IT is the end of one era – and the beginning of another – in Kilkee with the moving of the coastal town’s post office to brand new location.
On Friday, Margaret Keane will retire as post mistress in Kilkee, having worked there for over 50 years, and the town’s stand-alone post office on O’Connell Street will come to a close.
However, the postal service is set to continue in the popular seaside resort, moving to another long standing institution of the town, Haugh’s shop on O’Curry Street.
The new post office will open its doors in Haugh’s on Tuesday with preparations now being finalised for the unveiling next week.
Carmel Muldoon of Haugh’s explained that the retirement of Mrs Keane meant that the operation of the postal service in Kilkee went up for tender, and Haugh’s were delighted to be successful in their application.
She stressed the importance of services like the post office to local communities saying, “With everything that is going on right now, the services that the post office offers are just vital for West Clare, it’s an essential service and is a real hub of the community.”
Bank of Ireland customers will also be able to use the new post office for their regular banking needs as part of a new partnership announced by An Post recently.
This comes following the announcement that the bank will be closing its Kilkee branch, along with branches in Tulla and Miltown Malbay from the end of September.
As well as ensuring that the postal and banking service is maintained in the town, Haugh’s are also hopeful that this new venture will bring additional footfall to the store which has become part of the very fabric of Kilkee.
Haugh’s was established in Kilkee by Carmel’s father in the 1960s and is now run by her sister Marion McCarthy. Carmel will be in charge of the new post office. She is no stranger to retail, having been previously involved with the Irish House newsagents, and she is looking forward to continuing to serve the people of Kilkee in this new role.
“We are part of a long tradition of retailers in Kilkee, I’ve lived and raised my family here and everybody knows me. That’s the thing with the post office is it’s about giving that personal service, having that familiar face and that personal touch in the community.
“We’re looking forward to welcoming people to this new phase in Haugh’s which has been serving the people of Kilkee for 60 years.”