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The museum is an immersive and interactive experience telling the story of the 1916 Easter Rising and modern Irish history. Don’t miss the specially created centerpiece film that puts you right in the middle of the action during the Rising as it happened at the GPO and other locations.

Compose newspaper reports, examine and send morse code to declare the Irish Republic and play interactive games.

The GPO was the communications hub of Ireland and headquarters of the men and women who took part in the 1916 Easter Rising. The historic and tumultuous Easter Rising set into motion an unstoppable chain of events which would ultimately lead to the creation of the Irish Republic.

The iconic GPO building is the headquarters of the post office in Ireland as well as being an enduring symbol of freedom and a place of commemoration. The building was originally opened in 1818 and was destroyed during the 1916 Easter Rising, the present enlarged structure re-opened again in 1929.

The Rebel Rising Tour is ideal for those who wish to explore the 1916 Easter Rising and the major events of modern Irish history in more detail.

The GPO In Dublin: It’s History And The Brilliant GPO 1916 Museum

By Author Katherine Smyth

Posted on Last updated: January 2, 2024

A visit to the GPO museum (General Post Office) is arguably one of the best things to do in Dublin .

Immerse yourself in modern Irish history, and discover the story behind this magnificent neo-classical façade and its towering statues.

Visit the famous GPO in Dublin and uncover how it played a key role in the 1916 Easter Rising , and see for yourself the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

Below, you’ll find info on the GPO 1916 tour, the history of the building itself along with why we believe this is one of the finest museums in Dublin .

Table of Contents

Some quick need-to-knows about the GPO 1916 exhibition

Photo by David Soanes (Shutterstock)

Although a visit to the GPO museum is fairly straightforward, there are a few need-to-knows that’ll make your visit that bit more enjoyable.

1. Location

The GPO is situated just over the River Liffey, on the northern banks of the city centre. Cross over O’Connell Bridge, and it’s a quick 5-minute walk along O’Connell Street Lower. It’s a short ramble from the likes of Trinity College , Temple Bar and the Molly Malone Statue .

2. Opening Hours

The GPO museum is open Wednesday to Saturday, from 10:00am – 5:00pm (last admission at 4:00pm). During July, August, and September the GPO 1916 tour runs on Tuesdays at standard times. Get the most up-to-date opening hours here .

3. Admission

Ticket prices (affiliate link) for the GPO museum vary from €15.00 for adults to €7.50 for kids. For those 65+, there’s a senior ticket for €12.00. 

4. GPO Tour

The GPO Witness History is a self-guide experience with a one-way system in place. Tours are available, but only for groups at present, and must be booked via the reservations department. However, there is an excellent audio guide available at no extra charge. More below.

5. Still a working post office

The GPO remains a working post office, with around 900 people reported to be working in the building in 2022. The stunning building houses the Irish postal service, and you’ll see tellers at work before you start your tour.

A brief history of the GPO

Photo left: Shutterstock. Right: The Irish Road Trip

The GPO’s current location is actually its 6th. Previous locations include Fishamble Street (1689), Sycamore Alley (1709) and Bardin’s Chocolate House (1755).

The construction of the current GPO in Dublin started in 1814. It was opened 4 years later, in 1818, and that’s where the story all begins.

Architecture

At a cost of between £50,000-£80,000 for its construction, featuring Portland stone and mountain granite, the GPO is Dublin architecture at its best.

With an iconic neo-classical portico with six immense Ionic columns, the entrance to the GPO is steeped in a mixture of classical Greek and Irish mythology with statues of Mercury, Hecate, and Hibernia.

Located in the centre of the building is a sculpture by Oliver Sheppard depicting the death of Cú Chulainn , a mythical Irish hero.

1916 Easter Rising

However, it was during the 1916 Easter Rising that the GPO became enshrined in modern history. The building served as the headquarters for the Irish leaders , and it was outside this location that Patrick Pearse read out the Proclamation of the Irish Republic.

During the rebellion, the interior of the building was destroyed, leaving only the granite façade. The interior was rebuilt in 1929, and there is a copy of the proclamation displayed in the museum.

Present day

The original GPO museum was closed in 2015 and reopened in March 2016 as a new visitor centre and the home of the ‘GPO Witness History’.

The building is still considered to be a potent symbol of Irish nationalism and a poignant reminder of independence. In 2003 the Spire of Dublin was erected nearby, replacing Nelson’s Pillar, which was destroyed in an explosion in 1966.

What to expect from a tour of the GPO 1916 museum

A visit to the GPO 1916 museum really is a fine way to spend a few hours, especially if you’re looking for things to do in Dublin when it’s raining.

Below, you’ll find info on what to expect from a visit to the GPO in Dublin, from the immersive displays to the award-winning experience.

1. An immersive experience

Photos by The Irish Road Trip

The GPO 1916 Museum offers an engaging, immersive and interactive experience that’ll appeal to both young and old (you can book tickets here ).

Those that visit will discover the story of what happened in the city during the 1916 Easter Rising and the events that led up to it.

You start the GPO tour on the upper floor of the General Post Office, where workers come and go and light shines in through beautiful windows.

From here, you descend into what feels like a basement level, and that’s where the adventure begins, and you feel like you enter a battlefield.

2. An insight into modern Irish history

The GPO 1916 museum is incredibly immersive. After leaving the bright post office, you descend into a dark museum (see photos above).

All around you you can hear the sounds of the interactive displays, with bullets ringing out in the distance from videos that brilliantly show what happened during 1916.

You can walk around on the GPO tour and read the various plaques and information notices, or you can sit down and watch a wonderfully put-together video.

Things to see near the GPO museum

One of the beauties of the GPO museum is that it’s a short spin away from many of the best places to visit in Dublin , like 14 Henrietta Street .

Below, you’ll find a handful of things to see and do a stone’s throw from the GPO 1916 tour (plus places to eat and where to grab a post-adventure pint!).

1. The Spire (1-minute walk)

Photos via Shutterstock

Less than 30 metres away is the Spire of Dublin or Monument of Light, as it’s also known, is made of stainless steel and stretches 120 metres into the Dublin skyline. Akin to a giant sewing needle, this staggering and yet elegant monument reflects the changing light throughout the day.

2. The O’Connell Monument (3-minute walk)

Photo left: Balky79. Photo right: David Soanes (Shutterstock)

Head back towards the river along O’Connell Street Upper, and you’ll arrive at the O’Connell Monument . The statue was completed in 1883, featuring the imposing figure of Daniel O’Connell – acknowledging his significant role in the emancipation of Irish Catholics as an abolitionist and his support for tenant farmers.

3. The Ha’penny Bridge (5-minute walk)

Photo by Bernd Meissner (Shutterstock)

Walk along the river and you’ll reach the Ha’penny Bridge , or officially the ‘Liffey Bridge’. Built in 1816, it is a pedestrian bridge made from cast iron, and the name comes from the fee charged to anyone using it to cross the river.

FAQs about the GPO 1916 museum

We’ve had a lot of questions over the years asking about everything from ‘What is the GPO in Ireland?’ (it’s a post office and museum) to ‘How many people visit the GPO every year?’ (around 300,000).

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.

How long is the GPO tour?

You’ll want to allow at least 45 minutes to get around the GPO 1916 museum. The GPO tour is self-guided, so you can spend as little or as long as you wish.

Is the museum in the GPO in Dublin worth visiting?

The GPO 1916 exhibition is excellent. It’s an immersive experience that packs a punch. The story of this turbulent time is brilliantly told via interactive displays.

How much is it in to the GPO visitor centre?

A visit to the GPO 1916 museum costs €15.00 for adults and €7.50 for kids. For those 65+, there’s a senior ticket for €12.00. There’s also a Family ticket (2+2) for €33.00.

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Dublin's General Post Office of Easter 1916 Fame

Historic Landmark Dominating O'Connell Street in Dublin

TripSavvy / Jamie Ditaranto

The General Post Office, or GPO, is easily one of the  top ten sights of Dublin . Not only does the massive classical building dominate Dublin's main thoroughfare, it also is the iconic symbol of Ireland’s failed 1916 Easter Rising.

Every visitor to Dublin should stop and see the GPO. The historic post office is actually hard to miss because it is the largest building on  O'Connell Street  and can be found right at the center of Dublin's Northside. The impressive exterior is matched by a restored interior with plenty of brass and wood details.

The striking building is one of the best examples of Georgian architecture in the center of Dublin and it is a true city landmark. While the GPO can easily be admired from outside, it is best to plan at least an hour to explore the new exhibit inside, which brings the history of Ireland’s rebellion to life.

After years of moving from building to building around the city, Dublin’s main post office found its home on O’Connell Street in the early 17 th century. The GPO officially opened for business in its impressive new Georgian building in 1818, on what was then known as Sackville Street.

The mail business went on as usual for nearly a century until 1916, when the striking building in the center of Dublin was commandeered by Irish rebels fighting for independence. The GPO was chosen as the headquarters for the leaders of the Easter Rising , and on Easter Sunday of 1916 Patrick Pearse stood between the six ionic columns of the famous colonnade to read the proclamation of the Irish Republic.

The rebellious group of intellectuals barricaded themselves inside the GPO, but they were under armed and outnumbered. Even though the Dublin General Post Office was chosen for its strategic, central location, the British forces soon arrived and shelled the structure mercilessly. The Irish rebels had too few weapons to mount much of a defense, let alone a counter attack.

The GPO was almost completely destroyed by a fire following the Easter Rising and the only thing left standing was the stone façade. There are still signs of the artillery fire on the outside of the building, but the GPO had to be completely rebuilt by the new Irish free state government in 1929. It has faithfully served as Dublin’s main post office ever since.

How to Visit

Dublin’s GPO a working post office to this day, so it is possible to walk in and admire parts of the interior Monday through Saturday. The office can be quite busy, and unfortunately, many of the paintings that once hung in the halls have been moved.

For those reasons, the best way to visit the GPO is to book tickets to the special Witness History exhibit that commemorates the 1916 Rising. The museum is located in the GPO’s basement and tickets can be purchased online for €12, or at the museum for €14.

The GPO’s Witness History exhibit is open Monday – Saturday from 10 am – 5:30 pm, and on Sundays and holidays from 12 pm – 5:30 pm. Visits to the museum are normally self-guided, but groups of 10 or more can book ahead to reserve a guided tour.

What to see at Dublin's GPO

One of the must-see pieces at the GPO is the famous Cuchullainn statue – which is only visible from the outside. The bronze sculpture was created by Oliver Sheppard and represents the death of one of Ireland’s major mythical figures. The dying figure of this fabled warrior pays homage to the rebels who died for Irish independence.

At one time, this historic statue was the main thing to see inside the GPO. However, in honor of the 100-year anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising, the post office created a museum in the basement, which is known as the GPO Witness History.

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 a looping video and lots of original artefacts to help bring the Easter Rising to life.

The newish museum and exhibits are the main attractions, but at the end of the day, the GPO is also still a working post office and the headquarters of An Post, Ireland’s national postal system. Pay a visit to the GPO’s Philatelic Office, where you can find commemorative stamps from recent years on sale – and they might even make for a unique Dublin souvenir .

What else to do nearby

The GPO is located in central Dublin, so most attractions are 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-like sculpture is built on the spot where Nelson’s Pillar stood until 1966, when it was destroyed by a bombing organized by the former IRA.

The GPO sits on the corner of O’Connell Street (a main Dublin thoroughfare) and Henry Street – one of the main shopping areas in the city. This is the perfect place to indulge in retail therapy.

St. Stephen’s Green is a short walk away and offers a lovely break from the crowds that congregate in the city center. 

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The Proclamation of the Irish Republic in 1916

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The vip taxis guide to what to see and do in and around dublin, gpo museum – o’connell street.

The GPO Museum “Witness History” is a visitor attraction which puts you right inside the GPO (General Post Office) during Easter Week in 1916. History comes to life as you experience events from both sides of the conflict and through the eyes of bystanders caught in the crossfire, availing of electronic touch screens, video, audio visual booths, sound and authentic artefacts (many previously unseen). You can compose newspaper reports, examine the original copy of the Proclamation and send Morse code to declare the Irish Republic by radio.

Explore the events of the Easter Week through personal stories, eyewitness accounts and historical artefacts; use interactive maps to route military dispatches from the GPO to Stephen’s Green; compare the life of a wealthy child in Dublin at the time to the life of a child of the tenements; use touch screens to learn about the events leading up to the 1916 Easter Rising and its aftermath; examine the impact the Rising had on Ireland (both North and South) and throughout the world; and explore how Easter Week has been commemorated over the past 100 years.

After the exhibition, you can relax and reflect in the café and retail store overlooking the courtyard. The courtyard is also home to a commissioned sculpture called ‘They are of us all’, commemorating the forty children who died during the Easter Rising.

The General Post Office is the centrepiece of O’Connell Street. It was designed by Francis Johnston in 1814 in Greek revival style and completed in 1818. He wanted to build a handsome building that would add to Dublin’s architectural beauty and emphasise the important role of the Post Office in Irish life. There was a fine public office at the front, a courtyard for the mail coaches at the back and an imposing façade complete with classical columns and statues on the roof. The statues are of Hibernia (Ireland), with Fidelity to one side and Mercury to the other. During the 1916 Rising, the GPO was one of three Dublin landmarks – along with the Four Courts and the Custom House – destroyed in the fighting. It was rebuilt and re-opened in 1929.

Just after midday on Easter Monday 1916, a band of rebels stormed the GPO. They ordered staff and customers to leave and seized control of the building, making it their headquarters during the fierce fighting of Easter Week. Ireland was declared a sovereign nation on the front steps of the GPO when Patrick Pearse read the Proclamation of Independence on Easter Monday. In the face of considerable military opposition, the rebels held the GPO for almost a week. With the building on fire and crumbling, the rebels tunnelled through the walls of neighbouring buildings and retreated to nearby Moore Street. On Saturday, Pearse took the decision to surrender.

The Easter Rising, though it ended in failure, set into motion an unstoppable chain of events which would ultimately lead to the creation of the Irish Republic.

The 1916 Proclamation is one of the most important documents of modern Irish history. Drafted in large part by Padraig Pearse, it was hurriedly printed in Liberty Hall on the night before the Rising began. The copy on display here is one of the few to have survived the turmoil of Easter Week and the passage of over a century.

Opening Hours: Tues to Sat: 10 am–5 pm, last admission 4 pm Closed on Sunday and holidays. Self-guided tour – Book online in advance as this is a very busy visitor centre. Public guided tours on Saturday only.

Private tours for groups (10 people and over) may be arranged by booking in advance with the reservations office (an additional cost applies).

Closed New Year’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter Sunday, Dec 23-26.

Contact & Pricing: anpost.com/Witness-history [email protected] Tel: 01 872 1916 General Post Office, O’Connell Street Lower, Dublin 1 Adults €17; concessions.

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Visit GPO Witness History.

I make a reservation

A modern exhibition explaining the cultural and political identity of present-day Ireland

Brand new and beautiful! The GPO Witness History is Dublin’s newest museum, housed in the legendary General Post Office building. Entirely dedicated to the Easter Rising of 1916 (an important episode in Irish history ), as well as to the emergence of the Irish state, this museum will plunge you into the heart of Irish history as you’ve never seen it before!

Visit the GPO Witness History

Aerial view of the General Post Office ( GPO ) in Dublin – © Irish Drone Photography

For those who might be put off by such museums at first glance, the GPO Witness History is far from a dull history lesson! His exhibitions are interactive, fun and effective. Here, touch-screen terminals, large screens, sound recordings, artifacts and photos take you back in time to 1910/1920, when the island of Ireland dared to defy centuries of British colonization.

All presented in French, please: enough to convince even the most reluctant!

The museum focuses on a historic revolt: the Easter Rising of 1916. This event (which was nonetheless repressed by failure) gave Ireland the impetus to fight for its future independence.

An event to which the Irish are particularly attached.

GPO Witness History pays homage to history, with a wealth of technical resources. The icing on the cake: the museum even offers a 15-minute immersive audiovisual experience that plunges you right into the heart of the uprising, as well as into the Dublin neighborhoods of the time! You’ll experience this adventure on a 180-degree screen, so you can live the moment to the full!

The museum is also dedicated to Irish Gaelic culture, with a particular focus on the birth of the GAA (the Gaelic Athletic Association), a historical sports organization dedicated to promoting local Gaelic sports.

You’ll also learn about the importance of the Gaelic language, considered an essential part of the Irish national identity!

In short, the GPO Witness History offers a fascinating tour of the history of Dublin, the General Post Office (the National Post Office building that was at the heart of the Rising), and Ireland as a whole.

Note that you can reserve your tickets on the museum’s website: you’ll get a small discount!

GPO Witness History Practical informations

• 15€ per person
• 12€ per senior citizen
• 12€ per child aged 14 to 17
• 7.50 per child aged 6 to 13
• free for children under 6
• Monday to Saturday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

GPO Witness History on a map

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Dublin's iconic GPO, at the heart of the city and Ireland's history

One of ireland’s most iconic buildings, we look at the history of dublin’s gpo..

The General Post Office or GPO, as it is more commonly referred to, is one of Dublin’s and Ireland’s most important and iconic historical sites.  Currently, the head office of Ireland’s postal service An Post, the building is also home to a museum that explores the history of both the 1916 Easter Rising and the importance of the GPO in Irish history and culture.  

* This article was originally published in Ireland of the Welcomes magazine. Subscribe now.

Construction of the GPO began in 1814 and was completed in 1818 and the finished project was to be one of the last Georgian public buildings to be built in the City of Dublin.  Originally built on the street known as Sackville Street , the GPO stands in the same spot, however, the street is now known as O’Connell Street.

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O’Connell Street is the main thoroughfare of and widest street in Dublin.  Until 1966, the GPO was faced by Nelson’s Column which was blown up by a bomb planted by Republicans.  The Spire now stands in that spot and has become synonymous with both the GPO and O’Connell Street.  If you ask true blue Dubs, the Spire is loved and hated in fairly equal amounts, due to the fact that while it represents nothing – unusual in itself in Ireland, it also acts as a light that points onwards and upwards to the future of this beautiful city.  The monument stands at a whopping 120 meters high and can be seen from many vantage points in the city.

Dublin's Spire, erected outside the GPO.

Most famously, the GPO was used by the leaders of the 1916 Easter Rising as a headquarters in the fight for independence. At the time, Sackville Street and the GPO would have been considered ostentatious and very much associated with the British elite.  Marking the beginning of the Easter Rising, the Irish flag was raised and Padraig Pearse , the then Commander in Chief of the Irish Volunteers stood on the steps and read the Proclamation of the Irish aloud, declaring Ireland a sovereign nation.  

Soldiers inside the GPO during the Easter Rising.

This resulted in days of bloody violence, the remnants of which can still be experienced through the bullet holes visible to this day on the pillars of the GPO.  The devastation of the 1916 Rising resulted in almost the entirety of the GPO being demolished following a sustained attack from a British Gunship, however, the remaining grand pillars were saved and the building was rebuilt and reopened in 1929.  

The GPO almost destroyed following the 1916 Easter Rising.

Today, while still operating as the headquarters for An Post, the GPO is also home to an interactive museum, GPO Witness History, that tells the story of the 1916 Rising through a variety of mediums to people young and old.  The story of the fight for independence is told through photos, newspaper articles and commentary from both fighters and bystanders who watched on.  The museum is also the home of the original copy of the Proclamation which can be read and viewed there.

The GPO at night.

You can explore the museum alone or as part of a guided tour, either way, you’ll be engrossed in the real and raw history that you will see.

The GPO is also home to other artifacts that symbolize Irish culture and strength.  In particular, the Statue of Cú Chulainn is displayed prominently in the public area of the GPO.  The bronze statue was described by Éamon De Valera as ‘a beautiful piece of sculpture, the creation of Irish genius, symbolizing the dauntless courage and abiding constancy of our people’.  The sculptor Oliver Sheppard chose to depict the demise of Cú Chulainn to represent the many Irish people who sacrificed themselves for their country.          

Another must-see sculpture in the GPO visitors center is ‘They are of us all’ a commissioned sculpture that commemorates the loss of 40 children during the 1916 Rising. 

This beautiful building is a must-see on any trip to Ireland to fully appreciate the history of a crucial time in the Republic of Ireland.  

• Immerse yourself in Irish history at the GPO Witness History visitor center
• Young female 1916 Rising fighter in the GPO tells her story

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GPO Witness History Combo

Visit the award-winning GPO Witness History and discover the acclaimed attraction which was opened in 2016 to mark the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Rising. GPO Witness History has been a phenomenal success and has become one of Dublin's most visited attractions.

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• Admission to GPO Witness History & Skip the Queue
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GPO Witness History

Discover the best sights all around Dublin with DoDublin’s award-winning Dublin city sightseeing hop on hop off tour (48 Hour Ticket), and get hands on with Irish history at GPO Witness History, an immersive, interactive and engaging experience telling the story of the 1916 Easter Rising and it's pivotal role in shaping modern Irish history. This interactive visitor attraction puts visitors right in the heart of Ireland's modern history. The GPO was the communications hub of Ireland and headquarters for the 1916 Easter Rising. This hugely significant event in Irish history led eventually to the creation of the Irish Republic.

Regarded as one of Dublin’s best attractions, GPO Witness History is a permanent visitor attraction located within the stunning and historic GPO (General Post Office) building on O’Connell Street, Dublin. Opened in 2016 to mark the 100 year anniversary of the Easter Rising (one of modern Ireland's momentous events), the attraction has quickly become one of the must-do activities in Dublin.

The experience is one of the newest Dublin Museums and it is one of the top attractions to explore. The wonderful guides at GPO Witness History will bring visitors on an emotional journey that brings the stories to life, sharing the stories of all the people who were affected by the Historic Rising – Rebels, Crown Forces, Postal Workers and Civilians alike.

Create your own newspaper reports, take a look at the original Irish Proclamation, and you can even send a Morse code message!

With electronic touchscreens, video, audiovisual booths, authentic artifacts, and incredible, never-before-seen footage, the exhibition of interactive history will put you right in the centre of Ireland's historic past.

1916 History

Combine your DoDublin Hop on Hop off ticket with entry to the site where the destiny of this small nation changed forever. One of Ireland's newest museums GPO Witness History brings you back and makes you feel part of the events of Easter Week 1916.

• Stop 3 on the DoDublin Hop on Hop off tour
• Save €5 with Combo ticket
• Save with our fantastic combo deal
• Audio Guide available in six languages

Where is GPO Witness History located?

Located just across from the spire on O'Connell Street just a stone's throw away from the start of the DoDublin Tour, GPO Witness History promises to be an experience you won't forget. The Dublin Hop On Hop Off Tour stops right outside at Stop 3 on the tour.

Learn about the history of our city and country at this fantastic experience, tour the historic GPO building and see how the rising has been commemorated since the fateful events of 1916.

Vouchers for tickets purchased online must be PRINTED and cannot be accepted on smartphones or mobile devices.

GPO Combo vouchers must be redeemed at our Airport or City Centre Desk and cannot be redeemed directly from the bus driver.

Hop on Hop off Tour departs from Dublin Bus Head Office, 59 Upper O’Connell Street, Dublin 1. Every 10-15 minutes from 9am. You can join the tour at any stop.

Fantastic interactive history lesson

I was slightly dubious at first but so glad we went. A great way to learn the history of Dublin with our tour driver. We combined the trip with the GPO Witness History tour which is a brilliant and interactive museum experience located in the building where the rising began. Would Recommend!

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Attraction Spotlight: GPO Museum

The oldest operating post office in the world is one of ireland's most important buildings..

One place that history lovers visiting Dublin should put on their must-see list is the  General Post Office, or the GPO, as it’s more commonly known. Many of CIE Tours' Irish vacations offer the opportunity to visit this building in the heart of the city. There is no more iconic building in Ireland - and a fascinating museum inside tells its story. 

In fact, the GPO is possibly the most important building in all of Irish history. Architecturally, it is beautiful: The last major Georgian building completed in Dublin, it has handled post since its opening in 1818 and is one of the oldest post offices still operating in the world. Six columns mark the entrance, with three statues atop the columns. Two are Greek gods: Mercury, the messenger of the gods, and Fidelity, symbolizing trust. In the middle stands the mythical figure of Hibernia, symbolizing Ireland.  

It’s not its architectural significance that gives the GPO its historical import, however. It’s the building’s role in Dublin’s Easter Rising – perhaps the most pivotal moment in the making of the state. Rebels seeking to liberate Ireland from British rule chose the site as their headquarters, and took over the building on Easter Monday, April 24, of 1916. 

It was a natural choice for two key reasons: The imposing post office was a prominent symbol of British authority, and it was critical for communications in Ireland and between Ireland and Britain. Additionally, its central location dominating the wide street then known as Sackville Street (today known as O’Connell Street) ensured that its seizure would attract attention. 

The rebellion was ultimately doomed, as were many of its leaders. But the seeds of independence had been planted. The rebellion was the pivot point that resulted in the eventual formation of the modern nation of Ireland. 

Today, the GPO is still the most prominent post office in Ireland – but It’s also the home of an award-winning museum showcasing the role of the building in the birth of the Irish nation, the Rising and its aftermath, and how Ireland has developed since. The museum opened in 2016, in the centenary year of the Rising. It’s a high-tech experience that brings the events of 1916 to life through electronic touch screens, video, audio visual booths, sound and authentic artifacts. 

Most of our Irish vacations offer the opportunity to visit this fascinating museum - and guests on our Irish Spirit group tour enjoy a visit there on the first day of their vacation for a tour and a welcome drink with their group. 

For more information, visit www.gpowitnesshistory.ie .   

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