Limerick community 'delighted' as popular post office officially re-opens

A CROWD gathered outside a popular post office considered the ‘life and soul’ of a Limerick village to witness its reopening after it had been closed two months ago.

The Shanagolden Post Office shut its doors on September 21, 2022, which caused anger and confusion in the local community.

At the time of the initial closure, a spokesperson for An Post said: "Our postmaster in Shanagolden wishes to exit the business and plans to close the office... Customers will be transferred, in the first instance, to Foynes post office which is just over 5km away."

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The post office reopening was due to a community coming together to protest the closure according to Joe Ryan, Secretary of the Shanagolden and District Community Council.

“The re-opening has been a great success. A great crowd turned up for the official opening and the community is delighted that it's back,” Mr Ryan said.

“A small village like Shanagolden needs a post office and we welcome it with open arms,” Mr Ryan added.

Local businesswoman, Sinéad Roche vocalised her interest in taking over the post office.

An agreement was reached and Ms Roche was installed as the postmistress.

“I have to say Minister Patrick O'Donovan met with Minister Hildegarde Naughton who is over An Post and those meetings were very successful,” Mr Ryan said.

Popular post office set to re-open in Limerick village

The post office will not be moving premises as Ms Roche owns the post office building.

“This is terrific news for old age pensioners and those receiving social welfare payments in the area,” Mr Ryan said.

“Post offices are not just about sending letters and parcels. They now have banking facilities. You can make lodgments, withdrawals and pay bills.

“This is a necessary facility for a small village such as Shanagolden,” Mr Ryan concluded.