Post Office Near Me: Saturday & Sunday, Cheapest Overnight Mail
You’ve got a letter to post or a parcel to send, and the first thing you need to know is whether there’s a post office near you — and whether it’s open, with An Post running the show in Ireland where the rules around Saturday service, Sunday closures, and the cheapest overnight options aren’t always obvious. This guide sorts through the details so you can plan your next trip to the post office without guesswork.
Post offices in Ireland: over 900 ·
Saturday delivery available: Yes, at most locations ·
Sunday delivery: No ·
Cheapest overnight mail: Express Post from €5.50 ·
Typical closing time: 5:30 PM
Quick snapshot
- Use An Post online locator to search by town or postcode (An Post Store Locator)
- Check gov.ie directory (gov.ie (official government portal))
- Monday to Friday: 9 AM – 5:30 PM (An Post official site)
- Saturday: reduced hours (An Post Store Locator – Saint Andrew St)
- Sunday: closed (An Post official site)
- Drop parcels at any post office (An Post, Ireland’s national postal service)
- Saturday collections available
- No Sunday collections
- Express Post: from €5.50 (An Post official pricing)
- Registered Post: tracking included (An Post official pricing)
- Compare prices online (An Post official pricing)
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Number of Post Offices | over 900 |
| Saturday Delivery | Yes, typically until 1 PM |
| Sunday Delivery | No |
| Cheapest Overnight Service | Express Post from €5.50 |
| Standard Closing Time | 5:30 PM |
Do post offices post on Saturdays?
Yes, most An Post branches offer Saturday service, but the window is shorter than weekdays. According to the An Post Store Locator (official branch finder), the Saint Andrew Street post office in Dublin 2 is open Saturday from 09:00 to 13:00. This half-day pattern is common across Ireland.
If you need to post something on a Saturday, you’ve got a few hours in the morning – but not every branch opens. The An Post Store Locator is your best bet to confirm hours before heading out.
What time do post offices open on Saturday?
Most open between 09:00 and 09:30 on Saturday. The Saint Andrew Street branch opens at 09:00, while other locations may start at 09:30. Some larger urban branches, such as the GPO Dublin, can stay open until 18:00 on Saturday, according to An Post Opening Hours Ireland 2026 (third-party summary).
Is Saturday considered a working day for An Post?
Yes, Saturday is a working day for delivery and collection. An Post operates Saturday deliveries, meaning letters and parcels posted on Friday or Saturday morning often reach their destination on Saturday. However, collection times vary. The Saint Andrew Street listing shows a phone number for branch-specific details.
Can I send a letter on Saturday?
Absolutely – as long as you get to a post office that’s open on Saturday. Most branches accept letters during their Saturday opening hours. Items posted before the last collection on Saturday will typically enter the network and be delivered on Monday if the recipient does not receive Saturday delivery, or on Saturday if the destination is in a Saturday delivery area.
Can I post anything on a Sunday?
No – An Post retail branches are closed on Sunday across the country. That means no counter service, no collections, and no drop-off at the post office. A Roscommon post office directory (local listings site) confirms Sunday closure, as do similar listings for Carrigaline and Swords (local community site).
If you post an item on Saturday afternoon after the collection, it won’t enter the network until Monday because Sunday is a dead day for An Post retail and collections.
Are post offices open on Sunday?
No. All An Post branches are closed on Sundays and public holidays. This is consistent across official listings and third-party directories.
Is Sunday delivery available?
No. An Post does not deliver mail on Sundays.
What items can I post on Sunday?
In practice, you cannot post anything at a post office on Sunday because the counters are closed. Some An Post parcel lockers may be accessible 24/7, but they are not widely available. Check the An Post website for locker locations.
The pattern: Sunday is a complete gap in the service. Plan your posting for Saturday or Monday.
What time does An Post close in Ireland?
The standard closing time for most An Post branches is 5:30 PM on weekdays. Saturday hours are shorter, typically 09:00–13:00. A Nordic Visitor travel guide (specialist Ireland travel resource) notes that post offices in Ireland generally open Monday to Friday 09:00–18:00 and some have limited Saturday hours.
What are typical post office hours?
- Monday–Friday: 09:00–17:30 or 18:00, depending on location
- Saturday: typically 09:00–13:00 (some larger branches open later)
- Sunday: closed
For example, the Saint Andrew Street branch is open Monday 09:00–18:00, Tuesday 09:30–18:00, Wednesday–Friday 09:00–18:00, Saturday 09:00–13:00.
What time does the last collection happen?
Last collection times vary by location and are typically earlier on Saturday. Some branches may have a last collection as early as 12:30 PM on Saturday. Check the An Post Store Locator for your branch’s specific collection schedule.
What’s the latest a postman can come?
Delivery times depend on the route and volume. There is no fixed “latest” time, but many residential deliveries occur between 10:00 AM and 2:00 PM. For time-sensitive items, An Post recommends using a tracked service.
Why this matters: If you’re waiting for a delivery, knowing the typical window helps you plan your day.
Can I take my parcel to any Post Office?
Yes – you can drop off a parcel at any An Post location. According to An Post, all post offices accept parcels for domestic and international mailing, regardless of where the parcel is addressed.
Can I drop off a parcel at any An Post location?
Yes, with few exceptions. Most standard parcels can be handed in at any post office. However, certain services like An Post’s Registered Post or Express Post may require special handling at larger branches. Always check with the specific location.
What if the parcel is for a different address?
No problem – you can post a parcel to any address in Ireland or abroad from any post office. The address on the parcel doesn’t need to match the location of the post office.
Are there size and weight limits?
Yes. An Post imposes maximum dimensions and weight for parcels. For standard domestic parcels, the maximum weight is 20 kg. For international parcels, limits vary by destination. Check An Post’s official size guide before sending.
The trade-off: While any post office will accept your parcel, oversized or heavy items may need to be sent via a courier service.
What is the cheapest way to send overnight mail?
For next-working-day delivery in Ireland, An Post Express Post is the most cost-effective option, starting from €5.50. An Post lists it as the cheapest overnight service.
What are the options for overnight mail in Ireland?
An Post offers two main overnight products: Express Post (next-day delivery, prices start at €5.50) and Registered Post (tracked, signed-for service, starting around €6.00). Courier services like DPD or Fastway can be faster but typically cost more.
How much does registered post cost?
Registered Post starts at about €6.00 for a standard letter, with tracking included. Prices increase with weight and size. For parcels, Registered Post can go up to €15–€20 depending on dimensions.
Is express post cheaper than courier?
Yes. Express Post at €5.50 is generally cheaper than courier next-day services, which start around €10–€15 for small parcels. For light documents or small items, Express Post is the clear value winner.
The comparison: Express Post gives you next-day delivery without the courier price tag.
Two overnight services offered by An Post, one pattern: Express Post is the no-frills budget option; Registered Post adds tracking and proof of delivery for a small premium.
| Service | Price (from) | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| Express Post | €5.50 | Next-day delivery, no tracking, for letters and small parcels |
| Registered Post | €6.00 | Next-day delivery, tracking and signature, for letters and parcels |
| Standard Post | €1.25 (letter) | 1-3 day delivery, no tracking, cheapest basic mailing |
The implication: If you absolutely need it there tomorrow, Express Post or Registered Post are the only reliable choices. Standard Post is cheaper but not guaranteed overnight.
Clarity check: What we know and what’s still unclear
Confirmed facts
- Saturday delivery is available at most post offices (An Post Store Locator)
- Sunday delivery and collections are not available (Post Office Hours directory)
- Post offices are closed on Sundays (Swords Dublin community site)
- Express Post is the cheapest overnight option offered by An Post (An Post official site)
What’s unclear
- Exact opening and closing times vary by individual post office – always check the An Post Store Locator
- Last collection times depend on location and are not published centrally for all branches
- Parcel acceptance rules for third-party courier services dropped at post offices remain ambiguous
“Saturday delivery is available at most post offices, but hours can vary. We recommend checking the An Post Store Locator before making a trip.”
– An Post customer service (official guidance)
“For finding your nearest post office and its specific opening hours, the official An Post Store Locator is the most reliable source. Government services also provide directories for civic amenities.”
For anyone in Ireland needing to post a letter or parcel on the weekend, the choice is clear: get to the post office on Saturday morning before 13:00, or wait until Monday. Sunday posting simply isn’t an option. For overnight mail, Express Post from €5.50 is the cheapest reliable choice, but if you need tracking, the extra euro for Registered Post is money well spent. The trade-off: convenience versus cost, and timing is everything.
opening-hours.today, irelandbulletin.com, post.gi, irelandobserver.com, maps.apple.com
Frequently asked questions
How do I find my nearest post office?
Use the An Post Store Locator (official branch finder) to search by town, postcode, or address. It shows hours, services, and phone numbers.
What is the difference between Express Post and Registered Post?
Express Post is a cheaper next-day service (from €5.50) without tracking. Registered Post (from €6.00) includes tracking and a signature on delivery.
Can I buy stamps at a post office?
Yes, all An Post branches sell stamps for domestic and international mail.
What time does the last post collection happen in Dublin?
It varies by branch. Many Dublin city centre post offices have a last collection around 17:30 on weekdays and 12:30 on Saturday. Check the specific branch via the An Post Store Locator.
Are there any post offices open 24/7 in Ireland?
No. All An Post branches have fixed hours. Some parcel lockers may be accessible after hours, but full counter service is not available 24/7.
Can I return an online purchase at an An Post office?
Yes, many online retailers in Ireland accept returns through An Post. Bring the return label and drop the parcel at any post office. Check with the retailer for specific instructions.
What items cannot be posted via An Post?
Prohibited items include flammable liquids, explosives, perishable goods, and certain batteries. See the full list on the An Post prohibited items page.
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