Area Code 491 – Cavan/Cootehill/Oldcastle/Belturbet
The phone area code for Cavan/Cootehill/Oldcastle/Belturbet is 491 (international format +353491). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 491
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Cavan/Cootehill/Oldcastle/Belturbet
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Jurisdiction
The +353 491 area code is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the north-central border region of the Republic of Ireland, encompassing the county town of Cavan and its surrounding areas. Specifically, this code serves the town of Cavan, Cootehill, Belturbet, and the adjacent parts of County Cavan, as well as the nearby town of Oldcastle in County Meath. The region is part of the Northern and Western Region of Ireland, with Cavan town serving as the administrative and commercial hub. The code covers a predominantly rural area with dispersed settlements, and its numbering is managed under the national numbering plan administered by ComReg (Commission for Communications Regulation).
Dialing Formats and Caller Instructions
For callers within Ireland, the local dialing format requires the national trunk prefix 0 followed by the area code and the subscriber number. For example, to call a number in Cavan town, you would dial 049 1234567 (where 1234567 is the local 7-digit subscriber number). For international callers, the country code +353 replaces the leading 0, so the same number is dialed as +353 49 1234567 from abroad. It is important to note that the area code is 491 in the international format (after +353), but when dialing domestically, the full national significant number includes the leading 0, making it 049 for local calls. This distinction is critical for correct call routing.
Overlays and Numbering Changes
As of the latest ComReg numbering updates, the 491 area code does not have an overlay; it remains a distinct geographic code. However, subscribers in the region may have the option to retain their numbers when switching service providers, in line with number portability regulations. The geographic nature of the code means that it is tied to a physical location, and calls are typically routed over the PSTN or VoIP networks, with the same tariff structure as other geographic calls within Ireland.
Practical Examples and Usage
For a local business in Cavan, a typical number might be 049 5551234. To reach this business from the United States, a caller would dial 011 353 49 5551234. From the UK, the international prefix is 00, so the number would be 00 353 49 5551234. It is essential to omit the leading 0 of the area code when dialing from outside Ireland. This area code is used for fixed-line services, and while some VoIP providers may assign numbers with this code, the geographic association remains for emergency services and number portability purposes.