How the Dublin Inquirer started

Lois Kapila and her husband, Sam Tranum, both seasoned journalists, relocated to Dublin in 2013. Encountering challenges breaking into the established Irish media landscape as foreigners, Lois took matters into her own hands and developed the idea of a locally funded online medium for Dubliners. Drawing inspiration from innovative newsrooms like the Texas Tribune, with which she had become familiar during her work in the U.S., she recognized the potential of introducing a community-focused model to the local news market.

Following a year of meticulous planning, learning from other media entrepreneurs, and completing a local enterprise course, Lois launched the Dublin Inquirer.

For the initial five years, Lois did not draw a salary, while her husband, Sam, maintained full-time employment elsewhere but also contributed voluntary work to the Inquirer. Sam's employment served as the couple's financial backbone, enabling Lois to concentrate on establishing the organisation. To kickstart the journalistic endeavours, Lois secured funding by borrowing money from family members and taking out a loan, which facilitated the hiring of two junior reporters.

Despite attending the enterprise course and engaging in networking activities, the Dublin Inquirer did not receive any structural support.