New GPO visitor centre brings our history to life through technology
By Maurice Garvey
FORMER Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave came face-to-face with a larger than life-size image of his late father W.T. Cosgrave, during the opening of An Post’s GPO Witness History visitor centre.
Cosgrave (95), a Knocklyon resident, admired, with his daughter, a photograph of his father – Ireland’s first Taoiseach – during a visit to the opening of the history centre.
The new centre is one of the State’s permanent 2016 ‘Reminder’ projects for which the Department of Arts provided funds of €7 million.
An Post GPO Witness History is an immersive, interactive visitor attraction bringing history to life though technology, video, sound and authentic artefacts.
It has special effects, soundscapes, and heartfelt stories of real people in extraordinary circumstances to captivate visitors.
Cosgrave was elected as a Fine Gael TD in 1943, was leader of the party from 1965, served as Taoiseach from 1973-77, and retired from politics in 1981.
His time as Taoiseach was not an easy one. Although he managed to ensure Ireland became a member of the UN and foster good working relations with Europe, his conservatism and position on contraception and austerity policy damaged the government at the time.
For details on the An Post GPO Witness History centre, which is open seven days a week, visit www.gpowitnesshistory.ie
