G is for General Post Office

A to Z Challenge 2016:  Easter Rising of 1916

2016 is the 100 year anniversary of this important moment in Irish history.  Join me throughout the month of April for an A to Z of the Easter Rising of 1916.

A is About the Easter Rising
B is for Boland's Mill
C is for Cumann na mBan
D is for Dublin Castle
E is for Enniscorthy
F is for The Foggy Dew

G is for General Post Office (GPO)

On Easter Monday, April 24, 1916, a group of Irish rebels took over the General Post Office and other key buildings around the city of Dublin announcing the establishment of the Irish Republic.  Padraig Pearse read a proclamation that declared Ireland a free nation and established a provisional government.  Most accounts claim that Pearse stood on the steps of the GPO when he made the announcement but pictures of the GPO show no steps.

image source:  irishcentral.com

Five members of the provisional government were stationed at the GPO during the rising with an army of 350 men and women.  Attacks on the GPO started on Monday.  By Wednesday the building was receiving fire from a British gunboat off the coast.  The GPO was on fire by Friday and had to be evacuated.