The number of .ie domain names registered has surpassed 200,000 for the first time according to IE Domain Registry’s (IEDR) annual report.
Figures released this week showed the milestone was reached during the first quarter 2015, with a total of 203,217 .ie domain names registered by the end of March.
The report found that almost 17,000 new .ie domain names were registered, a 6.4% annual increase in registrations.
Leinster accounted for 69% of all .ie domain names registered in Ireland, of which Dublin accounted for 47%. Munster, Connacht and Ulster followed at 18%, 8% and 5% respectively.
Dublin had the highest rate of .ie domains registered per 1,000 population with 69, followed by Wicklow at 47 and Carlow at 46. Donegal, with just 16 per 1,000, had the lowest rate.
Ireland now ranks joint 15th with France out of 19 EU States when comparing equivalent rates of national country code domain registrations, significantly behind the UK at 166 domains per 1,000 population.
“Reaching the milestone of 200,000 .ie domain names is significant for Ireland. The number marks the extent to which all aspects of Irish life – individuals, communities and businesses – have migrated online,” said David Curtin, chief executive, IEDR.
“For all those with a registered .ie domain name, the registry ensures that the registrants’ websites are identifiably Irish and that they have a real and substantive connection to Ireland. For businesses this can be a critical marketing and branding tool in promoting their companies.
“Our data suggests that the Government must accelerate broadband and other SME digital initiatives not just to get communities and businesses online, but to increase their awareness of the value of owning and managing digital assets, including their own domain names.”
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