Similar general post offices were established across the british empire. Apr 29, 2016 a wide variety of signed books, manuscripts, correspondence, archives, prints, posters and other artefacts from these iconic dates were also up for bidding. Aug 14, 2019 dont miss the great gift shop on the lower level of the courthouse. For gpo specific covid19 resources, please visit our page. Battleground the battle for the general post office, 1916. Mercier press, irelands oldest independent publishing house, based in cork has a vast collection of irish history books available to purchase online.
The general post office, or gpo, is easily one of the top ten sights of dublin. Gpo tickets, things to do in dublin city gpo witness history centre. Winner of the micheletti award at the 2017 european museum academy awards, gpo witness history is a historical mustsee when in dublin. Not only does the massive classical building dominate dublins main thoroughfare, it also is the iconic symbol of irelands failed 1916 easter rising. Taken over by irish volunteers on easter monday 1916, it was held for nearly a week. Three bombs exploded in dublin during the evening rush hour and a fourth exploded in monaghan almost ninety minutes later.
The gpo museum is a permanent visitor attraction located within the historic gpo general post office building on oconnell street, dublin. Sited in the centre of oconnell street, the citys main thoroughfare, it is one of irelands most famous buildings, not least because it served as the headquarters of the leaders of the easter rising. During the easter rising of 1916, the general post office gpo was the headquarters of the irish volunteers. Its a beautiful and iconic part of dublin city and has seen a lot of action down through the years. Four best books on dublin, for your christmas list. On easter monday 1916, while much of dublin holidayed at the seaside and placed bets at the horse races, a disciplined group of irish volunteers seized the citys general post office in what would become the defining act of rebellion against british ruleand. From playing a part in irelands colourful history to serving as the headquarters of the postal service for over 150 years, the general post office also known as the gpo is one of the most important buildings in dublin. Ardoifig an phoist in dublin is the headquarters of an post, the irish post office, and dublins principal post office. It was famously used as a headquarters by the leaders of the 1916 easter rising, as evidenced by the bullet holes still visible in.
Driving gpo witness history is easily accessible from all main road routes. More than half the book looks at irish history since then drawing. Walking the gpo is within easy walking distance of city centre hotels, luas, dart, mainline rail and bus services. They killed 33 civilians and a fullterm unborn child, and injured almost 300. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. On easter monday of 1916, armed groups of the irish volunteers and the citizen army, commanded by padraig pearse and james connolly, took over the. Find out about the history of the post office in ireland, read about the gpo and the 1916 rising and learn about historical irish stamps. Sep 11, 2019 have you heard about the easter rising that occurred in ireland in 1916. An post occupies a unique place in irish life, connecting people through a history stretching back more than 400 years. Ardoifig an phoist in dublin is the headquarters of an post, the irish post office, and dublin s principal post office.
Experience irish history in our awardwinning, immersive museum and visitor centre, based in the iconic gpo in the heart of dublin. Gpo the irish story irish history articles, irish history. Rankandfile members of 1916 gpo garrison documented in. Have you heard about the easter rising that occurred in ireland in 1916.
The siege of the gpo by clair willsroy foster listens to the continuing resonances of the dublin easter rising. It is a moving and important site to visit while in ireland. The gpo witness history is the perfect family day out. Gpo witness history gpo museum museums dublin things. The gpo is located on oconnell street in dublins georgian quarter. From playing a part in irelands colourful history to serving as the headquarters of the postal service for over 150 years, the general post office also known as the. Goods modesty makes him a terrific witness to history and his droll tone make this an indispensable volume on the rebellion.
While in ireland, it is necessary to take your children places that help them have an understanding about its difficult and painful history. The rising was launched by irish republicans to end british rule in ireland and establish an independent irish republic while the united kingdom was heavily engaged in the first world war. On easter monday 1916, while much of dublin holidayed at the seaside and placed bets at the horse races, a disciplined group of irish volunteers seized the citys general post office in what would become the defining act of rebellion against british ruleand the. A particularly prominent item was an original copy of the 1916 proclamation of the irish republic, reputed to be the one which hung in the general post office in dublin during the easter. He wrote his journal in 1946 for his son maurice, who has now edited it for publication. Patricia curtin kelly very few contemporary artists depicted events that occurred around. From oconnell bridge, the gpo is a short walk north along oconnell street. The main section of the building was made with wicklow granite and the portico of portland stone. Now, we absolutely love history books but sometimes it can be tricky to squeeze that fabulous hard back tome into your bag to read on the bus or on holidays. The dublin gpo is a place of symbolic importance for the irish. All existing accounts of the gpo in 1916 concentrate on the volunteers who. Read my new post today about the pivotal site in this battle, the gpo witness history museum in dublin. Just as fort mchenry and the alamo are iconic in american history, dublins general post office is important in modern irish history. Sinn fein, the gpo and the 1916 rising irishcentral.
This landmark is the headquarters of an post irish post, and there are rows of wooden counters for addressing and stamping mail, plus giant letterboxes for dublin and nondublin pieces. The general post office in dublin was designed by francis johnston, an architect with the board of works, in the greek revival style. Eiri amach na casca, also known as the easter rebellion, was an armed insurrection in ireland during easter week, april 1916. On december 17, 2014, congress redesignated the agency the u. Battleground the battle for the general post office. Gpo tickets, things to do in dublin city gpo witness. Gpo witness history oconnell street, dublin 1, ireland, dublin, ireland 1 rated 4. Combine your hop on hop off tour with a visit to gpo witness history, and learn all about the famous easter rising of 1916 within one of dublins most iconic. Many of dublin s finest buildings were destroyed at this time.
On the other hand, john oconnors handy reference book the 1916 proclamation anvil books, 1986 and 1999 contains a thorough roll of honour for the gpo of over 410. Many of dublins finest buildings were destroyed at this time. Gpo witness history gpo museum museums dublin things to. It was the last of the great georgian public buildings erected in the capital and during the easter rising of 1916, the gpo served as the headquarters of the uprisings leaders.
A firsthand account of the 1916 rising and its aftermath from joe good. Explore the historic gpo in dublin city centre today by purchasing tickets for the gpo online here. Gpo witness history is a new visitor attraction located in the historical and iconic gpo building on oconnell street, dublin. Aug 07, 2009 much of dublin 1916 is devoted to the iconic significance of the easter rising for the succeeding generations. Rankandfile members of 1916 gpo garrison documented in labour of love. The latest general information on the coronavirus disease 2019 covid19 is available on coronavirus. This highly interactive and spectacular visitor attraction focuses on the 1916 rising, the aftermath of this rebellion. Best known as the headquarters of the 1916 rising, it isnt just a monument to the past.
In 2017, the american printing history association honored gpo with its institutional award. It was the main stronghold of the irish volunteers in the 1916 rising, while today the general post office offers. James gandons custom house was burned by the ira in the war of independence, while one of gandons surviving masterpieces, the four courts had been seized by republicans and bombarded by the pro. Much of dublin 1916 is devoted to the iconic significance of the easter rising for the succeeding generations. Connell has made a heroic and some would say brave attempt to list the names of those who fought in the gpo in 1916.
Dublins gpo or general post office is now home to the gpo witness history exhibition where visitors can immerse in the events of the 1916 rising which helped shape the irish republic. The gpo is located on oconnell street in dublin s georgian quarter. The gpo museum is an immersive, interactive and engaging experience telling the story of the 1916 easter rising and modern irish history. For nearly 200 years, the general post office on oconnell street has stood at the heart of dublin. Irish history books ireland history books mercier press. Courage boys, we are winning an illustrated history of the 1916 rising by michael barry. It has lots of kids books and toys, including a replica of the 1916 easter proclamation made by the revolutionaries at the gpo.
The analogy may seem to falter because the rising is not a book, but rather, as the grander plaque inside the gpo states, a historical act that. On easter monday of 1916, armed groups of the irish volunteers and the citizen army, commanded by padraig pearse and james connolly, took over the gpo where they proclaimed the irish republic. The politics of commemoration, reenactment and remembrance just go on rolling. See the complete profiles in history series book list in order, box sets or omnibus editions, and companion titles. Gpo s history program documents over 150 years of keeping america informed through publications, exhibits, public programs, and research. Headquarters and focus of the 1916 rising, dublins general post office is the most famous building in ireland. Taken over by the irish volunteers on easter monday 1916 and held for nearly a week, the rebels finally surrendered the gpo to the crown forces after heavy gun bombardment, and the ensuing conflagration reduced it to an empty shell and destroyed much of the centre of the city. Visit the award winning immersive visitor centre of the 1916 easter rising at gpo. Gpo witness history exhibition in dublin ireland group. Dont miss the great gift shop on the lower level of the courthouse.
The dublin and monaghan bombings of 17 may 1974 were a series of coordinated bombings in dublin and monaghan, ireland. The easter rising of 1916 is a foundational moment of modern irish history, though not as some would have it the foundational moment. The general post office gpo was officially established in england in 1660 by charles ii and it eventually grew to combine the functions of state postal system and telecommunications carrier. The siege of the gpo profiles in history 9780674036338. Dublins general post office is one of dublins key historic attractions and hot topic among the history of the easter rising. Inaugurated almost two hundred years ago, the general post office gpo in dublin has a lengthy history that includes a strong connection with irelands struggle for independence. Gpo published in gems of architecture, issue 3 mayjune 2018, volume 26 oconnell street, dublin. It was famously used as a headquarters by the leaders of the 1916 easter rising, as evidenced by the bullet holes still visible in its grand facade. In the end it seems the burning gpo fires off more rounds of text than bullets. The general post office gpo in oconnell street, dublin, one of irelands most symbolic buildings, has witnessed two centuries of irish history. History readers will be drawn to wills incisive study. Visit gpo witness history and see the past come to life. Gpo general post office oconnell street dublintown.
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