The General Post Office, Dublin 1.

The General Post Office, Dublin 1.

The GPO was built by Francis Johnson & began its life in 1818. Its first 98 years were uneventful. Major refurbishment works had been completed on the building in 1916, just weeks before it became a focal point of "The Easter Rising" which commenced on Easter Monday 1916.

The building was totally destroyed, burnt, & reduced to to a shell, during the course of the 1916 Rebellion. Its burning shell is recreated in the opening scenes of the movie "Michael Collins".

It remained derelict until 1924, when the newly Independent Irish Government began to rebuild on the existing still sound shell, rather than entirely knock the structure. The GPO was re-opened for business by President Cosgrave, July 1929. Fire damage reconstruction works were completed to Gandon's Custom House also during 1929.

Memorial to the participants of the 1916 Rising in GPO.

A bronze statue is situated in the Mail Hall, inside a window at the front portico, as a memorial to the participants of the 1916 Rising (centre picture above). The text of proclamation of the Irish Republic is inscribed on the monument, along with the names of the signatories.

The memorial depicts a legendary Irish hero Cuchulainn. The legend relates that when mortally wounded in battle, Cuchulainn tied himself to a pillar so that he might face his enemies, even in death. Only when a raven perched on his head did they dare to approach.

The GPO is our local post office. It is worth a visit, if only to post a letter!

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The Anchor Guesthouse

49 Lower Gardiner Street

Dublin 1

Ireland.

Tel: ( )- 353-1-8786913

16th Feb 2005