If you’ve never posted a letter before, the process can feel more complicated than it actually is. There are only a handful of steps involved, but getting the basics right—address format, postage, and which service to use—makes all the difference between your letter arriving smoothly or getting held up. This guide walks you through sending letters from Ireland to anywhere, with official steps from An Post and Royal Mail.

4 related posts

Primary Irish Service: An Post ·
UK Postal Guide: Royal Mail ·
Top Resource: An Post Sending Guide ·
Common Query: First-time mailing

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Current exact stamp prices subject to change—check An Post directly
  • Specific weight limits for A4 envelopes vary by service tier
3Timeline signal
4What’s next
  • Choose your service level based on speed and tracking needs
  • Prepare your envelope and address following country-specific format
  • Drop at post office or postal box

How do you properly send a letter in the mail?

Sending a letter properly comes down to three core steps: prepare your envelope, affix the correct postage, and choose your drop-off method. Each step has specifics worth getting right the first time.

Prepare your envelope

Fold your letter correctly—most standard letters use a tri-fold for A4 paper to fit the envelope without bulk. Use a standard envelope size; in the UK, letters are classified as either “letter” or “large letter” based on dimensions, which directly affects postage cost (Post Office UK How to Send Letter). For Ireland, An Post recommends standard envelope sizes that keep your item within size limits.

Affix postage

Purchase stamps appropriate to your destination and service level. For domestic Irish letters, An Post offers services from €1.85 for Standard Post with 3-7 working days delivery. For faster delivery, An Post Digital Stamp costs from €2.85 for next working day notified delivery in Ireland (An Post Sending Guide). Make sure your stamps are properly stuck and the envelope is securely sealed.

Drop off options

You can visit any An Post office location or use a postal box. For registered or valuable items, visiting a post office counter directly ensures proper handling. An Post Registered Post starts from €10.00 with delivery notification included (An Post Sending Guide).

The catch

A single stamp covers a standard letter, but A4 envelopes often require two stamps—check your service’s weight limits before sealing.

How do I send a letter in Ireland?

An Post is Ireland’s primary postal service, handling all domestic letter deliveries. Whether you’re sending across the street or across the country, the process follows the same core steps.

An Post services

For everyday letters, An Post Standard Post provides affordable delivery across Ireland. An Post also offers Express Post for faster delivery and Registered Post for items requiring proof of posting and tracking. You can consult the An Post Sending Guide for detailed service comparisons.

Standard Post details

Standard Post remains the most cost-effective option for non-urgent letters. Delivery typically falls within 3-7 working days depending on destination. For tracking, use An Post’s online tools via their main site to monitor your item’s progress.

Buy stamps

Stamps are available at any An Post office, selected retail outlets, and online. For domestic letters, ensure your stamp covers the current rate for your envelope’s size and weight category.

Bottom line: An Post covers all domestic Irish letters with affordable options starting from €1.85. For anything beyond standard letters, Registered Post adds €10.00 for tracking and delivery notification.

How do I send a letter with An Post?

An Post provides a structured system for sending letters, with clear guidelines on envelope preparation, size and weight limits, and available sending options.

Envelope guidelines

Standard letters should fit comfortably in a C5 or C6 envelope for smaller items, or C4 for unfolded A4 documents. The envelope must be securely sealed—Royal Mail requires letters or parcels to Ireland to be securely sealed and checked for prohibited items (Royal Mail Ireland Guide). Avoid overfilling envelopes, as this can cause processing issues.

Weight and size limits

Each service tier has specific weight thresholds. Standard Post handles letters up to standard weight limits, while larger or heavier items may require additional postage or a different service category. Check current limits at your local post office or online.

Sending options

An Post offers three main sending tiers: Standard Post for economy, Express Post for speed, and Registered Post for security. The An Post Sending Guide outlines the full range, distinguishing clearly between letter services and parcel options.

Why this matters

Choosing the wrong service tier means either overpaying for simple letters or under-paying and risking your item being held or returned.

How much is it to post a regular letter in Ireland?

Letter postage costs in Ireland vary based on size, weight, and delivery speed. Understanding the current rate structure helps you avoid under- or over-paying on postage.

Stamp prices

An Post stamp prices have increased over recent years. A standard domestic letter stamp typically covers up to 100g within standard size limits. For larger envelopes (like A4), you may need two stamps—An Post advises checking Citizens Information for current rate updates (An Post Sending Guide).

A4 envelope stamps

A folded A4 letter fits into a C5 envelope with one stamp, but an unfolded A4 in a C4 envelope often requires two stamps due to increased weight and dimensions. Verify your envelope’s status before affixing postage.

International rates

For letters sent internationally from Ireland, An Post Standard Post starts from €1.85 with 3-7 working days delivery (An Post Sending Guide). International rates differ from domestic ones and depend on destination country and service level.

The upshot

Stamp prices shift periodically—always verify current rates before mailing to avoid your letter being held for postage correction.

How do I mail an envelope to the UK?

Sending letters from Ireland to the UK involves specific addressing conventions and, post-Brexit, different customs rules for parcels versus letters.

Address format

UK addresses follow a specific layout from Post Office UK: addressee first, then house and street, locality, town or city, county, and finally postcode (Post Office UK How to Send Letter). Irish addresses for Dublin and Cork include a one- or two-digit postal district after the city name (Royal Mail Ireland Guide). When sending from the UK to Ireland, write ‘IRELAND’ in capital letters on the last line of the address.

Postage from Ireland

Use An Post international services for letters going to the UK. Standard Post provides economy delivery, while tracked options offer visibility. Royal Mail International Tracked to Ireland aims for 3-4 working days to delivery point (Royal Mail Ireland Guide).

Customs for UK

Post-Brexit rules create a key distinction: letters between Great Britain and Ireland operate as normal with no changes (An Post Delivering after Brexit). However, parcels from Ireland to Great Britain require a customs form. Goods under £270 to Ireland require a CN22 customs form via Royal Mail (Post Office UK Mail). For letters, no customs declaration is needed.

The catch

If you’re sending a parcel—not a letter—to the UK from Ireland, you must include customs documentation. Letters remain unaffected by post-Brexit changes.

Step-by-step: How to send a letter

Three steps, a handful of choices, and your letter is on its way. Here’s the full process broken down.

  1. Prepare your letter and envelope. Fold A4 paper correctly, place in appropriate envelope size, write the recipient’s address legibly. Include your return address on the back or top-left of the front.
  2. Affix correct postage. Purchase stamps from An Post or online. For international destinations, ensure international-rate stamps are used. For UK-bound letters, use appropriate An Post international services.
  3. Drop off at a post office or postal box. For Standard Post, any postal box works. For Registered Post or Express delivery, visit an An Post counter for a receipt and tracking options.
What to watch

If your letter requires a customs form (for parcels to the UK), complete the form at the post office counter before handing over your item to avoid delays.

What first-timers say

I’ve never sent any letters before. I’ve searched online but still don’t really understand the process.

— Reddit AskIreland contributor (Reddit r/ireland)

The addressing part tripped me up most—I kept forgetting which country name goes at the bottom and whether I needed a postcode format.

— First-time sender, community forum

Four key facts, one pattern: postal services operate within defined size and service tiers, with costs tied to speed and tracking level.

Label Value
Irish Postal Service An Post
Sending Guide URL www.anpost.com/Post-Parcels/Sending/Sending-Guide
UK Guide www.royalmail.com/sending/international/country-guides/ireland
Common Issue First-time mailing confusion

The implication: bookmarking these two official guides gives you the most current information when rates or procedures change.

Summary

Sending a letter in Ireland—even to the UK—is straightforward once you know the basics: use An Post for domestic, choose the right service tier for your speed and tracking needs, and follow addressing conventions for your destination. Post-Brexit rules mean letters remain unaffected, but parcels require customs forms. For first-time senders, the main pitfalls are under-paying for oversized envelopes and skipping the tracking option when proof of delivery matters. Check current stamp prices before you seal your envelope—rates change, and an under-stamped letter gets held up before it leaves the country.

Related reading: Places to Go Near Me: Hidden Gems in Meath, Louth, Laois

Additional sources

royalmail.com, anpost.com, royalmail.com

Don't miss these

Frequently asked questions

How do I buy stamps for a letter?

Purchase stamps at any An Post office location, selected retail partners, or through An Post’s online shop. For international letters, ensure you buy international-rate stamps rather than domestic ones.

What are the size limits for standard letters?

Standard letter size in Ireland typically follows European C5 and C6 formats. The UK classifies mail as “letter” or “large letter” based on dimensions and weight—exceeding standard limits requires additional postage or a different service tier.

How long does An Post take to deliver?

Domestic Irish delivery via Standard Post typically falls within 3-7 working days. For faster delivery, Express Post offers next working day service. International Standard Post from Ireland takes 3-7 working days to major destinations like the UK.

Can I send a letter without a post office visit?

Yes. For standard letters with pre-paid postage, you can drop your letter in any postal box. For Registered Post or items requiring customs forms, a post office visit is necessary to access tracking and complete documentation.

What if my letter is overweight?

Overweight or oversized letters require additional postage. If you underpay, the letter may be held at the sorting office and the recipient may need to pay the shortfall upon delivery, or the letter may be returned to sender.

How to track a registered letter?

An Post Registered Post starts from €10.00 and includes delivery notification. Track your item through An Post’s online tracking system using the receipt number provided at time of posting.

Differences between Standard and Express Post?

Standard Post is the economy option with longer delivery windows (3-7 working days for international). Express Post costs more but delivers faster—An Post Digital Stamp from €2.85 offers next working day delivery within Ireland with notification included.