Registry gives surfers chance to secure personal web space

Web surfers can now make a name for themselves on the internet by registering their own vanity websites on an Irish domain.

The “dot-ie” domain names have been launched in response to the increasing popularity of broadband access, blogs and social networking sites such as Bebo and Facebook.

Ireland’s internet country code is one of the safest in the world due to low levels of cybercrime and cybersquatting, according to the IE Domain Registry (IEDR)

IEDR chief executive David Curtin said: “As well as Bebo and Facebook users, we expect a keen interest from people who want to secure their name online or who want to secure a family name for generations to come.”

People registering a domain must have links to Ireland and produce supporting documentation such as an Irish utility bill or driving licence.

The name on the document supplied must match exactly the domain name applied for.

It is not possible to register a nickname or first name or surname only.

Media personalities such as David McWilliams have already been allowed to use their names as trading names on Irish domain websites.

To check if your personal dot-ie domain name is available, visit www.iedr.ie.