Does Ireland Use Postal Codes?

Yes, Ireland does use postal codes, known as Eircode, which was introduced in 2015 to facilitate efficient mail delivery and service.

Finally, Ireland got its postal code system in 2013-2014, known as Eircode. Every residential address is assigned a unique Eircode, designed to make mail delivery more efficient. For instance, a typical Eircode might look like this: A12 BC34. The first three characters identify the area, while the last four are unique to the specific address. This unique identifier helps prevent confusion in residential areas with similar names, such as the two Kilcommons in Tipperary.

Understanding Eircode

Eircode consists of seven characters: a letter, a number, a letter, a number, a letter, a number, and a letter. Each component is designed to serve a specific purpose:

Routing Code (First 3 Characters): Identifies the general area. Unique ID (Last 4 Characters): Internal to the routing area, it targets a specific address.

For example, if one house on Oak Drive has the Eircode A12 BC34, the next house won't automatically be A12 BC35, but perhaps A12 RF42. This is to accommodate new addresses being added between existing ones, ensuring no confusion or reassignment issues.

Why Eircode?

The introduction of Eircode was necessary, despite the efforts of An Post, the Irish postal service, who initially argued that their automated sorting machines could read full addresses. However, due to the high number of shared addresses (about a third in the Republic), delivery officers need more specific information, such as the house by the chapel with the red door. Private couriers, who don't have the same level of knowledge, also benefit from this system.

In comparison to other countries, where postal districts in cities are often incorporated into postal codes, Eircode uses a unique system where the Dublin postal district is still included in the addresses for those areas.

Eircode Breakdown

For a deeper understanding, consider the following examples from the Irish Times on July 22, 2015:

Dublin 1: The Eircode for An Post in Dublin 1 is D01 F5P2.

The first letter of the Eircode corresponds to a geographical area but does not always correspond to a known place name. For example, in Dublin, postal districts like 'D2' for Dublin 2 have long been used, and 'D' (as an abbreviation) is sometimes used in Eircodes.

PO Box Addresses: In contrast, PO Box addresses do not use Eircode, even though the system itself doesn't use PO Box addresses. For instance, a PO Box in Dublin 1 would be formatted as 'PO Box 129 Dublin 1'.

Overall, the Eircode system has streamlined mail and service delivery, improving efficiency and reducing confusion for both locals and visitors.