The General Post Office (GPO), a striking building by any comparison, was designed by Francis Johnston and cost £50,000 to build. It was opened in 1814. Granite was used throughout except for the portico and its six Ionic columns where Portland Stone was employed. Surmounting the scene are Edward Smyth's sculptures of Mercury, Hibernia and Fidelity. In April1916 the GPO had been occupied as the virtual headquarters of the Rebels during the 1916 Rising and had been set ablaze by the British artillery. In 1929 a reconstructed GPO opened again for business. Advantage had been taken of the destruction along Henry Street to lengthen the building on that side from the original120 f. (36.5 m) to 330 f (100.5 m). A further extensive renovation was carried out in 1984 to mark the creation of An Post, a semi-state company which had been formed from the old Department of Posts and Telegraphs.

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