Area Code 560 – Kilkenny
The phone area code for Kilkenny is 560 (international format +353560). Browse local exchange codes (NXX) and carrier assignments below.
📞 Exchange Codes (NXX) for Area Code 560
Select a central office code to view local carrier data and detailed information
📍 Geographic Location of Kilkenny
Overview of Ireland Area Code 560
Area code 560 is a geographic National Destination Code (NDC) assigned to the historic county of Kilkenny in the Republic of Ireland. Under the ITU-T E.164 international numbering plan, the full country calling code for Ireland is +353, and when dialing a Kilkenny number from abroad, callers must drop the leading trunk prefix '0' and use +353 560 followed by the local subscriber number. Within Ireland, the number is dialed as 0560, including the trunk prefix '0'.
Geographic Coverage and Administrative Context
The 560 code serves the administrative county of Kilkenny, located in the province of Leinster in the south-east of Ireland. The principal city is Kilkenny City, which is also the county seat. The code covers the city itself and the surrounding towns and rural areas, including Castlecomer, Thomastown, Callan, and Graiguenamanagh. The area is known for its medieval heritage, with Kilkenny Castle and St. Canice's Cathedral being notable landmarks. The code is administered by ComReg, the Irish communications regulator, and is allocated to fixed-line services, although some VoIP providers may also use it for geographic numbers.
Dialing Formats and Instructions
For local callers within Ireland, the number must be dialed in full: 0560 XXX XXX (where X represents the local subscriber digits). The national significant number (NSN) is 9 digits long, beginning with 560. For international callers, the format is +353 560 XXX XXX. It is important to note that the leading '0' of the trunk prefix is not included when dialing from abroad. For example, a local Kilkenny number might be 0560 123 456; from the United States, you would dial 011 353 560 123 456, while from the UK or other European countries, you would dial 00 353 560 123 456.
Overlay and Numbering Considerations
As of the latest ComReg numbering plan, there is no overlay code for the 560 area. The code is unique to Kilkenny, and no other geographic area shares it. However, due to number portability, a subscriber may retain their 560 number even if they move to a different geographic area, provided they stay with the same service provider or switch to a provider that supports porting. This means that a call to a 560 number does not guarantee that the caller is physically located in Kilkenny; the number could be routed to a VoIP service or a mobile network if the number has been ported. Nevertheless, for most fixed-line services, the 560 code remains a reliable indicator of a Kilkenny-based line.
Caller Guidance
When calling a Kilkenny number from a mobile phone within Ireland, you should always include the trunk prefix '0' (i.e., 0560...). From abroad, always use the international format +353 560... to ensure proper routing. If you are unsure whether a number is a fixed line or a mobile, note that Irish mobile numbers typically begin with 08x (e.g., 085, 086, 087, 089) and are not prefixed with 560. For business or personal use, 560 numbers are standard geographic rates, and calls are typically included in bundled minutes for landline packages. Always check with your service provider for any international calling charges.