20 Years of RIP.ie: A Journey of Connection and Community

For twenty years, we at RIP.ie have walked alongside families and communities during some of the hardest moments life brings. It has been a privilege, and it has shaped who we are as an organisation. As we reach this milestone, we wanted to mark it in a way that feels true to the heart of RIP.ie: remembrance, connection and community.

That is why we created the RIP.ie Remembers Walk, an invitation to walk 20 kilometres during March in memory of someone special.

How It All Began

RIP.ie started with a simple idea from siblings Jay and Dympna Coleman, rooted in everyday family life. In 2005, Dympna was living abroad, and like so many Irish people living away, she often rang home to find out who had died locally. There was no central place to check, no easy way to stay connected to the news that mattered most to her family.

That gap sparked an idea. What began as a practical solution quickly grew into something much bigger, becoming a trusted space where people could come together to pay respects, share condolences and honour loved ones.

By 2021, the site was receiving around 250,000 visits per day and more than 50 million page views per month. Those numbers reflect something deeper: a community that values connection and remembrance, and a place people turn to when they need it most.

A Changing Ireland, A Steady Presence

The COVID‑19 pandemic was one of the most significant periods in our history. With restrictions on funeral attendance, families turned to online condolences in unprecedented numbers. RIP.ie became a vital outlet for connection when physical gathering was impossible.

During this time, the Central Statistics Office used RIP.ie to help calculate excess mortality, recognising the platform’s unique role in documenting deaths across the country. It was a reminder of the responsibility we hold and the trust people place in us.

A New Chapter

In 2024, RIP.ie became part of The Irish Times Group, a step that ensures long‑term stability and continued investment in our mission. Since then, we have continued to evolve in ways that support families not only at the moment of loss but throughout the wider journey of grief.

We have introduced new grief support sections on the site, offering clear, compassionate guidance for people who may be navigating loss for the first time or returning to it after many years. These include articles written by experts in bereavement, psychology and end‑of‑life care, as well as practical pieces on topics like planning, coping and supporting others.

In January 2026, we launched our first podcast, Parting Words, which brings together voices from across Ireland to share stories, insights and reflections on grief, remembrance and the ways we stay connected to those we have lost.

Through all of this, we remain committed to the values that shaped RIP.ie from the beginning: compassion, clarity and community.

Marking 20 Years Through the RIP.ie Remembers Walk

As we approached our 20‑year milestone, we spent a lot of time thinking about how best to acknowledge it. We knew it needed to be meaningful and accessible, something that invited people to remember in their own way. Walking felt right. Walking gives us space to think, to breathe, to remember and to feel close to those we have lost.

The RIP.ie Remembers Walk invites people across Ireland and beyond to walk 20 kilometres during March, at their own pace and in their own time. There is no race and no pressure. It is simply an opportunity to honour someone special.

People can walk alone, with family or as part of a group. They can choose a place that holds meaning, whether that is a favourite beach, a quiet country road or a local park.

A Living Tribute

Every registrant who fundraises can dedicate one square foot of native Irish woodland in memory of their loved one. These trees will be planted in a remembrance woodland in Carlow, creating a lasting tribute rooted in Ireland’s natural landscape. Our partnership with the Native Woodland Trust ensures that each dedication becomes part of something living and enduring.

With Síle Seoige as Ambassador

We are honoured to have broadcaster and wellness advocate Síle Seoige leading the campaign. She brings warmth, empathy and a deep understanding of grief. She describes the walk as “a beautiful way to honour those we have lost while supporting others who are navigating their own journey through grief.” Her voice adds something special to this initiative.

How to Take Part

Registration is open at ripremembers.rip.ie.

Participants can:

• Walk 20km during March
• Dedicate their walk to someone they have lost
• Fundraise for a charity of their choice
• Create or join a group page
• Receive a personalised certificate
• Contribute to native woodland planting

A Collective Act of Remembrance

Twenty years on, RIP.ie remains a place where memories live, where communities gather and where love endures. The RIP.ie Remembers Walk is our way of honouring that legacy. It is an invitation to pause, to reflect and to walk in memory of those who shaped us.

Every step becomes a tribute. Every kilometre becomes a story. Together, we create a national movement of remembrance.