The founder of the Galway Advertiser newspaper, Ronnie O'Gorman, has died following an illness.
He established what was one of the country’s first 'free sheet’ papers in 1970.
Mr O’Gorman came up with the idea of an advertisement-supported publication after spending a number of years in Britain, while studying in the 1960s.
Following the success of the venture, sister publications followed in a number of other locations around the country.
He edited the paper until his retirement in 2001.
The Galway Advertiser continues to be published weekly and is delivered to thousands of homes around the city each Thursday.
Born in Salthill, Mr O’Gorman was a keen chronicler of life in the region over several decades.
He played a central role in the restoration of Yeats’ Tower, near Gort, and was involved in a number of repair efforts on the property, following repeated flooding events there.
His breadth of knowledge about life in the west was showcased more recently in a popular podcast, which he presented with fellow Galway historian Tom Kenny. The pair also collaborated on a series of books, detailing stories and characters from 'Old Galway'.
In 2022, he was conferred with an honorary Doctorate by the University of Galway, in recognition of his contribution to life in the city.
Mr O’Gorman is survived by four daughters, a son and several grandchildren.
He will be laid to rest, following a funeral service at St Nicholas’ Collegiate Church in Galway next Tuesday.
