Winner of the 20 marguerite williams award for excellence in restoration, dublins old post office is open to the public for exploring and discovering the importance of historic preservation and restoration. Ardoifig an phoist in dublin is the headquarters of an post, the irish post office, and dublins principal post office. Saint columba one of irelands three chief saints founded the abbey of kells around 554. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. The historical development of the post office in ireland. Although under the jurisdiction of the british post office, the irish postal system was administered from dublin up until 1784. Find out about the history of the post office in ireland as well as dublins gpo and the role it played in the 1916 rising. General post office, oconnell street lower, dublin 1.
When ireland was ruled by britain, all the post boxes were red just like the ones you see in london. Generally referred to as irelands finest national treasure, the book of kells is a richly decorated ancient manuscript containing the four gospels of the christian scriptures in latin. It was famously used as a headquarters by the leaders of the 1916 easter rising, as evidenced by the bullet holes still visible in its grand facade. Popular fiction and poetry were written and avidly read by combatants and noncombatants alike. An post is a designated activity company registered office. Post offices were opened in towns throughout ireland, and post boxes, either freestanding or wallmounted, became a familiar sight. General post office was the only way to keep in touch with each other for years. Post houses were established in the principal towns in ireland about the year 1670, by means of which, for 8d. For a time, it was believed that the book of kells may have been produced there during his lifetime, maybe even by the saint himself. Although it was kept at the abbey of kells monastery in county meath for much of the late medieval and early modern periods, the exact origins of the manuscript are still not known for certain.
The general post office, or gpo, is easily one of the top ten sights of dublin. It is believed that it was taken post1916 rising, if you look closely too, the clock on the very far left of the image indicates its 10. See if you can spot the crown next time you pass the post box. Learn more records of postmaster appointments records of post office locations other microfilmed records post office names where to find these records for more information post office records may deliver interesting information to the genealogical researcher seeking more information about an ancestor or an. Library the post office dublin directory and calendar for 1858. The gpo museum provides a unique events space within one of the most important landmarks in dublin. They were so successful that the scheme extended to mainland england, and ireland received its first roadside letter boxes in 1855. Irish postal history sixteenth century to 1935 by c j cooke, 1935 irish postal rates before 1840. An post occupies a unique place in irish life, connecting people through a history stretching back more than 400 years learn about our history visit gpo witness history and see the past come to life. Get offline map and directions using our gpsmycity selfguided walking tours app for your mobile device. If youre looking for things to do in the area, you might want to stop in and see dublin castle and grafton street. Event venues dublin, venue hire dublin gpo witness. I would like to extend a big thank you to all of you, our customers, who have kindly supported us here at an post museum by visiting, sharing your stories about you or your family members, who at one time worked for the irish post office, for writing to us about the museum for articles and books etc, as well as tweeting and facebooking us. An post history and heritage the gpo museum the 1916 rising by norman teeling a tenpainting suite of events of the.
The undaunted american widow returned to ireland in the midst of the great famine and helped organise relief for the destitute and hungry. Previously irl has called on the government to implement a plan of action to help sustain the post office network as post. At the heart of the book are the men and women whose fascinating. Be sure to check out the frequently asked questions about visiting ireland. Find out about the best free and payfor irish tourist attractions. The general post office in 1916 in 1916, one of the most important events in irish history happened when the gpo became the headquarters for the easter rising. More post office department descriptions added to the national archives catalog. They were compiled between 1823 and 1837 in order to determine the amount which occupiers of agricultural holdings over one acre should pay in tithes to the church of. Services provided include, letter post, parcel service, deposit accounts, express post, an allireland next.
He has already published on diverse aspects of postal history in ireland, from post boxes to nineteenth century robberies and reward notices. Sited in the centre of oconnell street, the citys main thoroughfare, it is one of ireland s most famous buildings, not least because it served as the headquarters of the leaders of the easter rising. Submission on the future of the post office network in ireland. The post office in ireland irish history books mercier press. The bulk of the post office dublin directory is takenup with the sections wholly treating on the city and suburban areas of dublin. The post office dublin directory and calendar for 1858. Today examples of late nineteenthcentury post boxes still survive in many places, their original paint well hidden under coats of an post green but with queen victorias royal cipher still clearly visible. But what of those dubliners and others who were working in the post office that. In early 17th century the post office expanded its services. Reynolds, mairead, a history of the irish post office. An post mails, parcels and post office networks are working as normal across ireland. Winner of the micheletti award at the 2017 european museum academy awards, gpo witness history is a historical mustsee when in dublin.
It is hoped to build an extensive database reflecting irish lives, giving them a chance to be heard, remembered and to add their voice to the historical record. Once ireland became independent from britain, all the post boxes were painted green the colour of ireland. General post office gpo is located in city centre dublin. Dublin general post office dublin, ireland atlas obscura. Full information on an post services during covid19 is available on our status page. The general post office in dublin, ireland stock photo. Statistics on post office network an post is one of irelands largest indigenous commercial enterprises, both in terms of turnover and employment. The literature produced in great britain and ireland during and after the first world war spanned a wide range of genres and styles.
Annals of the famine in ireland is asenath nicholsons sequel to irelands welcome to the stranger. The general post office in dublin is the headquarters of an post, the irish post office, and. Irish airmail society the irish airmail society was founded in 1989. Gpo witness history visitor centre free entry with the. Top 10 dublin hotels near general post office gpo ireland.
A history of the irish post office by mairead reynolds. Lets go back to where it all began and see whats changed. A historic landmark situated in the centre of oconnell street, the gpo is one of irelands most famous buildings, and was the last of the great georgian public buildings erected in. Her account is not a history of the famine, but personal eyewitness testimony to the suffering it caused. Post offices in seventeenth century ireland illustrated. Literature great britain and ireland international. At that time, ireland and britain were a united kingdom but many irish people believed ireland should be in control of its own affairs and a few were prepared to fight for irish independence. The general post office gpo on dublins sackville street oconnell street is the most famous location associated with the easter rising. Closing times when nearest shop is open and closed on weekdays, weekends, holidays, late night and sunday shopping.
But many of the older ones still have the english crown on their doors. Media in category general post office dublin the following 4 files are in this category, out of 4 total. It is believed that it was taken post 1916 rising, if you look closely too, the clock on the very far left of the image indicates its 10. Rule book for the rural postman, 1921 national museum of ireland. Dublins general post office is one of dublins key historic attractions and hot topic among the history of the easter rising. Goodreads helps you keep track of books you want to read. An excellent singlevolume introduction to irish history, this book covers 2000 years, searching through the mists of time to trace the roots. The ebooks are listed in a wide range of categories.
The general post office, dublin tourist information dublin. General post office in dublin, ireland sight map, attraction information, photo and list of walking tours containing this attraction. Convention between the general post office of the united. Normal post office services are still available in the building. Ireland tourist information abounds in our everexpanding and constantly update irish tourism resource.
When an armed group of rebels occupied the general post office in dublin on easter monday 1916, provoking a weeklong. To the honour of the officials in the irish postoffice, it was forwarded to kilgobbin with. This is the first complete history of the irish post office, an institution which. The tithe applotment books are a vital source for genealogical research for the prefamine period, given the loss of the 182151 census records. Sited in the centre of oconnell street, the citys main thoroughfare, it is one of irelands most famous buildings, not least because it served as the headquarters of the leaders of the easter rising. The post is the stateowned provider of postal services in the republic of ireland. Its in a historic neighborhood well known for its great entertainment and bars. The archive and collection hold primary source material and artefacts that relate to. Before 1840, the gpo served state itself and mainly wealthy people.
One account shows that a 15yearold messenger named andrew mcelvain transported the mail, a threeday roundtrip, between chillicothe and franklinton which became columbus where settlers from the. The general post office locally referred to as the gpo ardoifig an phoist in irish in dublin is the headquarters of the irish postal service, an post. Philatelic societies for collectors of ireland stamps and ireland postal history eire philatelic association the eire philatelic association is a nonprofit philatelic organization specializing in the collecting, study, and enjoyment of stamps and other postal items of ireland. A trial of the setting up of four post boxes was carried out in jersey in 1852. Aldwells general post office directory of cork 1845 by aldwell cork, 1845. The general post office dublin ireland reaching out. The post office in ireland, an illustrated history the. Renowned for both its historical and architectural significance, the exceptional venue offers the ultimate backdrop for a variety of events, right in the heart of dublin. Built in 1814 and sited in the centre of dublins main thoroughfare oconnell street, the general post office was designed by francis johnston. The general post office looks exceptionally grand in this image. The general post office in dublin on oconnell street is the headquarters of the irish postal service and a bustling hub of activity, but every easter it becomes a symbol of irish revolution and. Convention between the general post office of the united kingdom of great britain and ireland, and the general post office of the united states of america microform. The ireland story bookshop general irish history books.
Start by marking a history of the irish post office as want to read. The gpo the century ireland project is an online historical newspaper that tells the story of the events of irish life a century ago. While we update our systems customer service opening hours will be 9. Irish postal history the dublin penny post by f e dixon, published 1969, 16pp, robson lowe reprint with revisions synopsis of irish postal history in the stampless era. Occupied by british, it has witnessed lots of historical events. Find out about the history of the post office in ireland, read about the gpo and the 1916 rising and learn about historical irish stamps.
Situated in the heart of dublin, the general post office is one of the most historical sites in dublin. Years ago with no telecommunication and social networking, the post was the only way to keep in touch and connect with each other. Opening hours for post office in bangor northern ireland. In england, there was a similar problem, and the post office decided to follow frances example and provide roadside posting boxes. Ireland stamps and ireland postal history stamp domain. The post office savings bank was established in 1861, and. Inaugurated almost two hundred years ago, the general post office gpo in dublin has a lengthy history that includes a strong connection with irelands struggle for independence. The general post office in dublin was designed by francis johnston, an architect with the board of works, in the greek revival style. It was the main stronghold of the irish volunteers in the 1916. Gradually the post office assumed a role as the principal, and generally benign, agent of government throughout the country. The irish postal service has been helping people to keep in touch with family and friends for hundreds of years. The main section of the building was made with wicklow granite and the portico of portland stone. Not only does the massive classical building dominate dublins main thoroughfare, it also is the iconic symbol of irelands failed 1916 easter rising. Irish almanacs and directories free irish genealogy ebooks main menu free irish ebooks.
Personal histories is an initiative by history ireland, which aims to capture the individual histories of irish people both in ireland and around the world. Fein rebellion as they saw it published by irish academic press in 1999, and together they bring a strikingly fresh perspective to the history of the rising. General post office, oconnell street lower, dublin 1, d01 f5p2 registered number. To him, too, must go the credit for the introduction of that most useful of post office improvements, the pillar box. Beginning with the directory, lists of all of the civic, civil, religious and educational establishments to be found throughout greater dublin, there follows the extremely useful and valuable dublin street directory.
First published in 1858 and republished here in fullysearchable format is the twentysix annual edition of the post office dublin directory and calendar for 1858. Our archive and collection preserve the history of the post office in ireland, promote education and support the business needs of the company. In this first volume of the royal irish academys multivolume a new history of ireland a wide range of national and international scholars, in every field of study, have produced studies of the archaeology, art, culture, geography, geology, history, language, law, literature, music, and related topics that include surveys of all previous scholarship combined with the latest research findings. The siege of the gpo profiles in history 9780674036338. Back to bookshop front general irish history before 1600 1600 to 1969 the troubles maps discovery maps other books. Due to covid19 we are redesigning how we manage customer service. An post provides a universal postal service to all parts of the country as a member of the universal postal union. In 2017, the national archives, in partnership with the irish manuscripts commission, began a survey of archival material salvaged from the public record office of ireland, following the destruction of the record treasury during the civil war in 1922. As well as headquarters for an post the postal service in ireland,and the main post office in the city, it is also a historic symbolic building in the history of the irish state being the hq for the easter risiing of 1916.
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