Knocknacarra residents will have to continue travelling to post their letters as An Post has indicated it has no immediate plans for a Post Office in the area.

Galway West TD Frank Fahey.

In a letter sent in response to representations from Galway West TD Frank Fahey, Donal Connell, the CEO of An Post said An Post had not been satisfied that the area had developed to the extent that it could support such an outlet. However, he said that An Post is currently conducting a review, expected to be published by the end of 2007, which will identify new areas needing improved postal services.

However, Deputy Fahey said that Knocknacarra could not wait any longer, especially as there also was no bank in the area. "An Post have had a number of offers for a location of a post office from Joyce's Supermarket, and with the new Knocknacarra Shopping Centre open, there couldn't be a better time. I have put it to them that it's the ideal time to take a decision irrespective of the review."

Knocknacarra has been struggling to get recognition for itself in recent years, with the ongoing fight for a community centre and other facilities. Peter Sloane, Chairman of the B?thar Stiofán Residents Association, said people in the area would be very supportive of the requirement for a post office, as it was badly needed.

However, Mr Sloane also said that the geographical size of Knocknacarra made it difficult to find a good location. The area stretches from the Western Distributor Road, to the Cappagh Road, which would be closer to the Barna Post Office.

Twenty postal sub-offices closed in the first half of 2007, while a further four were converted to 'agency post offices' such as those found in supermarkets.

A spokesman for An Post, "In some areas the level of local business makes the decision to take on a contractor-run operation or an agency is an easy business decision. In other areas the post office will have been the last service standing with the local filling station, Garda station, even the shop, all gone. In many ways the network has been subject to a natural process, which reflects the changing Ireland in which we all live and work." The nearest post offices to Knocknacarra are in Salthill, Barna and Westside.

According to official census figures from 2006, the Knocknacarra and Barna District Electoral Divisions have a population of approximately 14,000 people between them. More specific figures are not available, according to a spokesperson from Galway City Council.

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