The last post office on the Fánaid peninsula in Co Donegal is facing closure.
The Baile Láir PO has been run by the McElwaine family since 1872.
The current owners, Wendy and Rónan McElwaine, say that it is not feasible for them to continue the business under the current circumstances.
They also run a grocery shop as part of the post office.
Local people are dismayed that they will now have to travel some 15km to Kerrykeel or Carraig Airt for their postal services.
Local schoolteacher Gráinne Uí Dhubhthaigh said the people are heartbroken and sad that their only remaining post office will more than likely close.
“People and business in the area depend on the post office. The heart is being pulled out of the area.
“If you get the Local Link bus to Kerrykeel some 20kms away, you will have to wait another 2 hours to return.”
Local farmer, Dónal Ó Siadhail, remembers the time when he delivered milk to 17 shops in the Fánaid area – including the McElwaines’ shop in Baile Láir.
“Now there are only two or three shops in the peninsula. It is the end of an era, without a doubt,” he says.
“Everything is closing down “
Gráinne Nic Suibhne works in the Fánaid Lighthouse, or Teach Solais Fhánada – one of the northwest’s busiest tourist attractions.
“The Lighthouse really relies on the local Baile Láir PO, because we come here every day to send packages – gifts and merchandise that tourists have ordered.
“Now we will have to bring all that to Kerrykeel to send”
In a statement from An Post, they say that the Postmaster in Ballylar is exiting the business.
“Ballylar like most post offices in run by a Postmaster – an independent contractor who provides post office services for the people of that part of the Fanad peninsula.
“An Post has been trying to find an alternative contractor to provide post office services here. We have been actively seeking a new business partner to take on the vacant contract, advertising the vacancy and canvassing local business.
“No applications have been received to date, and we are in the process of advertising the vacant contract position a second time.
“We are facing the very real prospect of the post office closing in the coming months. It is looking like that closure will take place in October and we will transfer customers to Kerrykeel post office which is some 14km away.
“The closure, if it happens, is much regretted by An Post but right now we will continue trying to find a new contractor.
“It is not the case, as cited in local media that some action of An Post cased the current situation. Postmasters generate their income on the basis of transactions carried out with customers to the office. Their income is fixed to that level of transactions.”
