For more than half a century, the small ads of the Galway Advertiser have quietly chronicled the rhythm of life in the west of Ireland. Week after week, line after line, they have connected strangers, solved problems, opened doors, and, in many cases, changed lives. Now, 56 years on from those first modest listings, that tradition takes a significant step forward with the launch this week of the Galway Advertiser’s new online classified platform — classifieds.advertiser.ie a natural evolution of a service that has long been woven into the fabric of Galway life.
There has always been something uniquely personal about the classifieds. Long before the age of apps and instant messaging, these small blocks of text carried enormous weight. They were how people found their first room in a shared house, bought a reliable second-hand car, hired a tradesperson, or even reached out in search of companionship. Over time, they became much more than simple transactions; they became markers of life’s milestones.
So too have they glued the bond between the Advertiser and its readers, led by our valued front office team who have created a special relationship with those valued customers who use the small ads to mark an occasion or advertise their services.
For generations of students arriving in Galway, the classifieds were a rite of passage. Each August, as the city filled with new energy, queues would form outside the Advertiser offices — sometimes stretching to nearly a thousand people — all hoping to secure accommodation before term began. The early release of the small ads, offered for a nominal fee that supported local charities, became a tradition in itself. Standing in that queue was as much a part of starting college as attending the first lecture. Many still remember the address where they found their first home away from home, often traced back to a single line in the classifieds.
Those same pages have supported people through every stage of life. They have helped young couples furnish their first homes, connected homeowners with skilled tradespeople, and guided families as they searched for pets, services, or opportunities. In more reflective moments, they have also provided a space for remembrance, where anniversaries and months’ minds are marked with dignity and care — a testament to the trust placed in the Advertiser by its readers.
Enduring appeal
Even in an era dominated by digital platforms and social media, the enduring appeal of the classifieds remains clear. In recent years, there has been a noticeable resurgence in “Friendship” ads — simple, sincere notices that don’t promise love but leave the door open to it. It is a reminder that while technology evolves, the human need for connection does not.
The launch of the new online classified site represents the next chapter in this long story. Designed to make the process easier and more accessible, the platform allows users to place ads from the comfort of their phone or computer, choosing whether their listing appears online, in print, or both. It is a modern solution built on a deeply traditional foundation — one that recognises how people live today while preserving what has always made the classifieds special.
For Máire McCarthy, CEO of the Galway Advertiser, this development carries particular significance. Her own journey with the organisation began in the very department now being reimagined for a digital age.
“My very first job when I started in the Galway Advertiser 30 years ago was in the classified/customer service department,” she says. That early experience shaped her understanding of what the classifieds truly represent.
“I enjoyed every part of the job in classifieds, from working with a great team of hard-working people who provide top class customer service, to dealing with the Galway public,” she explains. “When my Dad and Mam bought their first house, all the furniture they bought was sourced through the Advertiser. If you needed a plumber, carpenter, tiler, all you had to do was read the classifieds section — and the same remains true to this day.”
That enduring relevance is backed by strong public trust. “Recent independent research shows that when the people of Galway city and county are looking to buy or sell or engage with a service, 92% of people choose the Galway Advertiser for their classified needs,” Ms McCarthy notes.
She draws a vivid comparison to capture the scale and inclusivity of the platform: “The Galway Advertiser classified section is like the Metro in London — it is used by people from all walks of life. People who are looking to buy their dream car, looking for accommodation, find love or friendship, search for a product or service, or people who would like to honour and remember their loved ones.”
Reflecting community
At its core, she believes, the classifieds reflect the community itself. “Our classified customers are a reflection of Galway life and Galway people and it is a pleasure to be able to provide them with a place to do business.”
The new website is a continuation of that commitment. “We are continuing to invest in our customers and the services we provide by launching this new improved classified website, which was developed with our customers in mind, for a better online experience,” she says.
More importantly, the move online does not replace the newspaper — it enhances it. Users can choose the format that suits them best, ensuring that the connection between print and readership remains intact while embracing new ways of engaging.
Looking ahead, Ms McCarthy is clear about the broader vision. “Our aim as a team over the coming years is to ensure that the Galway Advertiser remains at the centre of Galway life, connecting people, businesses and communities across Galway for many years to come.”
In many ways, the new platform is simply the latest expression of something that has always been true. Whether printed on paper or posted online, the small ads continue to do what they have always done: bring people together, open possibilities, and help shape the Galway experience — one line at a time.
