End of an era as Mayo village post office set to close

Geesala Post Office in North Mayo is to close at the end of the month.

The post office in the Erris village will shut its doors later this month. The post office will close permanently after An Post failed to find a replacement for the outgoing postmaster.

“We worked hard to find another contractor to provide post office services in Geesala. We advertised the vacant contract a number of times and canvassed business in the general area but to no avail. It is with regret therefore that we announce that the post office will now close on June 28,” said An Post in a statement.

“Arrangements are in place to enable customers to access services at other post offices in the area including Bangor Erris, Bunnahowen, and Belmullet. Department of Social Protection payments will be available via Bangor Erris Post Office.”

Local Fine Gael councillor Gerry Coyle expressed disappointment at the loss of the service, which has been part of the village for over a century.

“It is so sad to lose a post office that has been there for generations.

“Doohoma closed as well some years ago which now leaves the whole area without a post office,” he added.

He said Doohoma residents now face a 20km trip to Bangor or a 21km journey to Glencastle for their nearest post office.

Cllr Coyle said the closure was “nobody’s fault” but encouraged people to use their local post offices more often while they are still in place.

Outgoing postmaster Pat Gannon has strong family ties to the post office in Geesala. The Foxford man’s great grandmother Maria Collins was postmistress there more than 100 years ago. She was jailed for being a member of Cumann na mBan but reinstated as postmistress when the Anglo-Irish Treaty was signed.

Her daughter, Pat’s grandmother (Moira Cosgrove), succeeded her as postmistress where Eileen Henry worked alongside her and eventually took over the role from Moira.

Eileen’s son Michael then took on the task and manned the post office for 38 years without ever missing a day’s work. Pat’s mother Mary also worked as postmistress in Foxford for 40 years, and Pat continues to operate the post office in Foxford.