A ‘temporary closure’ coming after Cork lost a number of facilities last year
10:47, 16 Jan 2026Updated 11:05, 16 Jan 2026
The Durrus Post Office(Image: )
A post office in a rural West Cork village has closed its doors just days after a major funding boost was announced to support the An Post network.
The Durrus post office has been closed “on a temporary basis” after the state-owned service was unable to find someone to fill the facility’s vacant contract. A spokesperson for An Post said that they are eager to reopen the location and will continue to search for anyone willing to take over the premises.
The loss of the village’s facility will be a big blow to locals, as it was one of only two post offices on the Sheeps Head Peninsula. Customers at the Durrus Post Office will be automatically transferred to Bantry – the nearest alternative location and a 10-minute drive away. They will also have the option of choosing other offices in the area, such as Ballydehob, Kilcrohane or Schull. A spokesperson for An Post said they “regret the inconvenience caused to our Durrus customers and for all along the Sheeps Head peninsula.”
This news comes after Cork saw a spate of post office closures last year, including in Little Island, Glounthaune, Crosshaven and Doneraile. The sorting facility in Carrigaline, which is where postal staff receive mail for delivery routes, also closed in September 2025. Figures show Cork had the most post office closures nationwide over the past decade, leading to fears of more potential shutdowns coming in 2026.
The worst impacts may be prevented however by a new €75m package, unveiled by government this week, to help prevent further closures. The funds will be paid out at €15m a year to An Post between 2026-2030, and aim to:
maintaining network access across urban and rural Irelandaligning funding with criteria including the degree of isolation and the sustainability of each post office;ensuring a minimum revenue threshold for post offices; andrecognising offices of cultural or geographic significance – such as those on inhabited islands or in Gaeltacht areas.
The funding comes after postmasters warned last year that Ireland could lose as many as 40% of its offices without further support.