Press release
Minister Naughton reveals new series of stamps from An Post celebrating Irish women in sport
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of the Environment, Climate and Communications
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister of State with responsibility for Postal Services, Hildegarde Naughton, secured government approval this week for the designs of the next series of stamps to be issued by An Post.
Minister Naughton welcomed the new designs, which include a six-stamp programme celebrating Irish women in sport, which is particularly poignant as the world celebrates International Women’s Day on 8 March.
The series includes designs for six stamps to mark Irish women in sport. This topic celebrates the success of Irish women across a broad spectrum of sports. This six-stamp series will feature: Sonia O’Sullivan; Katie Taylor; Kellie Harrington; Rachael Blackmore; Ellen Keane; and the Irish Women’s Hockey Team.
The new series – Art on a Stamp – looks back over 100 years of stamps. It is a selection from the best of Irish artists and designers who have contributed to Irish stamps over the last century. Each of the stamps selected has previously been approved by Government as part of a commemorative stamp programme. The new series includes 36 stamps – in three sets of 12. It is expected that this set of stamps will be available for a period of about four years.
The new series also includes a stamp to mark the centenary of the death of Michael Collins.
Welcoming the new suite of stamp designs, Minister Naughton said:
"These stamps celebrate the achievements of Irish women in sport – not just here in Ireland but on a world stage. It is especially fitting that these stamps will be issued by An Post ahead of International Women’s Day, which takes places this year on Tuesday, 8 March.
"It is only right and proper that we celebrate the success of Irish women in sport and what better time to do it than to mark International Women’s Day. I for one have the utmost respect for the Irish women in sport who are key role models to young girls – the length and breadth of the country. They demonstrate how strength, resilience and determination can pay off when you, or your team, set a goal and strive to achieve it. We have a lot to be proud of in Ireland when it comes to our female athletes. They have led the way for women in sport on the global stage. Long may it last and here’s to boundless success for future generations of Irish women and girls."
ENDS
The new Art on a Stamp series marks the Decade of Centenary commemorations. The postage stamp is an everyday symbol of sovereignty and the Art on a Stamp series will depict Ireland’s rich history and culture over the past 100 years.
The stamp images were selected from existing commemorative stamps dating from 1922 to 2022. The selected stamps capture a mix of media – painting, illustration and photography, including the highest calibre of artwork and designs. For this series, An Post established a sub-committee which included expert advice on the selection of artwork. An Post identified 36 suitable images.
The next definitive series of stamps – Art on a Stamp – will be the tenth series. The current set, based on A History of Ireland through its objects was introduced in January 2017 and will be phased out in early 2022.
The Definitive Series of Stamps is different to the Annual Commemorative Stamp Programme in that it deals with a suite of topics under a particular theme.