GPO Witness History, General Post Office, Dublin, Ireland
GPO Witness History is the flagship project of Ireland’s decade of commemoration. The key challenges were integrating adequate new spaces into the fabric of an iconic listed building, the world’s oldest operational general post office, and presenting the contested history of the Easter Rising in an inclusive and interactive manner. Themed zones in the design present four historical periods leading to the Rising, and five resulting from it. A montage of posters on a brick wall communicate the social cultural and political issues in each period. An interactive pictorial narrative highlights the personal narrative inherent in every displayed object. Videos present opposing commentaries on key issues. Visitors can record their own opinions on these issues. A commemoration gallery charts the separate evolution of two Irish states and the all-Ireland institutions resulting from the peace process.