Special celebration day for Bonniconlon Post Office this week
An action group in Bonniconlon is holding a special celebration day for its local post office this week aimed at increasing its viability and thus ensuring it remains open for the foreseeable future.
The Bonniconlon Post Office action group was set up with the intention of promoting further use of the north Mayo village's post office after it faced the threat of closure late last year when its postmaster stepped down.
The post office had a proud history of unbroken service dating back over 160 years to 1866 which almost came to an end before a plan of action was devised by local residents at a community meeting facilitated by local councillors.
An agreement was reached with the proprietor of the Bonniconlon Gala Shop in which the post office is located to continue its franchise for another year.
The viability of the post office is to be assessed again towards the end of this year and the action group quickly set up a promotional campaign to increase transaction numbers to make the post office viable again.
This included printing and distributing flyers outlining the services available in the post office, which were distributed to households in the Bonniconlon parish, Attymass and the surrounding area, while posters were also displayed in shops and businesses.
Four large signs can be seen on all the approach roads to the village highlighting the campaign.
"Because of the work of the action group, some 600 plus households are now aware of all the post office services available on their doorstep," said Kay Devine from the action group.
"With the support of the community, efforts will continue to ensure the security of the post office in Bonniconlon for the next 160 years."
She said the services on offer in the local post office include banking, postal and money orders, currency card services, registered post, licences, bill payments, passport services and more.
This Wednesday, May 29, a celebration day will be held in Gala from 1.30pm to 4pm with some light refreshments.
An exhibition of all 80 plus paintings created by the local children at the Embrace Farm Family Charity Day will be on display and prizes of Post Office saving stamps be presented to the winners.
