Historic Cork post office closes its doors as service moves to nearby store

A post office building in Kinsale that dates back to the 1660s has closed.

The post office, on Pearse St in the coastal Cork town, completed its final day on Tuesday. Postmaster John Hanley retired after a three-decades-long career.

Speaking to The Echo, a spokesperson for Smith’s of Kinsale, who will operate the new post office in the town, said that all Pearse St employees will transfer to the new premises, and with jobs also to be created as a result of the move.

“We are really pleased to be continuing the legacy of the post office in Kinsale and are looking forward to seeing what the new venture brings,” the spokesperson said.

While the closure of the old Kinsale building marks the 35th post office in Cork to cease operations in the last 10 years, all postal services will continue in the town via a new set-up in nearby Smith's Centra.

“Post offices are an essential element of the community, and we are happy to be providing this service for the local area," said a spokesperson for Smith's of Kinsale.

A representative of An Post said the organisation “hails a new chapter of post office history in Kinsale" with the opening of the new facility and looks forward to "the prospect of a new future for the towns former post office premises”.

"Yesterday, customers in Kinsale were getting used to doing their business in a brand-new post office just 50 metres away from the older building, which has served as the towns post office for generations,” the spokesperson said.

“The new office will have postmaster Graham Smith at the helm. An Post also say goodbye to outgoing postmaster John Hanley after decades of service to the people of Cork, including time in Cobh and the last 24 years looking after customers in Kinsale.

"The people of Kinsale have been well served by John and we all wish him well in the next chapter of his life. The sterling duty he provided and his popularity among colleagues and customers were hallmarks of his time behind the counter,” he added.

“We also look forward to the next chapters of An Post’s story in Kinsale, welcoming customers old and new to the modern Kinsale Post Office.” 

An official launch event will take place at the new post office premises on April 10 from 10am, with members of the public invited to attend.