The post office is providing a key service during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has seen Ireland's postal system become busier than ever as people order goods online. For many older people cocooning postal workers are there only connection with the outside world.
The post office in Barna, County Galway reports a 70 per cent increase in the volume of letters and parcels. It has extended opening hours to cope with the demand for services.
Letters and parcels are through the roof as a more diverse group of people are posting the old fashioned way.
The post office is attracting new customers. Conor Mulholland normally sends messages online but today is posting a letter. Claire Shannon and her children are sending a birthday gift. Postmistress Seona O'Fegan says that the post office is busier than at Christmas with small businesses continuing to trade using online ordering.
Rural post offices are a lifeline for older people. The pandemic has seen postal workers like Kevin McNama go beyond the usual call of duty.
Sometimes we might be the only person that they see especially in these times now with cocooning and that.
Pensioner Michael Hartnett jokes that the social distancing restrictions, have and him and his wife under house arrest. He says there is nothing more important than the post office in rural Ireland.
While hundreds of rural post offices have closed in recent years, postal workers say that the pandemic has highlighted the unique role that An Post plays in local communities.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 6 May 2020. The reporter is Teresa Mannion.
