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The Irish Sun

‘It's the end of an era' – Major blow as the only post office in one of Ireland's most scenic spots is set to close

A MAJOR blow is on the way for hundreds of locals as the only post office in one of Ireland's most scenic spots is set to close. The last post office on the Fánaid peninsula in Advertisement 2 Baile Láir Post Office is at risk of closing due to rising costs Credit: RTE 2 The spot is located on Donegal's scenic Fánaid peninsula Credit: RTE Situated on the edge of the northwest coast, Fánaid is a remote stretch of land known for its rugged beauty, golden Baile Láir Post Office has served this tight-knit Gaeltacht community since 1872, operated by the McElwaine Running the post office and attached grocery shop, Wendy and Ronan McElwaine say they can no longer keep it going under the current financial pressures. And after 150 years, the Advertisement READ MORE IN MONEY The area's population has declined over the decades, and the owners said the footfall isn't enough to cover the cost of running the post office year-round. Residents are now faced with a 15km journey to Kerrykeel or Carraig Airt for basic postal services. Local schoolteacher Gráinne Uí Dhubhthaigh told RTÉ that the community is heartbroken, calling the likely closure a huge loss to the area. And with Advertisement MOST READ IN MONEY She said: 'People and business in the area depend on the post office. The heart is being pulled out of the area. "If you get the Local Link bus to Kerrykeel some 20kms away, you will have to wait another 2 hours to return." Celebrity chef closes down seaside restaurant after 16 years Farmer Dónal Ó Siadhail told RTE that Fánaid once had 17 shops and a bustling local economy - a time when his milk rounds included a stop at the McElwaines'. He said: 'Now there are only two or three shops in the peninsula. It is the end of an era, without a doubt. Advertisement "Everything is closing down" Tourism has become more important to Fánaid in recent years, with the local lighthouse drawing thousands of visitors each Grínne Nic Suibhne, who works at the lighthouse, said they depended on the post office to send off visitor packages and merchandise. She said: "Now we will have to bring all that to Kerrykeel to send" Advertisement 'VERY REAL PROSPECT' They said: "Ballylar like most post offices in run by a Postmaster - an independent contractor who provides post office services for the people of that part of the Fanad peninsula. "An Post has been trying to find an alternative contractor to provide post office services here. We have been actively seeking a new business partner to take on the vacant contract, advertising the vacancy and canvassing local business. "No applications have been received to date, and we are in the process of advertising the vacant contract position a second time. Advertisement "We are facing the very real prospect of the post office closing in the coming months. "It is looking like that closure will take place in October and we will transfer customers to Kerrykeel post office which is some 14km away. "The closure, if it happens, is much regretted by An Post but right now we will continue trying to find a new contractor.' "It is not the case, as cited in local media that some action of An Post cased the current situation. Advertisement "Postmasters generate their income on the basis of transactions carried out with customers to the office. Their income is fixed to that level of transactions."