Lost.ie
Lost
Helping reunite Ireland since 2007

How Lost.ie reunites people with what matters

A simple, community-powered way to report lost items and return found ones, with built-in safety, alerts, and matching.

30,000+
Items reunited since 2007
412
Recovered this month
3.4 days
Average time to reunion
I lost something I found something

Two paths, one goal

Pick the side that matches you. Each takes about a minute to start.

If you lost something

3 steps to reunion

  1. 1

    Create a detailed listing

    Post your lost item with photos, the location and time you lost it, and any unique markings. The more detail, the higher the match rate.

    • Multiple photos from different angles
    • Exact location and time
    • Unique markings or engravings
  2. 2

    Our community searches for you

    Your listing reaches 400,000+ users across Ireland. We auto-alert anyone nearby who posted a matching found item.

    • Indexed within minutes
    • AI-matched to opposite listings
    • Email and push alerts
  3. 3

    Connect and arrange pickup

    When someone contacts you, chat through our secure in-app messaging, verify the match, and arrange a safe handover.

    • In-app messaging with no contact details shared
    • Verify with a withheld detail
    • Meet in a public place
“Found my dog's collar in 2 days. The match alert was magic.”
— Aoife, Cork
Report a lost item Browse lost listings

If you found something

3 steps to reunion

  1. 1

    Search before you post

    Check our existing lost listings first. There is a good chance someone is already searching for the item you found.

    • Search by item type, brand, and colour
    • Filter by county and date
    • Save a search to get alerts
  2. 2

    Post what you found and withhold one detail

    Create a found listing with photos, but keep one identifying detail private. Only the true owner will know it.

    • Do not show ID cards or phone contacts
    • Withhold an engraving or contents
    • Pick the right category
  3. 3

    Verify and return safely

    Ask any claimant to describe the detail you withheld. When it matches, arrange a handover in a busy, public location.

    • Verify the secret detail first
    • Bring a friend if possible
    • Choose daytime, public meeting spots
“Returned a wallet to its owner the same evening I posted it.”
— Daire, Galway
Post what you found Search for the owner

What happens after you post

You are not just shouting into the void. Here is the timeline.

  1. 1 Now

    Listing goes live

    Indexed and visible across the site within seconds.

  2. 2 Within minutes

    Alerts sent

    Anyone with a potentially matching listing gets notified.

  3. 3 Ongoing

    Future matches

    We auto-check every new listing and notify you if it matches yours.

Safety first

Stay safe when meeting up

A handful of simple rules that keep our community safe.

  • Meet in public

    Always arrange handovers in busy, public, daytime locations.

  • Never send money

    Genuine owners and finders never ask for payment to release an item.

  • Bring a friend

    Where possible, bring someone with you to the meet.

  • Use in-app messaging

    Do not share your phone number or email until you have verified the match.

  • Withhold one detail

    When posting a found item, keep one identifying detail private.

  • Trust your instincts

    If something feels off, walk away and report the user to our team.

Get items home before you have even posted

Recovery Tags are scannable QR stickers for keys, bags, pets, and tech. A finder taps their phone and you get a message instantly.

Explore Recovery Tags

Frequently asked questions

Everything we get asked the most, with straight answers.

How much does it cost to post a listing?

Posting a lost or found listing is completely free. Optional Boost upgrades (€4 / €6) move your listing to the top and send AI-powered match alerts — but the standard listing reaches our full Ireland community at no charge.

How long does my listing stay live?

Listings stay live for 90 days by default. You can extend, edit, or remove them at any time from the listing page.

What happens if no one contacts me?

We automatically notify users when a similar item is posted in the opposite category (lost ↔ found) within 25 km. If nothing turns up in the first 7 days, we'll prompt you with tips to widen your reach (more photos, broader location, Boost).

How do I know a claimant is genuine?

When you post a found item, withhold one identifying detail (engraving, scratch, contents). Anyone claiming the item must describe that detail before you arrange a handover. Always meet in a public place.

Is my contact information shared?

No. All conversations happen through Lost.ie's in-app messaging. Your email and phone number are never shown to other users.

What's the refund policy on Boosts?

If your item is recovered within 48 hours of a Boost purchase, contact support and we'll refund it in full. Boosts are one-time payments — no subscriptions or auto-renewal.

Do you contact the Gardaí?

Lost.ie is a community platform — we don't contact authorities on your behalf. For valuable items (passports, wallets, electronics) we recommend filing a report with your local Garda station as well.

412 items reunited this month

Ready to find what you are looking for?

Whichever side you are on, your post takes about a minute and reaches the entire Lost.ie community.

Report a lost item Browse found items