Area Code 498 – Oldcastle
The phone area code for Oldcastle is 498 (international format +353498). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 498
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Oldcastle
Geographic Overview
The +353 498 area code serves the town of Oldcastle and its surrounding rural hinterland in County Meath, Ireland. Oldcastle is a heritage market town located in the northern part of the county, near the borders with Cavan and Monaghan. The prefix is geographically assigned to the town's local exchange, which is part of the national PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Network) operated by telecom providers such as Eir and other licensed carriers.
Dialing Formats
For callers within Ireland, the local number must be dialed in the national format: 049 498 XXXX (where XXXX is the subscriber's four-digit line number). Note that the leading '0' is the national trunk prefix and is only used when dialing from within Ireland. For international callers, the number must be dialed as +353 49 498 XXXX (or 00353 49 498 XXXX from many countries), omitting the leading '0'. The full international number comprises the country code +353, the National Destination Code (NDC) '49', and the local subscriber number '498 XXXX'.
Geographic Significance
This code is part of the larger '049' NDC, which covers a wide area of north County Meath and parts of Cavan. The '498' prefix specifically identifies the Oldcastle exchange, distinguishing it from other towns in the same NDC, such as Kells (049 937 XXXX) or Virginia (049 854 XXXX). Because it is a geographic number, the tariff for calling it is typically based on the caller's location and the distance, although many modern call plans include national calls at flat rates.
Overlays and Numbering
Currently, there is no overlay code for the 049 area; the NDC is not expected to run out of numbers in the near future. All numbers within the 049 NDC are 9 digits long after the country code (i.e., +353 49 XXX XXXX), and the '498' prefix is a central office code within that structure. Subscriber numbers are 7 digits long in total, with the first three being the exchange prefix.
Caller Instructions
- Local callers (within Ireland): Dial 049 498 XXXX.
- International callers: Dial your country's exit code (e.g., 00 from Europe, 011 from North America), then 353 49 498 XXXX.
- Mobile callers: When dialing from an Irish mobile, you can usually use the national format (049 498 XXXX) without the international prefix.
For businesses in Oldcastle, having a geographic number reinforces local presence and can be important for customers who prefer to call a local rate number. The number is portable within the same geographic area, subject to regulatory rules, but cannot be moved to a different NDC.