details like their job or email address.
What Causes Gaps in Reverse Search Results
It’s important to understand that not all phone number lookup services are the same. Some offer better results than others. Here’s why:
- Unavailable information: Some numbers, such as private cell phones or unlisted numbers, may not appear in public databases.
- Outdated data: If a service’s database hasn’t been updated recently, you might receive old or inaccurate information.
- Caller spoofing: Scammers can make their calls appear legitimate by mimicking real phone numbers. This makes it harder to trust the data you see.
The primary distinction between these services lies in the number of databases they access. Single-source platforms can sometimes lack critical information. This is where services like Scannero prove valuable. By leveraging telecom data, user reports, and real-time scam alerts, they provide more comprehensive coverage, making them a stronger choice when other directories fall short on details.
Phone Scams and Scam Trends in Ireland
Phone scams in Ireland have become more sophisticated, often mimicking local prefixes or official institutions. Learning to recognize the patterns below helps you stay one step ahead.
| Indicator | Type of Scam/Spam | Example Format | Comment / Recommendation |
| +353 1 / 021 numbers with fake tax alerts | Revenue / tax scam | +353 1 234 5678 | Revenue will never demand payment or personal data by phone. |
| Mobile numbers (083/085/089) with parcel links | Delivery phishing | +353 85 123 4567 | Don’t click SMS links; verify through the courier’s official website. |
| +353 15 / 0900 numbers | Premium-rate fraud | +353 15 234 5678 | Avoid calling premium-rate numbers you don’t recognize. |
| International prefixes (+225, +44, +234) | Wangiri callback scam | +225 12 345 678 | Ignore missed calls from unfamiliar foreign numbers. |
| “Bank security” calls claiming card issues | Financial impersonation | +353 1 567 8901 | Hang up and call your bank using the number on your card. |
| Fake Eir / Vodafone customer service | Account takeover scam | +353 87 654 3210 | Never share verification codes or passwords. |
| Recorded calls claiming to be from Gardaí | Law enforcement impersonation | +353 21 345 6789 | Gardaí never use automated calls; report to ComReg or local police. |
Stay safe with these top tips:
- Never ever share your PINs, one‑time passcodes (OTPs) or bank details over the phone — banks like AIB, Bank of Ireland or permanent tsb will not request these by text or call.
- If you receive a call or SMS claiming to be from Revenue (Irish Tax & Customs) or Gardaí demanding urgent payment or card transfer, hang up and contact the official agency number found on gov.ie.
- Avoid clicking on SMS links that claim to be from An Post, DHL, or Parcel Force telling you to pay a “customs fee” — check your tracking details directly on the courier’s official app or website instead.
- Don’t return missed calls from unfamiliar international country codes (e.g., +225, +234, +44) — these are often Wangiri callback scams, which can leave you with large bills.
- Be cautious with numbers starting 15XX (premium‑rate) or 0818/1850 (business rate) if you didn’t initiate contact — these could be high‑cost lines.
Public Telephone Directories in Ireland
Use official and non-commercial directories to confirm legitimate contacts and avoid fraudulent numbers.
| Directory | Type | Purpose |
| Eir Directory Enquiries | Official | Ireland’s main directory for verified landline and business listings. |
| ComReg Numbering Database | Regulator | Check official number ranges and report scam activity. |
| Tellows.ie | Community | Local spam reports and call origin information. |
| 11890.ie | Business Directory | National business information and listings. |