ATM service unveiled at Fethard Credit Union

Clonmel Credit Union has announced a significant investment of more than €180,000 to modernise its Fethard branch.

The news comes as the credit union unveils an external ATM (automatic teller machine), giving the community round-the-clock access to cash and financial services for the first time since the last pillar bank withdrew its over-the-counter services in Fethard in 2021.

CEO of Clonmel Credit Union, Pádraig Enright, said the project is part of the credit union's commitment to supporting members and regional communities at a time when traditional banks are reducing their branch networks and face-to-face services across rural Ireland. Fethard has a population of over 2,000 people with a wider catchment of approximately 3,500.

Commenting on the impact of the investment, he said, “We are listening closely to what our members and communities are telling us they need. Access to cash remains vital for many households, businesses, and community groups, particularly elderly residents in rural towns. This investment is part of our wider strategy to strengthen local services, support jobs and ensure that people can continue to live, work and do business in their own communities with confidence.”

Local Branch Manager and Fethard native, Audrey Conway, said the greatest benefit of the ATM is the convenience for people locally, “Until now, Fethard locals have had to travel a 22-kilometre round trip to access 24/7 ATM services. It was a major blow for the community when the bank withdrew its branch services and ATM, forcing people and businesses to travel for routine transactions.

“We are delighted to introduce this service locally today as we continue to make everyday banking more convenient and accessible for our members.”

The launch of Fethard’s new ATM comes amid growing national concern about access to cash. The Government’s Finance (Provision of Access to Cash Infrastructure) Act 2025 states that 96.5% of the population must be within a 10 km radius of an ATM.

The Act was introduced to ensure that communities across Ireland retain sufficient access to cash, a vital safety net for those who are digitally excluded, for older people, and in the event of outages or cyber-attacks.

“This is about being there for our community when it matters,” said Pádraig Enright, CEO of Clonmel Credit Union.

“With this investment of over €180,000 in our Fethard branch, and adding 24/7 access to cash, we send a simple message. As the banks step back, we are stepping forward with practical, visible commitments to the people of Fethard and to the future of the town.”

The renovation programme brought the Fethard branch up to a comfortable contemporary standard. A central focus of the works was sustainability. The upgrade has significantly reduced the branch’s energy footprint, aligning the building with the credit union’s wider commitment to responsible, sustainable operations.

To mark the occasion, Clonmel Credit Union added several cash bonuses to its August Members' Prize Draw, adding an additional €18,000 to its usual monthly prize fund of €21,000.

In addition to the usual €15,000, €3,000, €2,000 and €1,000 prizes, two members won € 5,000 each, plus eight members were surprised with an unexpected windfall of € 1,000 each.