In Dublin, the General Post Office is undoubtedly one of the city’s most emblematic buildings! Located on O’Connell Street, the city’s main avenue, this is the official headquarters of the Dublin Postal Bank.
Since its creation, it has been the headquarters of Ireland’s national post office (known as An Post), which delivers parcels and mail from Dublin to the rest of the country…
More than just a post office, this neo-classical building is above all a strong historical symbol of the capital…
Impossible to miss, you’ll find it not far from the Spire on Dublin’s biggest avenue: O’Connell Street.
The General Post Office in Dublin – Stefan Jürgensen – cc
The General Post Office was built on O’Connell Street in 1814 by architect Francis Johnston.
It took 3 years to complete, and the result seems to have lived up to the architect’s expectations.
The building is very imposing, with its neo-classical columns and pediment, and was built in the Georgian style so dear to the city.
In 1817, the building was declared complete, and the Irish Post Office was able to leave its former premises on Dame Street and move to Dublin’s main thoroughfare: O’Connell Street.
Easter Uprising – Public domain
1916: at this time, Dublin’s Central Post Office is one of the city’s nerve centers, and has been delivering mail for many, many years.
At the time, Ireland and Dublin were living in an extremely tense political context, with the Irish and British struggling to co-exist on the same territory. Faced with this situation, which has lasted for centuries, the Irish government and the Irish Republican Brotherhood decided to launch a gigantic revolt, scheduled for Easter.
A strategic plan was devised to seize the city’s main buildings. Dublin’s Central Post Office was naturally part of this, and it was on April 24, 1916 that the Irish Volunteer Force and the Irish Citizen Army took control of the Central Post Office.
Nevertheless, the Easter Rising was put down a few days later by the British, and the Irish were defeated…
During this revolt, the Central Post Office was somewhat damaged. It was not restored until a few years later, when the Irish Free State was officially created.
To commemorate this event, a statue of Cúchulainn, a major hero of the town, was erected in front of the Central Post Office (it remains there to this day).
Today, the Dublin Post Office is still in business. You’ll be able to enter the hall freely, discover the many counters, and post a few postcards to your loved ones!
Posting your letters couldn’t be easier: mailboxes are available at the entrance to the Post Office, as well as inside. All you have to do is slide your mail into the slot corresponding to the desired destination!
For larger parcels, it’s best to go directly to a counter. They offer pre-packaging for a fee, and take charge of your parcel straight away. So it’s exactly the same as in France or anywhere else!
There’s also a post office museum, the An Post Museum, with a fascinating exhibition on the building’s troubled history at the time of the Easter Rising.
You can discover the chronology of events, objects from the period, old stamps and a copy of the Proclamation of the Republic in Ireland. Photos, drawings and explanations will give you a better understanding of the identity of this historic building, which has become a symbol of the Irish nationalist struggle!
Rates : 
Opening hours :
Adresse :
GPS :
3.67/5 (3 votes)
I'm booking my visit!
