The General Post Office, or GPO, is easily one of Dublin’s top ten attractions. The massive classical building not only dominates Dublin’s main street, it is also the iconic symbol of Ireland’s failed 1916 Easter Rising.
All visitors to Dublin must stop and see the GPO. The historic Post Office is really hard to miss because it is the largest building on O’Connell Street and can be found right in the center of Dublin’s Northside. The impressive exterior is combined with a restored interior with lots of brass and wood accents.
The striking building is one of the finest examples of Georgian architecture in the center of Dublin and is a true landmark of the city. While the GPO can be easily admired from the outside, it’s best to plan at least an hour to explore the new exhibit inside, which brings the story of Ireland’s rebellion to life.
Story
After years of moving from one building to another around the city, main post office in town he found his house on O’Connell Street in the early 17th century. The GPO officially opened its business in its impressive new Georgian building in 1818, on what was then known as Sackville Street.
The mail business continued as usual for nearly a century until 1916, when the amazing building in central Dublin was commanded by Irish rebels fighting for independence. The GPO was chosen as the headquarters for the leaders of the Easter Rising, and on Easter Sunday 1916 Patrick Pearse stood between the six ionic columns of the famous colonnade to read the proclamation of the Republic of Ireland.
The rebel group of intellectuals barricaded themselves within the GPO, but they were less armed and in number. Although the Dublin General Post Office was chosen for its strategic and central location, British forces soon arrived and ruthlessly shelled the structure. The Irish rebels had very few weapons to mount a great defense, much less a counterattack.
The GPO was almost completely destroyed by fire after the Easter Rising and the only thing left standing was the stone facade. There are still signs of artillery fire on the outside of the building, but the GPO had to be completely rebuilt by the new Free Irish State Government in 1929. Since then it has faithfully served as Dublin’s main post office.
how to visit
The Dublin GPO is a post office that works to this day, making it possible to enter and admire parts of the interior from Monday to Saturday. The office can be quite busy, and unfortunately, many of the paintings that once hung in the hallways have been moved.
For those reasons, the best way to visit the GPO is to book tickets for the special Witness History exhibit commemorating the 1916 Uprising. The museum is located in the basement of the GPO and tickets can be purchased online for € 12 or in the museum for € 14.
The GPO Witness History exhibit is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. M. At 5:30 p. M. And on Sundays and holidays from 12 to. M. At 5:30 p. M. Museum tours are normally self-guided, but groups of 10 or more can book in advance to reserve a guided tour.
What to see at the Dublin GPO
One of the must-see pieces in the GPO is the famous Cuchullainn statue, which is only visible from the outside. The bronze sculpture was created by Oliver Sheppard and depicts the death of one of Ireland’s leading mythical figures. The dying figure of this legendary warrior pays tribute to the rebels who died for Irish independence.
At one point, this historic statue was the main thing to see inside the GPO. However, in honor of the centenary of the 1916 Easter Rising, the post office created a museum in the basement, which is known as the GPO Witness Story.
The museum is dedicated to the weekend rebellion that has made the GPO a symbol of Irish nationalism, even today. Inside is an interactive exhibit, with looping video and many original artifacts to help bring the Easter Rising to life.
The newly renovated museum and exhibits are the main attractions, but at the end of the day, the GPO is also still a functioning post office and the headquarters of An Post, Ireland’s national postal system. Visit the GPO Philatelic Office, where you can find commemorative stamps from the past few years for sale, and they might even be a one-of-a-kind Dublin souvenir.
What else to do nearby?
The GPO is located in the center of Dublin, so most attractions are just a short walk away. However, the building is particularly close to the Spire, a 390-foot-tall monument in the middle of O’Connell Street. The needle-shaped sculpture is built on the site of Nelson’s Pillar until 1966, when it was destroyed by a bombardment organized by the former IRA.
The GPO is located on the corner of O’Connell Street (a main street in Dublin) and Henry Street, one of the main shopping areas in the city. This is the perfect place to enjoy retail therapy.
St. Stephen’s Green is just steps away and offers a beautiful break from the crowds that congregate downtown.
