Gaire to Close Down After 21 Years

JupiterKid

It is with a very heavy heart that I have to be the bearer of sad tidings - Gaire, the biggest LGBT web resource and message board in Ireland, is to close at the end of next month after being in operation for 21 years by Thomas, a wonderful webmaster.

I have been a regular poster on the Gaire message boards - and later a mod and then admin - since April 2004, that is over 17 years. Over those years I made good friends on Gaire that I will keep in contact for a very long time to come.

Gaire opened the world of online message boards and discussion forums to me, and I joined boards at the end of the same year. Gaire will be badly missed but the message boards had gotten very quiet in the past 7 years or so.

I know that a few boardsies are/were posters on Gaire also, so does anyone else have any fond or funny memories to share of Gaire?

Edgarfrndly

Sorry to hear. I've seen a lot of message boards close over the past 10 years due to the popularity of reddit. Webforums are becoming increasingly more scarce. Perhaps the owner of the domain could pass it onto you and you could keep it running?

spurious

I vaguely remember a meet in Galway about 2003.

Irish Praetorian

I certainly remember interacting with it a bit in previous years.

Still, maybe we could try and make some good of the situation by welcoming much of the community as we can over here to boards?

One thing that always struck me about the site with that it had good levels of activity going on, even if it was just passing the time or chit chat.
A bit of that around here might not be the worst thing in the world.

Ten of Swords

That's a real shame, sorry to hear that

I think many of the long term members of Gaire pop by here occasionally, either as members or lurkers but of course they're welcome here

I haven't been on Gaire in many years, I had an account before I joined boards.

Maz2016

Ten of Swords wrote: »

That's a real shame, sorry to hear that

I think many of the long term members of Gaire pop by here occasionally, either as members or lurkers but of course they're welcome here

I haven't been on Gaire in many years, I had an account before I joined boards.

I hadn’t heard of Gaire but looking at it, it’s something I would have loved. Such a pity. I do like the forum here on boards but it’s often very quiet

ongarboy

Gosh I completely forgot about Gaire and have definitely not even visited it in 10 or maybe even 15 years. I'd have thought it retired years ago as I'd never even come across it even accidentally in all that subsequent time. I guess people's online consumption patterns change over the years as other sites and apps take over. Some would say Boards peak years were back in the 00s too.

My most important memory of Gaire is going on a blind date back in 2003 with a guy via its site. There was no romantic chemistry from that date but we hit it off in every other way and became the very best of friends and still are to this day. For that I am very grateful to the existence of Gaire. Thank you to all that ran its site. It was a valuable tool to many of us.

apache

I was on Gaire for a number of years and have some fond memories.

I wish Thomas and gang all the best.

Annasopra

Very sad to see it go

At its height Gaire was an amazing place; so full of warmth, community and laughter and regular meet ups; pubs, restaurants, prides, house parties and groups away

I don't mean any disrespect to the lads who run/ran Gaire here, but I mean isn't it an obsolete business model by now? 21 years ago yes, I was well and truly grateful that such a thing existed in Catholic Ireland, but honestly I haven't even heard the name in God knows how long. Partially my own fault I grant you, but still, if they're not progressing or evolving then sure I won't even notice they're gone.

Sorry to say it and all, but sure that's just the way it goes.

Annasopra

Gaire was an amazing place about 10/15 years ago. Its a huge loss really.

wolfordsheer

Also sorry to hear the sad news Gaire is closing down. I myself will miss this site as a crossdresser, it really was a fun & safe platform to meet & chat to people here in Ireland. Q does anyone here know any other “good & safe” Irish site similar to Gaire ?

marco7001

I was also sad Gaire closed down. I met a very good friend on there (Brendan) and now have lost touch with him😪 if he reads boards.ie can he leave a message thanks.

Jildi

I myself was sad Gaire closed down. If anyone(crossdressers) reading wishes to say hello, please contact me. jildijow@outlook.com

I really miss lots of people l met through gaire.ie

Jildi

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117848525#Comment_117848525

Truthfully, l don't think there is one. Jil.

BlueAndWh1te

Unfortunately the demand for message boards in general has gone down with the growth of social media. I never got to experience gaire but from the sounds of it, the site would have probably had a positive impact on me as a young person

ghostfacekilla

Sad. It greatly helped me on the journey of acceptance. Thanks to everyone involved behind the scenes. Had a phenomenal fling as a result of one of the pub meets also. The memories.

barbrenn

Met my beautiful boyfriend on this site a few years ago, lots of happy memories here