The Irish Times Group has acquired Irish digital death notice website RIP.ie for an undisclosed sum.
The company, which publishes the Irish Times, Irish Examiner and a number of regional titles said the acquisition will help it expand its range of digital services and products and offer content that appeals to audiences “at every stage of their lives.”
RIP.ie is one of Ireland’s most popular websites with 60 million page views each month allowing bereaved families to share information about their loved ones’ deaths and provide details of funeral arrangements. Visitors to the site can express condolences to bereaved families as well as accessing a range of funeral-related services and resources. Founded in 2005, the website is operated by Co Louth-based company, Gradam Communications, owned by siblings Jay and Dympna Coleman.
The comprehensive nature of the death notices recorded on RIP.ie saw it used by the Central Statistics Office to provide more up-to-date mortality statistics during the covid pandemic.
Managing Director of The Irish Times Group, Deirdre Veldon said they were delighted to add RIP.ie to the services they offer readers and customers. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, she said the deal was a strategic one. “It aligns really well with our strategy to develop and enhance the services we offer.”
“It’s a fantastic business. The result of the passion of two entrepreneurs in Louth who have built up a tremendous following by providing reliable and trusted death notices services to Irish communities.”
Ms Veldon said that over time, RIP.ie would be integrated within the Irish Times Group but no immediate changes are planned and the service would not rely on revenues from readers to fund it but said there would be synergies with other media titles in the Group . “All of our publishing titles have had long and strong traditions of death and family notices. In an age where digital dominates, we felt it was really important to be where readers are in terms of getting their notices.”
“This acquisition helps us in our mission to stay relevant to our audiences by offering trusted journalism and content services that appeal to them at every stage of their lives.”
The acquisition is part of the media group’s move to expand its range of digital services and products. In addition to its print and digital titles, The Irish Times Group owns the property website MyHome.ie and recruitment website RecruitIreland.com. In recent years, it sold its interest in radio stations RedFM and Beat 102-103.
“As reader habits change, we are constantly looking for ways to enhance and diversify our portfolio. By harnessing the reach and compelling content of RIP.ie, The Irish Times aims to unlock new opportunities for audience engagement and digital growth. This acquisition aligns with our values in playing a pivotal role in Irish life,” Ms Veldon said.
Jay Coleman said: “We are immensely proud of what RIP.ie has become and what it means to the people of Ireland. In the Irish Times, we believe we have found a worthy custodian, one who will allow the site to grow and continue to offer a familiar and trusted resource for the end of life matters.”
The most recent accounts filed for Gradam Communications, show that accumulated profits at the firm rose to €1.7m with the company recording a profit of €264,912 for the 12 months to the end of December 2023.
