I am slightly confused about the process in purchasing a .ie domain name.

There is a name I want to register which is just a generic domain like http://www.thisdomainisavailble.ie

Can I just go ahead and register it as I have seen lots of different options
discretionary applicant etc... but I am confused about what to do. I dont have an Irish company registered

it is so easy to rank for irish this and irish that that I personally don't bother with .ie domains. too much red-tape imo.

of course they have some seo value I guess.

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just want to get my head around the process as there is one or two side projects I am looking at and having a .ie would be useful for the brand recognition.

Will need to form a company at some point anyway so if thats the easiest option will do that, but as I said just trying to see what I need to do.

Sometimes no harm in red tape if its for the greater good of greed

Remo

If you are a sole trader the simplest way to do it is to register a business name with the CRO which will cost you about 20 euro. If you intend to trade as anything other than yourself you are meant to register a business name anyway, so it won't hurt.

You can then apply for a domain name.

If the domain name is identical or similar to the registered business name you would use:
Sole trader - registered business name

and supply the cro number

If the domain name wasn't obviously connected to the business name you would choose:

Sole trader - Discretionary

and provide tangible proof of the connection to the domain name.

Registering them isn't hard and if you have a serious project in mind it is well worth the small bit of effort involved.

In seo terms it will definitely help a LOT if you are targetting the Irish market.

In terms of a business it gives peace of mind, as each domain is registered to a real person / business, which is not the case in .com where there is zero validation

You will also have a much wider range of choices open to you in the IE namespace, as there are far fewer domains registered (sub 100k vs. the millions in .com)

Anyone who says they're not worth the hassle really doesn't know what they are talking about and is basing their views on the way things used to be. It used to be a complicated process - it isn't anymore

We're now connecting directly into the IEDR via their API, which means that the manual element in registrations has been reduced significantly. It's not as automated as .com or .eu, but it's definitely getting there

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With this option, what tangible proof can you realistically provide if for arguments sake I was registered as a sole trader as Remo but wanted to have as part of my sole trader operation thisdomain.ie and anotherdomain.ie

FYI I am putting together a pretty lenghty response to your affiliate question

The IEDR have recently updated their site to include more information on this:

Category 11: Discretionary Name Requirements:

• NB: The discretionary name category should only be used in cases where the domain name application does not fall within any of the other pre-defined categories.
• A detailed letter from the applicant outlining their claim on the proposed domain name. If the applicant is a registered company or has a registered business name, please supply the relevant number within the supporting letter.
• Where a company or a business applies for a name that relates to a product or service that is not yet in the public domain, the applicant must submit information showing that they have invested significant time, effort, or resources in the product or service that directly relates to the proposed domain name.
• Where the domain name relates to a proposed non-commercial project, information showing that the applicant has invested significant time, effort, or resources in a project that directly relates to the proposed domain name.
• High quality brochure/promotional material or other demonstration of significant investment in the project, expo, or event may be sufficient.
• A signed letter on headed paper from a bank manager, firm of chartered accountant(s), registered auditor(s), tax consultant(s), where the tax advisor identification number is displayed on the letterhead, or relevant professional body/association or solicitor(s) confirming the applicants claim on the proposed domain name.
• Where the applicant is a natural person: Together with information showing their claim to the proposed domain name, non-trading individuals applying under the discretionary name category must provide adequate documentary evidence confirming their identity. Acceptable documentation would include a copy of the applicant's passport, birth certificate, driver.s license or Irish revenue / social welfare document showing PPS number.
• Where the applicant is a sole trader: Documentation to show that the applicant is trading in Ireland. A VAT number or a signed letter on headed paper from an Irish bank manager, firm of chartered accountant(s), registered auditor(s), tax consultant(s), where the tax advisor identification number is displayed on the letterhead, or solicitor(s) confirming that the person (sole trader) is currently trading in Ireland.
• Any other supporting documentation that the Registry deems acceptable.
  
  * Information supporting the "reasonable connection" maybe requested at the discretion of the IEDR.

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