This photo was taken in November 2014, shortly after Grand Theft Auto V was released for the PS4 and Xbox One.
GameStop was situated at 14 South Main Street in Wexford.
In March 2023, the video game retailer announced that it was closing all of its 35 stores in Ireland. The decision was made after the Irish arm of the company continued to rack up losses. In the year leading up to the closures, it registered a loss of over €5 million.
The stores closed their doors for the last time on June 24th, 2003.
For many in Wexford, GameStop was the go-to place for video games and consoles. It was also one of the few stores where you could line up for a midnight release. I still remember queuing outside the shop in November 2010, eagerly waiting to get my hands on the latest Call of Duty release.
GameStop in May 2017. Credit: Google Maps.
I actually worked at the store for a short period during the 2000s, and I still remember how busy it got in the lead-up to Christmas. Those were chaotic times. Back then, it still had the original layout, and the counter was at the back of the store instead of in the middle.
Sadly, GameStop’s closure wasn’t completely surprising. In recent years, more and more gamers have opted to download video games instead of purchasing physical discs. Digital downloads are never out of stock, and you don’t need to drive into town and find parking to pick a game up.
Following its closure, the store remained vacant for a while before it was eventually leased by a clothing brand called Seasalt Cornwall.
Seasalt Cornwall in Wexford. May 2025.
