As we continue to live in an increasingly connected world, the ability to communicate with people around the globe becomes increasingly important. Whether you're a businessperson with international clients, an expatriate with family back home, or simply a curious traveler planning an Irish adventure, knowing how to call Ireland from the United States can be of immense value.

In this article, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step, explaining the nuances and complexities of international dialing to make your experience as straightforward as possible. Understanding how to make international calls is crucial in today's world as it can save you time, money, and unwanted stress, while also allowing you to stay connected with people in far-flung parts of the world.

Let’s get started.

America’s Relationship With Ireland

The United States and Ireland have a long and intertwined history. For generations, Irish immigrants have made the journey across the Atlantic, leaving their mark on America in countless ways. As a result, more than 32 million Americans identify as of Irish descent — that’s over seven times the population of Ireland itself!

This deep cultural connection is one of the many reasons why so many Americans find themselves needing to make calls to the Emerald Isle, whether to keep in touch with family and friends, conduct business, or plan their next trip to experience the lush landscapes and rich history firsthand.

What Are the Basics of International Dialing?

What exactly is an international call? Simply put, an international call is a telephone call that is made from one country to another. These calls are subject to specific dialing procedures and tariffs, which are different from those of local and long-distance calls within a particular country.

When it comes to the standard procedure for making an international call, it can be broken down into a few key steps:

• First, you'll need to dial the exit code of the country you're calling from. This code allows your call to leave the local network and connect to the international telephone network.
• Next, you'll dial the country code of the country you're calling to. Every country has a unique code that ensures your call is routed to the correct country.
• After the country code, you'll enter the area code (also known as a city code) of the specific region in the country you're calling.
• Finally, you'll dial the individual's personal phone number. The combination of exit code, country code, area code, and specific phone number allows your call to accurately connect to the intended recipient, no matter where in the world they might be.

The process may seem daunting at first, especially if you're not used to making international calls, but with a bit of practice, it will soon become second nature. In the following sections, we’ll delve into the specifics of calling Ireland from the United States to further simplify the process for you.

Step-by-Step Guide to Calling Ireland

Now that you’ve learned the basics of international calling, we can get into the specifics of calling Ireland. The procedure might seem complicated as it will require a series of codes to be entered correctly. It’s pretty easy when we show you an example. With that in mind, let’s take a more detailed look into each step for calling Ireland from the US:

Step 1: Dial the US Exit Code (011)

The exit code for the United States is “011.” This is also known as the international direct dial (IDD) code. This three-digit code allows your call to leave the domestic network and connect to the international telephone network. It's the first thing you'll dial when making an international call from the United States.

Step 2: Dial the Ireland Country Code (353)

Dial the country code for Ireland, which is “353”. The country code is a numerical code that is unique to each country, ensuring your call is routed to the correct country in the international telephone network.

Step 3: Dial the Area Code or Mobile Code

When calling Ireland, the next step varies depending on whether you're calling a landline or a mobile phone. If you're calling a landline, dial the area code directly. However, if you're calling a mobile phone, you'll typically dial the mobile code, which is “8”, followed by the remaining digits of the mobile number.

Ireland has a trunk code of “0”. This code is used when making a domestic long-distance call within Ireland. However, when making an international call to Ireland from the United States, disregard this trunk code. In other words, if the number you're trying to call starts with “0,” skip this digit and proceed to the next one.

Step 4: Dial the Phone Number

Once you've dialed the US exit code, Ireland's country code, and either the area code (for landlines) or mobile code (for mobile phones), it's time to dial the individual's personal phone number. This will typically be a seven-digit number for a landline, whereas a mobile number usually comprises the mobile code and seven additional digits.

Examples of Making Calls to Someone in Dublin

Here are a few examples that can help to understand the process better. First, let’s say you’re trying to call a landline in Dublin (which has an area code of “1”) from the United States. You would dial the exit code, country code, and area code first. Follow these with the seven-digit phone numbers. It would look something like this: 011-353-1-XXX-XXXX.

Now, let’s say you’re trying to reach the same person in Dublin but decided to call their cell phone instead. In that case, you would dial the same exit code and country, but this time replace the area code with an “8” (the mobile code) and follow it up with their cell number. It would look like this: 011-353-8-XXX-XXXX.

Each part of the number has a specific role in routing your call to the correct destination. The US exit code ('011') gets your call out of the United States, the country code ('353') directs it to Ireland, and the area or mobile code directs the call to the specific phone in Dublin.

What Are the Area Codes in Ireland?

Ireland uses a number of area codes to designate different geographical areas within the country, just like the US and Canada. The difference, of course, is that Ireland is much smaller than these two countries, so there are fewer area codes.

Here's a quick rundown of some of the most common area codes:

• Dublin: 01
• Cork: 021
• Limerick: 061
• Galway: 091
• Waterford: 051
• Drogheda: 041
• Dundalk: 042
• Navan: 046

Remember that when dialing from outside of Ireland, you need to omit the first “0” in each of these area codes.

How Much Does It Cost To Call Ireland From the United States?

As you’d probably imagine, making an international call very often incurs a higher cost than domestic calls. Several factors can affect the cost of calling Ireland from the US, such as whether you're calling a landline or a mobile number, your phone carrier's rates, and whether you have an international calling plan.

To begin with, calls to landlines are typically less expensive than calls to mobile numbers. This is because mobile service providers often charge additional fees to connect international calls, which get passed on to the caller.

When it comes to specific rates, they vary from one carrier to another. For example, as of the time of this writing, AT&T charges around $4.00 per minute for calls to Irish mobile numbers without an international calling plan. Verizon charges around $0.49 per minute for the same thing.

These costs can quickly add up, so it's a good idea to consider an international calling plan if you plan to make regular calls to Ireland. For instance, AT&T's International Calling Plan allows for unlimited calling from the US to more than 85 countries worldwide and discounted calling for 140 more.

Lastly, internet-based calling services like Skype, Zoom, or WhatsApp can be a cost-effective alternative, especially if both parties have a reliable internet connection. These services often allow for free or lower-cost calls but do remember to take into account any potential data charges.

What Is the Time Difference Between Ireland and the US?

Understanding time differences is a vital part of making international calls. Ireland operates on Irish Standard Time (IST) in the summer and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) during winter.

To give a few examples, if it's noon in New York (Eastern Standard Time), it's 5 PM in Ireland during the winter (GMT), and 6 PM during the summer (IST). If you're in Chicago (Central Standard Time), noon equates to 6 PM in Ireland during the winter and 7 PM in the summer. In Los Angeles (Pacific Standard Time), noon corresponds to 8 PM in Ireland during the winter and 9 PM during the summer.

Check the time difference to ensure your call is placed at a convenient time, and it helps maintain a good relationship with the person on the other end of the line — not the opposite. After all, nobody wants to be woken up in the middle of the night by a phone call!

The Last Ring

As we close this comprehensive guide on how to call Ireland from the US, it's vital to emphasize the importance of maintaining privacy while making international calls. While apps like Burner cannot yet make international calls, it does provide valuable benefits for domestic calls.

The Burner app acts like a firewall for your phone, giving you a secondary, temporary number that you can use without revealing your primary number. This is particularly useful when you're contacting businesses or individuals you don't know well and wish to maintain your privacy.

Remember, staying connected in the age of globalization shouldn't come at the cost of your privacy or your budget. And with these step-by-step instructions and tips, you're now well-equipped to make those important calls to Ireland from the US.

As our final piece of advice, we encourage you to use the Burner app for domestic calls. Download it today for a free trial and experience how it can enhance your personal security while calling. Keep connected, stay secure, and happy dialing!

Sources:

Happy St. Patrick's Day to One of 10 in U.S. Who Claim Irish Ancestry | Census

International Calling Tip Sheet | Federal Communications Commission

International Country Calling Codes and Dialing Prefixes | Nations Online Project

Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) | Federal Communications Commission

Irish Standard Time – IST Time Zone | Time and Date