Small-town Ireland will be 'devastated' by bank closures

The Bank of Ireland branch in Cobh, Co Cork, which is one of nine branches in Cork that will shut its doors to the public later this year. Picture: Dan Linehan

Communities hit by a swathe of Bank of Ireland branch closures have described the move as "devastating", a blow to small-town Ireland, and even suggested it is ushering in the prospect of some areas becoming a "ghost town".

In Co Cork, the bank is closing nine branches, from Bantry to Mitchelstown and east to Youghal, while seven branches in Limerick and three each in Waterford, Kerry and Clare will close.