It’s the end of an era in Ballinakill as the long-running Post Office will close its doors one last time this Saturday, June 30, at 1pm.
Aidan Kennedy took over the Post Office in Ballinakill on April 10, 1967, and since then he has seen many people go through its green doors.
He began running the Post Office following the death of his mother Jane. Prior to that, his aunt Julia – his father’s sister – had run it. Between them they’ve ran the Post Office right back almost to the foundation of the state. Initially the office was in his house in the village but they’ve been in their current premises since 1992.
Aidan’s son Declan spoke to us about his father’s retirement and the closure of Ballinakill’s post office.
“He’s sad but it’s also a bit of a relief – he’s 81 years old and ideally he needs to slow down now. He has lung fibrosis and only for that he would stay going to the grave,” said Declan.
“It’s disappointing but he knows it has to end. It’s a pity it’s closing – but that’s way things are gone. People don’t tend to use the Post Office the way they used to,” he added.
Local councillor John Joe Fennelly said that the closure and Aidan Kennedy’s reitrement brings, ‘great sadness to the village’.
“I was saddened to hear about the post office closing. Aidan Kennedy’s service and character will be missed. People will miss the days of going into the post office and getting all the talk about the town,” said cllr Fennelly.
Incredible service to the wider Ballinakill community
Aidan has not just given his time to the post office, but has also been heavily involved in the wider community for over 50 years – most notably in Ballinakill GAA local bingo nights and the church choir.
Indeed he served as secretary of Ballinakilll GAA club for 42 years.
“Aidan has held almost every position in Ballinakill GAA for the last 50 years,” said current Ballinakill GAA Secretary Mairead Fitzpatrick.
“The club made a presentation to him two years ago for his service to the GAA. The Post Office will be hugely missed,” Mairead added.
Aidan previously spoke to LaoisToday when he celebrated 50 years as Postmaster in Ballinakill.
There have been tough times throughout the 50 years – he has been robbed twice, most recently in 2014. “You’d be on edge and always nervous you’d make mistakes. You have to balance it every night – it’s not a big job but the computers can make a mistake too.”
But for Aidan, the positives far outweigh the negatives – “meeting people, earning a few bob and helping to rear a family.”
He heaped praise on his wife Sadie for her support over the years, particularly in recent times when he had a hip replacement and with his lung fibrosis.
The announcement that the facility was going to be discontinued in Ballinakill was criticised by two Laois TDs.
“The closure of the post office due to retirement of the Post Master is a blow to the village of Ballinakill and the surrounding areas,” said Deputy Brian Stanley.
“This facility has provided valuable services to the community for several generations,” he added.
Population increase
“The population of the village and the surrounding area has increased in recent years. It is also important to note that An Post intend rolling out a programme of reform and are to have a greater range of service provided through the post office network.
“An Post should advertise the contract for the Ballinakill Post Office to ascertain the level of interest and keep the option open of co-locating it with an existing business,” he added.
Deputy Sean Fleming also hit out at the Government, saying there is “an anti rural bias”.
“This announcement in Ballinakill follows an earlier Government announcement a couple of years ago to close the Garda Station in Ballinakill,” he said.
“The Government is essentially withdrawing all key Government services from rural villages.
“Ballinakill is not the only village to have suffered this similar fate by this Government. In recent times they have facilitated the closure of the Post Office and Garda Station in Ballacolla also.
“There is an anti rural bias in this Government, they believe most people, services and employment should be based in the greater Dublin area.”
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