Douglas postmaster Tom Scally is named as Ireland’s best

Cork-based postmaster Tom Scally of Douglas Post Office has been named Postmaster of the Year 2026 at the An Post Postmaster awards.

Mr Scally, who has been postmaster in Douglas since August 2018, also collected an award for operational standards at what was the inaugural postmaster awards event at An Post’s Dublin HQ this week.

Mr Scally also serves as postmaster at Blackpool and Macroom post offices.

Among the initiatives highlighted by the judges were the introduction of a streamlined system to manage growing Vinted parcel volumes efficiently; improved parcel organisation and collections; and the high presentation standards in the modern, fully accessible office. The office also performed strongly across key commercial targets including transaction growth, banking and Christmas sales.

Tom was presented with his award by An Post CEO Fergal Leamy, who congratulated all the finalists for their achievements.

“One thing that I’ve had the privilege of doing over the last number of weeks is getting out and about and visiting a lot of the post offices,” said Mr Leamy.

“What’s really struck me is the enormous amount of things that are done in the post office and the role that you play in the community. The operational prowess of people behind the counter is extraordinary.

“I have nothing but growing admiration for what post offices do and the role in the community that you play.”

Other winners at the awards were Linda Kennedy of Ferrybank Post Office, who won the community focus 2026 award, and Padraig Glancy of Carrick-on-Shannon Post Office, who was named overall winner for commercial growth 2026.

Retail director Brendan Moran said the stories behind this year’s winners really demonstrate the dedication, innovation and community spirit that exist right across the Post Office network.

There were also presentations to seven postmasters across Ireland to mark their long service in the role.