Gript, also known as Gript Media, is an Irish conservative news and opinion website established in 2019.
History
Gript was founded in 2019 by political commentator John McGuirk.[1][2] By 2021, Gript's weekly readership had grown to 120,000.[3] In 2025, according to national regulator Coimisiún na Meán, approximately 5% of Irish adults accessed Gript weekly.[4] It is a member of the Press Council of Ireland.[5]
The outlet is 50% owned by activist Niamh Uí Bhriain and 50% by Evelyn Porter.[6] Gript received initial funding from the Irish anti-abortion advocacy group The Life Institute, directed by Uí Bhriain, though McGuirk stated in 2021 that Gript no longer received funding from that group.[1][3]
In May 2026, Gript suspended McGuirk as editor pending an internal process concerning governance and related issues.[7] The suspension followed an alleged inappropriate relationship with a staff member he managed, in which he allegedly failed to disclose a conflict of interest, and a separate sexual harassment complaint.[8] According to Gript, McGuirk refused to engage with any internal investigation and resigned on 28 May 2026, ninety minutes before external investigations were due to commence.[9] In his resignation letter, McGuirk characterised the dispute as rooted in editorial differences, accusing Uí Bhriain of making him a "fall guy" for controversial content decisions; Gript rejected this framing and, in a statement released on its website on 28 May 2026, described the matter as solely an employment issue and that McGuirk had treated the process "with contempt from the start".[9]
Content
Generally categorized as having a conservative[6][10] or right-wing editorial line,[2][3] Gript has described its mission as creating a space to challenge what it characterizes as the "consensus views" expressed by "our schools, our universities, our media and our politicians".[1]The Irish Times has described it as "Ireland’s most prominent conservative media organisation" and "Ireland's answer to Fox News".[4]
The outlet publishes news, commentary, podcasts, and analysis with a focus on Irish politics and culture. Most content on the website is free, with some articles paywalled and accessible via subscription.[1]
In November 2023, it was reported that Gript had removed an article relating to the Parnell Square stabbing attack after the publication incorrectly identified a person unconnected to the incident.[11]
References
- 1234"Gript.ie". Media Ownership Monitor Ireland. 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
- 12"Gript.ie – Bias and Credibility". Media Bias/Fact Check. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- 123"Gript: 'We are closer to the mainstream than the extreme'". The Times. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
- 12Tighe, Mark (2026-05-29). "What's going on at Gript, Ireland's answer to Fox News?". The Irish Times. Retrieved 2026-05-30.
- ↑Kennedy, Pat (2023-06-19). "Member Publications". Press Council of Ireland. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
- 12Tighe, Mark (14 April 2026). "John McGuirk put on leave of absence from editor role at conservative website Gript Media". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- ↑"Gript Media confirms suspension of editor McGuirk". RTE.ie. 2026-05-08. Retrieved 2026-05-27.
- ↑Tighe, Mark (29 May 2026). "What's going on at Gript, Ireland's answer to Fox News?". Irish Times. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- 12"A statement from Gript Media on John McGuirk's resignation". Gript. 28 May 2026. Retrieved 29 May 2026.
- ↑Phelan, Shane; Tighe, Mark (15 November 2025). "Gript editor John McGuirk gets five-figure settlement over claim he was 'far right'". The Irish Independent. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- ↑Keena, Colm; Lally, Conor (30 November 2023). "Gript article that wrongly identified Parnell Square stabbing suspect is removed from site". The Irish Times. Retrieved 26 May 2026.
- 2019 establishments in Ireland
- Conservative websites
- Conservative mass media
- Internet properties established in 2019
- Conservatism in Ireland