GPO Museum — Attraction in Dublin

Lovely building , friendly staff .I love passing here and seeing people looking for justice and the history about this building is worth reading up on . Dublin's first telephone exchange was opened in 1880. Run from a switchboard in Dame Street, it had five subscribers. Eight years later 500 trunk lines were connected between Dublin and Belfast. In 1893 the first submarine cable was laid between Port Patrick, Scotland, and Donaghadee, Co Down. By 1895 the National Telephone Company had networks in Belfast, Cork, Derry, Dublin and Limerick, with 3,300 subscribers. Lines reached Armagh, Portadown and Waterford in 1898. By 1900 Dublin had 4,562 miles of underground cable. At a meeting of the Pembroke Urban District Roads Committee in 1906, a request to erect telegraph posts on Sandymount Avenue and Gilford Road was agreed, even though the committee "were of opinion that the telegraph wires should be laid underground".

By 1912 the post office took over the private telephone companies, creating a unified state-controlled network across Ireland and Britain. An underwater cable from the Welsh coast to Howth Head, Dublin, was tested successfully in 1914.

In preparation for the Rising, control over those links was crucial. Late in 1915, Martin King, a member of the Irish Citizen Army, was working as a cable joiner with the Post Office, and "was familiar with the lay-out of all telephone and telegraph cables". In his statement to the Bureau of Military History, he said: "James Connolly asked me if he wanted to cut communications with England, how would he set about it? He told me to pick up all the information I could about this matter".

On Good Friday morning 1916, King and his foreman Andy Fitzpatrick, "...toured the principal trunk line centres, with a view to the disruption of communications on Easter Sunday".

While Connolly organised efforts to gain control of telegraph communications during the Rising, he also sought to inform the international press about it. What he called "our wireless station" was located in the Atlantic School of Wireless, across the road from the GPO above a jeweller's shop. Fergus O'Kelly, Dublin Brigade, was in the GPO on Easter Monday: "I was called aside by Joseph Plunkett and instructed to take a few men and take possession of the Wireless School... and do everything possible to get the transmitting plant and receiving apparatus into working order. A message was sent over by James Connolly for broadcast transmission... It was not possible to get in direct touch with any station or ship but the message was sent out on the normal commercial wavelength in the hope some ship would receive it and relay it as interesting news. As far as I can remember, the first message announced the proclaiming of the Irish Republic and the taking over of Dublin by the Republican Army."

Not being aimed at any single ship, the radio...

The GPO Museum, a bastion of history nestled within the iconic General Post Office in Dublin, is a place of profound reverence and awe. Its halls echo with the echoes of a pivotal moment in Irish history, and its exhibits serve as guardians of a rich and tumultuous past.

As one ventures through the hallowed corridors of the GPO Museum, a profound sense of respect for the struggles and sacrifices of generations past envelops the visitor. The meticulously curated displays and artifacts transport one to a time when the fate of a nation hung in the balance. It is here, within these walls, that the heartbeats of the Irish Republic were first felt, and the spirit of an indomitable people was ignited.

The GPO Museum narrates the gripping tale of the Easter Rising of 1916, a watershed moment in Ireland's quest for independence. The immersive exhibitions breathe life into the events of those fateful days, allowing visitors to stand shoulder to shoulder with the men and women who dared to dream of a free and sovereign Ireland. The very spot where the Proclamation of the Irish Republic was read aloud still resonates with the echoes of that historic declaration.

In this museum, history is not just recounted; it is reverentially preserved. The artifacts, documents, and personal stories on display evoke a deep sense of gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who forged the path to Irish nationhood. The GPO Museum is a testament to the resilience, determination, and unwavering commitment of the Irish people to their cause.

To step into the GPO Museum is to step into a shrine of Irish nationhood. It is a place where the weight of history is palpable, and where the memory of those who paved the way for Ireland's independence is cherished with the utmost reverence. This museum is an enduring tribute to the indomitable human spirit and the enduring quest for freedom, making it an essential pilgrimage for all who seek to understand and appreciate the profound tapestry of...

The GPO Museum in Dublin provides a comprehensive and immersive exploration of Ireland's revolutionary history, focusing particularly on the events surrounding the Easter Rising of 1916. Housed within the historic General Post Office building, which served as the nerve center of the Rising, the museum offers visitors a unique opportunity to step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and stories of this pivotal moment in Irish history.

One of the museum's standout features is the Witness History exhibition, which uses a combination of artifacts, multimedia displays, and interactive technology to bring the events of the Easter Rising to life. Visitors can follow the journey of the rebels as they plan and execute the Rising, experiencing the chaos and confusion of battle through immersive audiovisual presentations.

The museum also delves into the broader context of Irish history, exploring the social, political, and economic factors that contributed to the rise of Irish nationalism and the desire for independence. From the Great Famine to the Land War, visitors can gain a deeper understanding of the forces that shaped Ireland's struggle for self-determination.

In addition to its focus on the Easter Rising, the GPO Museum highlights the contributions of key figures in Irish history, including James Connolly, Padraig Pearse, and Countess Markievicz. Personal stories, letters, and artifacts provide insights into the lives and motivations of these individuals, offering a more intimate perspective on the events of the time.

Through its engaging exhibits and educational programs, the GPO Museum seeks to promote understanding, dialogue, and reflection on Ireland's revolutionary past and its relevance to contemporary society. It serves as a reminder of the enduring spirit of resilience, courage, and determination that defined the Irish people in their quest for freedom and...