Happy 25th birthday to the .ie Registry
.ie – Ireland’s Digital Passport
Back in the year 2000, when the height of online sophistication was waiting 10 minutes for a dial-up connection to load your Bebo page, something quietly powerful was born: the .ie domain Registry.
Fast forward 25 years, and .ie is now the beating heart of Ireland’s online identity – trusted, secure and proudly Irish.
This year, the .ie Registry turns 25, and we’re not just raising a virtual pint to celebrate – we’re looking back at how far we’ve come and forward to where we’re headed.
From 20,000 to 330,000+ domains – that’s some craic!
In 2000, there were just 20,000 .ie domains. Today, there are over 330,000 – that’s a whopping 2,000% increase! Whether you’re a small business in Sligo, a charity in Cork, or a blogger in Ballybofey, .ie has been your digital home turf.
And it’s not just about numbers. 79% of Irish consumers say they prefer shopping on a .ie website*. Why? Because it feels local, secure, and trustworthy – like chatting with your favourite shopkeeper who knows your name and your dog’s name.
From dial-up to digital nation
Back in the day, only 20.5% of Irish households had internet access. Now? A massive 94% are online.* That’s a lot of Netflix, Zoom calls and online shopping – and a lot of .ie domains helping businesses thrive through recessions, pandemics and everything in between.
.ie Gives Back – Domains with Heart
To mark the big 2-5, the .ie Registry launched the “.ie Gives Back” campaign. Until 13th October, €1 from every domain registered or renewed is being donated to five incredible Irish charities:
- An Cosán – bridging the digital divide
- DSPCA – rescuing and rehoming animals
- Focus Ireland – fighting homelessness
- Make-A-Wish Ireland – granting magical wishes
- UNICEF Ireland – supporting vulnerable children
So, every time someone grabs a new .ie domain, they’re not just building their brand – they’re helping build a better Ireland. That’s what we call a win-win.
What’s next for .ie?
With AI, automation, and cyber threats on the rise, .ie isn’t resting on its laurels. It’s doubling down on security, resilience and innovation to make sure Irish businesses and communities can thrive online for the next 25 years and beyond.
As Minister Patrick O’Donovan put it, “.ie has been a leveller, allowing small businesses to compete with the big lads on a trusted, distinctly Irish platform”.* And we couldn’t agree more.
So, what can you do?
Got a business idea? Register a .ie domain and make it real.
Already online? Renew your domain and support Irish charities.
Just here for the craic? Share the love and celebrate 25 years of Irish digital pride.
Here’s to the next 25 years of .ie – may they be even more connected, creative, and community-driven than the last.
Sláinte, .ie – you’ve done us proud!
*Statistic Sources https://www.weare.ie/get-online-with-a-ie-domain/ https://www.weare.ie/blog-ireland-online-the-25-year-internet-transformation/ https://www.weare.ie/press-release-ie-celebrates-25-years-powering-ireland-online/