New future for what once was Thurles Post Office in the centre of the town

There has been substantial progress in relation to finding a new purpose for the old Post Office on Liberty Square in Thurles. 
Government TD Jackie Cahill has welcomed the progress as An Post intends to place the building in the centre of his hometown of Thurles on the market. 

Speaking in relation to the matter, the Fianna Fáil TD said: “I am delighted that An Post have decided to finally place the old Post Office on Liberty Square in Thurles on the market following my recent intervention on the matter in the Dáil.

“Three weeks ago I raised this matter with Minister Eamon Ryan, who has responsibility for An Post. I was pleased at the time with Minister Ryan’s commitment to me on the Dáil record that he would raise this matter with An Post directly to tackle this state building that remained vacant for far too long. 

“I am confident that this building, in the heart of Thurles, will provide an attractive opportunity for interested parties to purchase. It is vital that a buildings in town centres such as the old Post Office in Thurles are not left vacant, as has been the case with this building, and I welcome that action is finally taking place in relation to this building following my recent intervention in the Dáil.”

Jackie Cahill had previously raised the issue of the building with the Minister for Communications Eamon Ryan to ensure the vacant Post Office building in Thurles would be brought back into use. The Tipperary TD told the Dáil at that point that it was “unacceptable” that a semi-State building was lying vacant.

“An Post closed its post office on Liberty Square in the town almost six years ago and relocated it to a nearby shopping centre,” Deputy Cahill said on that occasion.

“The Government has invested hugely in Liberty Square through the urban regeneration fund. It is completely unacceptable that a Semi-State body like An Post would leave a building like this in a pivotal part of the centre of town idle,” he said.
The old Post Office at Liberty Square closed its doors in September 2019 on a Saturday before reopening at the current new location the following Monday. It was the end of an era.

At the time there was much stress, anger and sadness expressed by customers, locals and local business owners at the closure. It is not just Thurles that has experienced change in recent times. Nearby in Cashel, Post Office front desk services will be relocated next month from the current location on Main Street to the local SuperValu.

In Tipperary Town the Post Office is now set to be taken over by a private postmaster rather than being run directly by An Post staff. Currently nationwide, less than 40 Post Offices are now run directly by An Post in what is a huge break with decades of tradition.

Regarding the former Post Office building in Thurles, agents have now been appointed to put the building and extensive yards on the market. Independent Tipperary TD Deputy Michael Lowry, who has been engaging with An Post to dispose of the town centre property, said this week:

“It has been a source of concern that this property has not been utilised. There are clients who previously expressed interest in the property. It would be very welcome to see the heritage building repurposed and brought back into use.”

The Post Office building has large sheds and yard space to the rear which backs onto the CBS Secondary School and will be sought after for its location alone.

Some urban regeneration and town centre vacant building grants may be required, while planning permission may be needed should there be a change of purpose.