An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 29 of having 6,000 volunteers for Easter Sunday, only 1,000 mobilised on Easter Monday to strike against the most pow- erful empire in the world at that time. We then viewed a near 20-minute CGI video on a massive 13ft 'D' shaped semicircular immersive screen. This film was a mixture of animation and actors depicting the action at key points during the rebellion, was excel- lent and added realism to the events as we watched the rebel command- ers, like Pearse, Plunkett and Clarke, in action, before switching to the British Forces view, and back again. Highlights of the video included see- ing Winifred Carney, Cumann na mBan member and aide to Connolly, with her typewriter in one hand and her Web- ley revolver in the other; the attack on the Magazine Fort in the Phoenix Park; rebel troops digging trenches in St Stephen's Green; and the mention of a young Michael Collins who was in the GPO as an aide to Joseph Plunkett. After the video, Alex brought us around the inner circle of the main exhibit, which had large displays con- taining original artefacts and replicas relevant to the Rising and the GPO. Touchscreen information monitors are available on all displays, and it is fair to say it would take hours to cover the whole exhibition in detail. Alex then described the rebels' escape from the GPO on a large map of the city centre, pointing out Moore Street, where they were forced to enter civilian homes to hide and the nearby laneway where The O'Rahilly died. We ended the downstairs part of the tour at a large print of the famous photo of PH Pearse's surrender to Gen WHM Lowe. On Pearse's right (nearly obscured except for her feet and coat) is Nurse Elizabeth O'Farrell (Cumann na mBan), who was entrusted to carry the subsequent surrender dispatches to the rebel commanders. On the way back up the stairs, there is a large display with all the names of those who received a military pension associated with serving inside the GPO during the Rising. There is a lovely gift shop and café on the 1st level with access to the courtyard where you can stand in the heart of the GPO and where there is a memorial by artist Barbara Knezevic containing 40 limestones represent- ing the 40 children who died in the rebellion. There is also a display of flags ranging from the Norman period, through centuries of British rule, up to the Irish tricolour and ending with the Irish presidential flag. GPO Witness History has won numerous awards since opening including the Micheletti Award at the European Museum Academy Awards. This prestigious award is the European prize for innovative museums in the world of contemporary history, indus- try and science. The visitor centre also won 'Best Cultural Experience (over 100,000 people) and the Irish Tourism Industry Awards. The GPO Witness History visitor centre offers great group rates, with guided tours for groups of ten or more. There are also concessions for families and students. This is an excellent addi- tion to Dublin's 1916 attraction list and certainly one I would highly recom- mend on any visit to the city. oPeninG Hours are: Monday to Saturday 10:00am – 5:30pm (last admission 4:30pm); Sundays and Bank Holidays: 12:00pm – 5:30pm (last admission 4:30pm). TicKeTs: Adults €14; Child tickets from €7 (children under-five FREE); seniors and students €9.00; and family tickets from €35. Save up to 23% when you book online at www.gpowitnesshistory.ie PHone: 01 8721916 or email: info@gpowitnesshistory.ie

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