Ireland’s digital story
For 25 years, .ie has helped Ireland navigate the digital world, supporting people, businesses, and communities in building a trusted online presence.
As the national registry for over 330,000 domain names, we at .ie protect Ireland’s unique online identity while enabling growth, connection, and opportunity. Our mission has always been to make the internet a place where Ireland can thrive, providing a resilient, secure, and accessible space for everyone connected to the country.
This year, as we celebrate our 25th anniversary, we look back on the journey so far, and look forward to the next chapter of innovation and digital prosperity.
Laying foundations
2000-2009
At the turn of the millennium, Ireland’s online presence was beginning to take shape. Internet access was limited, broadband reached few areas, and only a handful of organisations had websites. From the first registration of a .ie domain in 1988, the namespace and the organisation became a trusted guide; providing reassurance and structure for anyone joining the online space. By the end of 2000, over 26,000 .ie domains were registered, a meaningful sign of Ireland’s emerging digital identity.
Some key milestones include how by the mid-2000s, personal domain names became available, giving individuals the chance to make their personal mark online. By the end of the decade, the introduction of a formal Registrar Agreement and Policy Development Process created clear guidance for all .ie domain holders, with 150,000 .ie domains registered in total by the end of 2009.
With these foundations in place, the next decade would open the doors to wider access and new opportunities, bringing Ireland’s digital story to even more people and businesses.
Building momentum 2010-2019
In the 2010s, .ie evolved from a trusted registry into an enabler of Ireland’s digital economy, helping businesses, entrepreneurs and communities claim their space online with ease.
Streamlined policies and simpler validation made securing a .ie domain easier than ever, while maintaining the trust that had defined its early years.
The Policy Development Process, launched in 2010, matured into a collaborative framework, This process enables members of the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) to consider suggested changes and implement updates, giving stakeholders a direct role in shaping .ie’s policies. The PAC reviews proposals, advises the Board, and ensures that decisions are fair, transparent, and aligned with the needs of Ireland’s online community. This collaborative environment has guided the registry with updates such as short domains (like AA.ie), internationalised domain names (like éire.ie), domain resale, and broader policy liberalisation.
By the end of the decade, the 300,000th .ie domain had been registered. What began as a way to protect Ireland’s digital identity had become a platform for growth, innovation and national connectivity, setting the stage for the next chapter of .ie’s story.
The digital decade
2020-2025
When Ireland’s daily life moved online almost overnight during the Covid-19 pandemic, .ie was ready to meet the moment. Almost 120,000 new .ie domains were created during the pandemic years, representing the digital-first mindset for communities and for local small business.
As more people and businesses turned to the online world, cybercriminals targeted the inexperienced new arrivals online. .ie deepened its role as one of the guardians of Ireland’s digital space. Security became an even sharper priority with the NIS2 legislation, which sets EU-wide rules to strengthen the security of online infrastructure. Preparing for NIS2 compliance ensures that .ie can continue to protect Ireland’s unique online identity and help businesses and communities operate safely.
Through the .ie Digital Town Programme, initiatives like the Digital Town Awards celebrated communities using digital innovation to improve local life, while the Digital Town Blueprint, developed with DCU, offered practical guidance and data to help towns measure their digital readiness and plan their future online journeys. Collaboration with government and stakeholders ensured that Ireland’s online infrastructure remained not just active but secure. These initiatives ensured that, even in a time of rapid change, Ireland’s online identity remained resilient for everyone who relied on it.
Looking ahead
Ireland’s digital journey is far from complete. The coming years will bring fresh challenges, from the growing sophistication of cybercrime to the spread of misinformation and the increasing dependence on global platforms. These pressures will test the strength and resilience of Ireland’s digital infrastructure and the trust that underpins it.
For .ie, the mission remains clear: to help Ireland get online, grow online, and thrive online. This involves continuing to support small businesses as they establish and expand their online presence, empowering local communities to harness digital tools for social and economic development, and guiding individual users to safely navigate an increasingly complex online world. By combining awareness, advocacy, practical initiatives, and technological safeguards, .ie ensures that the internet remains a secure, accessible, and innovative space for everyone connected to Ireland.
The past 25 years laid the groundwork. Now, it is time to lead with purpose into the next chapter.
W: www.weare.ie/history-timeline/
