The west coast arts and entertainment magazine, Magpie, is to close, with the loss of four full-time jobs, writes Lorna Siggins in Galway.
The monthly magazine, founded over three years ago. is to publish its final issue next month. The Galway Advertiser group says it is "incorporating" the monthly into an expanded edition of its weekly free newspaper.
However, Mr Peter Timmins, general manager of the magazine, told The Irish Times it was ceasing as a separate entity from November.
Talks are being held with the four full-time staff on severance details. Mr Timmins said the decision to close was based primarily on advertising levels.
Magpie was founded in June, 1998, as the west coast alternative to In Dublin. The Galway Advertiser intends to expand its listings section in its weekly publication, and this will coincide with a new county edition from January.
Its circulation peaked at 12,000, and figures for July were about 7,500, Mr Timmins said. The Galway Advertiser quotes its circulation at 48,000, and the county edition will involve an extra 13,000.