Maugherow ‘happening’
HUNDREDS of people gathered at Dunleavy’s Corner Shop in Maugherow last Sunday to protest the lack of a post office in the area since Ballinfull post office closed last month.
What local writer Brian Leyden called ‘ The Happening’ saw people from all ages come to show their support for the campaign.
Local woman Bridie Durkin, who turns 100 years next February, brought a letter to the protest and asking: “Where am I going to post my letters now?”
There were even appearances from some local historical figures such as W.B. Yeats, Countess Markievicz and Lady Gregory.
The demonstration was organised in front of Dunleavy’s as it is seen as a possible location for a future postal service, if An Post re-advertise the contract for the area.
Chair of the campaign Orna McSweeney, addressed the crowd at the event to stress the importance of retaining the service.
Over 700 personal submissions in opposition to the closure have been received by the committee. Sinn Féin Councillor Thomas Healy said the event was “an unprecedented coming together of a local community to save a local service.” “This event follows on from local public meetings, rallies in Sligo, a national rally in Dublin and the adoption of a Sinn Féin motion in the Dáil calling for a halt to post office closures,” stated Cllr Healy. “At this stage we have identified a viable system for keeping post offices open and expanding their roles to make them central to their communities,” he said.