Independent News & Media PLC is a market-leading media company in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The Group is headquartered in Dublin, Ireland and its shares are listed on the Irish and London stock exchanges.
The company was formed as Independent Newspapers Limited in 1904 by William Martin Murphy, the publisher of the Irish Independent. The Irish Independent was the direct successor to the Daily Irish Independent, a newspaper that originated in the 1890’s.
In 1924, the traditional nationalist newspaper, the Freeman’s Journal, merged with the Irish Independent, and until 1986 the paper's masthead contained the words "incorporating the Freeman's Journal". Over the following decades the Company expanded into regional press acquiring the Drogheda Independent, the Wexford People series of titles, The Corkman, The Kerryman and The Sligo Champion.
In 1973 (Sir) Anthony O’Reilly acquired a significant shareholding in Independent Newspapers, and the company was floated on the Irish Stock Exchange and London Stock Exchange. The Group then expanded internationally with significant investments in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. In 1999, the company name was changed to Independent News & Media PLC.
In late 2004, INM moved from its traditional home in Middle Abbey Street to "Independent House" in Talbot Street, with the printing facilities having already relocated to Citywest in west Dublin. In 2006 Denis O’Brien acquired an interest in INM and by 2012 had become its largest shareholder, a position he retains today.
In recent years INM divested its overseas publishing operations in order to build a new portfolio of businesses to grow and diversify the group’s activities (see “About Us”)