The Easter Rising of 1916 is the most significant event in recent Irish history. Dublin’s General Post Office is one of Ireland’s most famous buildings after having served as headquarters for the uprising’s leaders.
On Easter Monday of that year, members of the Irish Volunteers and Irish Citizen Army took control of the building. The siege to extricate Patrick Pearse and his supporters from the barricaded Post Office involved much of the north area of the city. In their efforts, the British forces left extensive damage on the building and the original columns still bear various bullet marks. The building was again heavily damaged by bombardment during the Civil War that broke out in 1922.
Ever since the Easter Rising, the Dublin GPO has retained a status as a symbol of Irish nationalism and history. Inside there is an impressive bronze sculpture of the mythical Irish warrior Cúchulainn, the legendary knight of the Red Branch, dedicated to the valiant souls who lost their lives in the uprising and used as a symbol by Loyalist and Republican paramilitary groups alike. In front of the GPO, there is the Spire of Dublin, which replaced Nelson’s Pillar following its destruction by an IRA explosion in 1966.
Designed in 1818 by Frances Johnston and completed in 3 years, the Post Office is the last of the great Georgian buildings in the capital with Ionic columns and Greco-Roman pilasters. It is also the headquarters of the state-run Irish postal service An Post and as a working post office, can tend to get quite bust at times. While there, you could pay a visit to the Philatelic Office where you can buy commemorative stamps as an innovative souvenir option.
Many years later, the General Post Office is still regarded as an iconic symbol for the Irish and, even to this day, demonstrations and protests are typically rallied on its steps. Therefore, while a visit to the Post Office is a must for any Dublin tourist, you might want to check a local newspaper before going – lest you might end up being an unwitting participant in a protest.
