The General Post Office
"We place the cause of the Irish Republic under the protection of the Most High God, Whose blessing we invoke upon our arms."
- The Proclamation of the Irish Republic
- The Proclamation of the Irish Republic
Throughout the Easter Rising the GPO was the headquarters used by the rebellion leaders. In April of 1916 rebellion leader Padraig Pearse lead his army to the GPO were they captured and occupied. This was the location where he lead aloud the Proclamation of Independence. The rebels held the GPO for nearly a week as British forces bombarded the people within with bullets and fire. Although it ended in a surrender the GPO was seen as a symbol of the rebels and how they could fight a force much stronger than their own.
Kilmainham Jail
"Life springs from death; and from the graves of patriot men and women spring living nations."
- Padraig Pearse
Kilmainham Jail is a jail that was used to hold many people who participated in the Easter Rising including high ranking leaders such as Padraig Pearse and James Connolly. Kilmainham was overcrowded, poor health hygene, and was susceptible to epidemics of disease. Between May 3rd and May 12th, seven leaders of the Easter Rising were executed here. This jail now is viewed as a sacred space because of the men who gave their life to Ireland's freedom.
Croke Park
"Indescribable scenes of panic at Croke Park."
-The Dublin Evening Standard
-The Dublin Evening Standard
Croke Park is the location where British troops randomly open fire on a crowd during a GAA game between Tipperary and Dublin on November 21, 1920, known as Bloody Sunday. Fourteen people were killed from gunshot wounds and trampling. The massacre made world headlines and this was one of the events that inspired a many people of Ireland to join the fight against British rule.
Béal na Bláth
"They'll never shoot me in my own country."
- Michael Collins
- Michael Collins
Béal na Bláth is where leader Michael Collins was ambushed and killed by anti-treaty forces on August 22, 1922. Collins had been visiting cities that had recently been inserected from anti-treaty forces. While on his way to Cork City his convoy was stopped and attacked which resulted in Collins dying from head injuries. Béal na Bláth is now viewed as a monument to Michael Collins.