The 237-square-kilometre (92 sq mi) municipality was located south and west of the Batnfjorden, to the northeast of the town of Molde.

On 1 September 1882, a part of the neighboring Fredø Municipality (population: 40) was transferred to Øre.

On 1 September 1893, the northern part of Øre (population: 226), was separated from Øre and merged with parts of Fredø and Kvernes municipalities to form the newly created Gjemnes Municipality.

The name is the plural form of eyrr which means "gravel shoal near the mouth of a river".

[6] The municipal council (Herredsstyre) of Øre was made up of 19 representatives that were elected to four year terms.