The .ie top level domain is normally used to register domains of organisations which are based or actively trading in the Republic of Ireland. To register a .ie domain, you must be able to prove a real and substantive connection with Ireland. Usually this means providing a company registration number, or other documentary proof of your connection to Ireland, and rights to the name which you wish to use.

Having a www.company.ie website is a great way of showing your customers that you are based in Ireland.

For multinational companies, or if you are trading internationally, using a .ie domain is useful for providing market specific information targetted at Irish customers.

Registering in .ie can help protect your company name and/or trademarks in Ireland, even if you don't yet want to set up a website.

There are much fewer .ie domains registered compared to .com or .net, this means that your chosen name is more likely to be available.

Registering a .ie domain is more expensive than in the generic (.com/.net/.org) domains.

The rules for allowed names are much more strict for .ie domains. This may prevent you getting the exact name you want, even if no-one else has registered it.

You may have to provide documentary proof of your rights to the name before being allowed to register. However, registering company names is usually quite easy.

Having a www.company.ie website shows that you are located in Ireland, and may not be suitable for situations where you wish to "appear" to be an international company