How to Call Ireland From the US via Phone or App + Helpful Tips

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Learn how to dial Irish phone numbers with our easy guide
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Calling Ireland from the United States can be confusing and pricey. It is important to know the correct codes for making international calls on your phone. Codes vary between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, which is still part of the UK. There are also special codes for mobile phones versus landline area codes. On the other hand, you can avoid codes and costs altogether by using VoIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol) apps. [1]

Quick Steps

  1. Enter your country's exit code (011 for USA).
  2. Enter Ireland's country code (353).
  3. Enter the call recipient's area code or mobile code.
  4. Enter the rest of the phone number and dial.
Section 1 of 5:

Using Your Phone

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  1. This is the exit code used to leave the United States calling region and signals that you are going to make an international call.
    • Example: 011-[country code]-[area code]-[local number]
    • If you are on a mobile phone, you can opt to dial a + instead of 011 . However, dialing 011 still works on mobile phones as well.
      • To get a + symbol when dialing, press and hold the 0 button on your cell phone's keypad.
  2. Dial 353 if you're calling the Republic of Ireland. To call Northern Ireland, see How to Call the UK from the United States . Northern Ireland is part of the UK, so it has a different country code.
    • Example: 011-353-[area code]-[local number]
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  3. Irish area codes are two to four digits long, and mobile codes are always three digits long. These codes all start with the number 0, but this zero must be dropped when calling internationally. As such, the area code you dial will be one to three digits long, and mobile codes are always two digits long.
    • If your contact didn't give you an area code for their number, use Google or your favorite search engine to determine what area code to use.
    • Examples:
      • 011-353-1-[local number] (calling a landline in Dublin)
      • 011-353-83-[local number] (calling an Irish cell phone)
  4. Most Republic of Ireland phone numbers will have seven more digits, but sometimes they will have five or six. [2]
      • 011-353-1-55555 (calling a landline in Dublin)
      • 011-353-83-5555555 (calling an Irish cell phone)
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Section 2 of 5:

Tips for Calling Ireland Affordably

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  1. To call Ireland, you will likely need to add an international calling plan to your current phone service to make calling more affordable. Check with your carrier about your specific options and rates for your cell phone or landline.
  2. You can use calling cards on landlines and cell phones. By calling the number on the card, you will make the international call through the card service provider rather than your phone provider. Using an international calling card can save you money. There are some things you should be aware of when using an international calling card with your cell phone. These tips will prevent you from accidentally incurring extra charges:
    • Do not dial the number using your contact list. If you select the number from your contact list, you will disconnect from the calling card service and make the call through your cell phone service provider. You must dial out the numbers once you are connected to the calling card service.
    • Do not press "Send," "OK," or "Dial" after dialing the number you are calling in Ireland. The calling card service will connect you automatically. Pressing any of these buttons will disconnect you from the calling card service and make the call directly from your cell phone using your service provider.
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Section 3 of 5:

Using WhatsApp

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  1. WhatsApp is a free application that allows you to text and call internationally using data instead of expensive cellular voice minutes. [3]
  2. Within the app, begin a new chat by selecting the “Chats” icon on the bottom of the screen. On the top of the chat screen, you will see the message icon, which looks like a pencil and paper. Select this icon to move to your contact list. Touch the name of the person you wish to call from the contact list to open a chat page. [4]
    • If you have already begun a chat with the person you are calling, select their name from your list of chats to open their chat screen.
    • Your contact list will show who can be contacted using WhatsApp by listing “Available” under their name.
    • If your contact does not use WhatsApp, you will be prompted to send them a message that reads, “Hey there! I am using WhatsApp.”
  3. Once you have opened the chat screen, you will see the phone icon next to the profile picture at the top of the screen. Select this icon to make a free international call using WhatsApp. [5]
    • The call is free because it uses internet data to place the call rather than cellular services. If you have limited data, it is best to place the call while connected to Wi-Fi to avoid using too much of the data on your cell phone plan.
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Section 4 of 5:

Using FaceTime

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  1. Apple has the built-in FaceTime application, allowing free international phone calls between their devices. FaceTime is pre-installed on all iPhones, so there is no need to download an app.
    • The iPhone 4 was the first to have FaceTime, and all iPhones made after that also have the app. Other Apple devices with FaceTime are the iPad 2 and later, all iPad minis, and the 5th generation iPod Touch. [6]
    • If you used or purchased your device in the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, or Pakistan, it may not have the FaceTime App pre-installed. You can get FaceTime from the App Store on your device.
    • You may need to update your FaceTime app to enable the voice call feature.
  2. When you are using an iPhone, open the FaceTime app by selecting Settings > FaceTime > Use your Apple ID . Enter your Apple ID to sign in to FaceTime. [7]
  3. If you are using an iPhone, it will already have registered your phone number and the email associated with your Apple ID should appear when you log in. To check the email address listed or add others, choose Settings > FaceTime > Add Another Email . [8]
    • You can add several email addresses to your account, allowing you to contact people using various email addresses.
    • You can call someone in Ireland using their email address associated with FaceTime. You do not need to have their phone number.
  4. FaceTime calls are made using the internet instead of cellular service. This is why you are not charged like you would be for a regular phone call. On the other hand, that means that the call requires data. If you have limited data, this could eat through your plan rather quickly. When you are connected to Wi-Fi, you can use that service and save your data. [9]
    • Connect to Wi-Fi by selecting Settings > WiFi > On .
    • Once you have enabled Wi-Fi, select the Wi-Fi network you want to join and enter any necessary passwords to gain access.
    • When your phone is connected to Wi-Fi, the Wi-Fi radar beacon symbol will replace the data carrier on your display.
  5. You can do this in a few ways. If you have entered this person into your contact list, you can select their name. The screen will show the contact information you have entered. Under the phone number(s), you will find the FaceTime section. Two symbols are listed. One is the video camera for video calls. Select the phone symbol for voice calls. [10]
    • If the person you are calling is not in your contact list, open the FaceTime app and enter their email or phone number in the box at the top of the screen.
    • You can also activate Siri and give the voice command “FaceTime audio…” and the name of the person you are calling from your contact list. [11]
  6. If another call comes in while you are on your current call, you can decline the incoming call or end the current call and answer the new one. These two options will appear to replace the red “end” button. [12]
    • iOS 8 models and later also have a call waiting feature, which allows you to place your current call on hold while answering the other call.
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Section 5 of 5:

Using Skype

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  1. Skype is available on various devices, including computers, cell phones, tablets, Xbox, smartwatches, and televisions. Choose which device you would like to use and download Skype from your app store. [13]
  2. Calling another Skype user from your computer to theirs is free, but calling cell phones and landlines incurs a fee. Skype offers the option of paying for Skype Credit for calls or joining in a monthly plan. Depending on how much you intend to call Ireland, you may want to pay as you go or sign up monthly. [14]
    • With Skype Credit, the rate for calling mobile phones in Ireland is 10 cents/minute. Calling landlines will cost you 2.3 cents/minute.
    • Skype offers several plans to call Ireland ranging in price from $2.54/month to $29.74 per month. Some plans allow you to call just Ireland, while others allow you to call the entirety of Europe or the entirety of the world. Most plans allow you to call mobiles and landlines, but some are landline only.
  3. Open the application and register for an account. You will need to input some basic information, including your name, email address, country, state, and city. Create a Skype name and password for personal conversations.
    • You can skip entering your birthday if you are concerned about security.
    • Once you set up your account, you will be given the option to add a minimum of $10 credit or skip that step and just get started.
  4. From the login screen, enter your username and password to access your Skype account. You can check the box beneath this text box to save your username and password to your device for future use. Click “Sign In” to log into your account.
    • Do not save your username and password to a public computer.
  5. The button has an icon of 10 dots arranged like a dial pad.
  6. If your contact also has a Skype account and has connected their phone number to their account, you can add them as a contact and call their phone directly from your contacts list.
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Community Q&A

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  • Question
    I am calling a US cellphone from NY to Ireland using Skype. I am unable to connect, but I can leave a message. Why is this?
    Community Answer
    In my experience, your message most likely isn't going through, even if you're seemingly capable of "leaving" one.
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  • Question
    How do I find the 3 digit area code for counties in Northern Ireland?
    Community Answer
    Seek the phone number for the specific person or business you would like to contact. The area code should be listed as part of their phone number. If you need to find the area code another way, you can check the official area code chart provided by Ireland's Commission for Communication Regulation or search for another similar area code map online.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
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  • Question
    Exactly what numbers must I dial from Mosinee, Wisconsin, USA to call the Dark Sky Preserve in Kerry, Ireland?
    Community Answer
    The numbers you would want to dial to call Dark Sky Preserve from the United States are 011 353 83 4489069.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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      Tips

      • Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland are in the Western European Time Zone, which is synchronous with GMT or UTC (Greenwich Mean Time or Coordinated Universal Time). The continental United States spans four time zones, from EST (Eastern Standard Time), which is GMT -5, to PST (Pacific Standard Time), which is GMT -8. Alaska is GMT -9, and Hawaii is GMT -10.
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      • Almost everybody in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland speaks English, so your odds of worrying about a language difference are extremely small.
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      • Both the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland observe Summer Time, or Daylight-Saving Time, but on a slightly different schedule from the United States. In Ireland, the clocks are set forward by one hour on the last Sunday in March and set back to regular time on the last Sunday in October. In the United States, DST begins on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November.
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      References

      1. ↑ http://www.voip-info.org/wiki/view/What+is+VOIP
      2. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Telephone_numbers_in_the_Republic_of_Ireland
      3. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/download/
      4. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/android/28000016
      5. ↑ https://www.whatsapp.com/faq/en/android/28000016
      6. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380
      7. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380
      8. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380
      9. ↑ http://bgr.com/2014/02/11/facetime-audio-calling-how-to-guide/
      1. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380
      2. ↑ http://bgr.com/2014/02/11/facetime-audio-calling-how-to-guide/
      3. ↑ https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204380
      4. ↑ https://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-computer/
      5. ↑ https://www.skype.com/en/credit/#

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To call Ireland from the United States, first dial 011, which is the exit code used to call another country from the U.S. Next, dial 353 if you’re calling the Republic of Ireland, or dial 44 if you’re calling Northern Ireland, which is still part of the UK. If you’re calling someone on their cell phone, include the code for their mobile provider, then dial the area code for the city you wish to call. Finally, enter the remaining digits of the telephone number you’re calling. For tips on using apps like Skype or WhatsApp to call Ireland, keep reading!

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