For some reason you have to be a resident of Ireland when you buy an Irish Skypein number. Not sure why this is as it doesn’t apply to other countries.

Before you select a number you have to tick a box saying:

“I confirm that I am resident in the Republic of Ireland and that I am resident in the town where I select a geographic number (for example, if I select a Dublin geographic number, I am resident in Dublin). I agree not to hold more than two geographic numbers at any given time.”

Presumably this means that Skype can revoke your number if you’re outside Ireland.