A post office in one of Kerry’s busiest tourist towns has been saved from the threat of closure by the appointment of a new postmaster.
The contract to run Dingle Post Office has been awarded to Niall Kelleher, a native of Rathmore and now living in Killarney, who already operates a busy post office business at Fair Hill, Killarney.
He takes up the Dingle role from July 1st and the PO is based at Fitzgerald’s HomeValue Store on Main Street.
The previous operator, Eileen Fitzgerald, had tendered her resignation to An Post and the contract was advertised on two occasions before An Post approached Mr Kelleher.
The previous occupant agreed with An Post to a short transition period to facilitate the successful applicant with the existing premises should they wish to avail of same.
Niall Kelleher comes from a family that is steeped in the business of running a post office as his mother, Julie, has been the postmistress in both Rathmore and Millstreet since 2015.
He opened the post office branch at Fair Hill, Killarney in March 2023 and it has been a big hit with customers, offering a very important and accessible service to a huge population on the eastern side of Killarney.
The new Dingle Postmaster, who has been a member of Kerry County Council since 2014, said the post office has a vital role to play, particularly in rural communities.
“It is a significant responsibility to operate a post office but, very often, it is one of the last commercial lights remaining switched on in many communities,” he said.
“Dingle is a thriving, attractive place where the population multiplies dramatically in the summer months and a town of such stature and importance most certainly deserves its own post office,” he added.
The post office, which will open Monday to Friday from 9.00am to 5.00pm and from 9.00am to 1.00pm on Saturdays, has been located at the rear of Fitzgerald’s HomeValue Store since 2007.
It is understood that the post office is likely to move to a new location in a number of months.
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