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<\/p>\nA ‘temporary closure’ coming after Cork lost a number of facilities last year<\/p>\n
10:47, 16 Jan 2026Updated 11:05, 16 Jan 2026<\/p>\n
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The Durrus Post Office(Image: )<\/p>\n
A post office in a rural West Cork<\/a> village has closed its doors just days after a major funding boost was announced to support the An Post network.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n 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.”<\/p>\n This news comes after Cork saw a spate of post office closures last year, including in Little Island, Glounthaune, Crosshaven and Doneraile<\/a>. The sorting facility in Carrigaline, which is where postal staff receive mail for delivery routes, also closed in September 2025.<\/a> Figures show Cork had the most post office closures<\/a> nationwide over the past decade, leading to fears of more potential shutdowns coming in 2026.<\/p>\n The worst impacts may be prevented however by a new \u20ac75m package, unveiled by government this week, to help prevent further closures. The funds will be paid out at \u20ac15m a year to An Post between 2026-2030, and aim to:<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n