THE feared imminent closure of a vital Gaeltacht post office has led to urgent appeals in the Dail for the Government to save its services.
In recent weeks, the Donegal News reported that An Post has no replacement for Annagry’s outgoing postmistress Breid McCole, who retires on July 31.
Businesses have warned of disruption to the local economy and community members have launched a petition to highlight the problems that have also hit other Gaeltacht areas like Brinlack, Bunbeg, Dunlewey, Gortahork, and Meenlaragh.
Donegal TD Pearse Doherty has now raised the matter and challenged postal services minister Charlie McConalogue: “Do not allow the post office in Anagaire to close down.”
Pearse Doherty speaking previously in the Dáil. Image: Oireachtas TV.
Deputy Doherty said in the Dail: “In Bun na Leaca, Mín Lárach, Gort an Choirce, Dún Lúiche, An Bun Beag, we have seen all of those post offices close within the last number of years.
“We cannot allow the same thing to happen in relation to Anagaire. Over 200 transactions go through every single day in that post office.
“Some 60 businesses are depending on the services of that post office.”
Deputy Doherty addressed fellow Donegal deputy McConalogue, who is the Government’s Minister of State at the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, with Special Responsibility for Sport and Postal Policy.
They were discussing the Government’s Postal and Telecommunications Services (Amendment) Bill 2026 that could provide An Post with €15 million a year extra until 2030 to protect the post office network.
Deputy Doherty told Minister McConalogue: “Many people in my own community and your own constituency of Donegal, will hear your words.
“You talked about how this investment will sustain the post office network across the State, how it will particularly support rural and Gaeltacht post office networks.
“At the same time, as you will know, in Anagaire, the locals have come together to fight to try and save their local post office.
“It is about to close down in the coming days as the postmistress retires on the 31st of July with nobody to take their position.
“The challenge when somebody looks at the books in a rural Gaeltacht community, is to say: ‘Is that a viable opportunity for me?’
“Unfortunately, in many instances, they find that the answer is, ‘No’. We’ve seen this script run out time and time again.”
He added: “You need to intervene to make sure there is appropriate support to allow for rural and Gaeltacht post offices to not only continue but to thrive into the future and adapt to the changes that are happening all around us.
“Look at your own constituency and do not allow the post office in Anagaire to close down.”
Annagry postmistress Breid McCole.
Local Annagry businesses like Sharkey’s Bar, Donegal Pens, and McDevitt Oil appealed in the Donegal News for the post office not to close.
Rónán Mc Garvey of Donegal Pens warned: “No community can afford to lose such a vital service.”