Loss of Crosshaven Post Office will be a 'devastating' blow for the village

The closure of Crosshaven Post Office, which is planned for the end of next week, has been described as “devastating” for the village.

A statement from An Post, issued yesterday, said Crosshaven Post Office will close on Friday, May 30.

“From that date, post office services will be provided at Carrigaline post office which is situated in the Supervalu Shopping Centre there,” read the statement.

An Post said the closure had been prompted by the resignation of the outgoing postmaster, and that despite advertising the vacant contract, it had not received any expressions of interest.

Disappointing

Séamus McGrath, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South Central, said it was very disappointing news and would be a huge loss to the Crosshaven community.

“I know the current proprietor worked hard to keep the post office open in recent years, and I thank her for her service,” Mr McGrath said.

“Even at this stage, I would encourage An Post to keep all avenues open for the possibility of keeping a post office in Crosshaven for the future.”

Fine Gael councillor Úna McCarthy said that in rural and coastal communities such as Crosshaven, the post office was more than just a place to post letters, offering a vital hub for services and social connection, particularly for older residents and those without access to transport or digital services.

Unfair

“It’s simply unfair that people are now expected to travel to Carrigaline to access these basic services,” she said.

“While efforts were made last year to keep the post office open, sadly they were not successful.

“The Government must do more to ensure that post offices in towns and villages like Crosshaven remain viable and continue to serve the needs of local communities.”

Devastating

Eoghan Fahy, local Sinn Féin councillor, said the loss of the post office would be “devastating to the people who use the post office on a regular basis”.

“It’s going to be a huge loss to people in Crosshaven, and it’s going to be a fair distance for people who might have been able to walk to the post office and who now will have to get the bus in to Carrigaline,” he said.

Fianna Fáil councillor Audrey Buckley said the Government needed to do more to support local post offices.

“It’s a very sad day for Crosshaven, especially for the older people who would use the post office and for whom it would always be a great place to call in for a chat, that’s really going to be a loss that’s most keenly felt, it can be like a day out when people call in for their pensions and social protection,” she said.