An Post’s Ninth Definitive Stamp Series, A History of Ireland in 100 Objects, a selection, began life as an original series by Fintan O’Toole of The Irish Times. Over time, the stamp series will feature many of the objects from the fully illustrated hardback book of the series, A History of Ireland in 100 Objects. Starting with the issue of the first 12 stamps and continuing over five years to when the final stamps are issued, you’ll discover more and more about our island’s long history from c.5000BC to the early 21st century.
On 12 January, 2017, An Post introduced the ninth definitive stamp series – A History of Ireland in 100 Objects, a selection. The series is based on Fintan O’Toole’s book, A History of Ireland in 100 Objects, a project which originally involved The Irish Times, The National Museum of Ireland and the Royal Irish Academy. The stamps are represented in photographic format, with each of the objects opening a window into an important moment in Irish history.
Eight SOAR stamps were issued as part of the first phase of this definitive series. The objects featured on this first day cover are a Mesolithic Fish Trap, a Ceremonial Axehead, a Neolithic Bowl, and a Gold Hoard. The Fish Trap from Clowanstown, Co. Meath is made of interwoven sticks and dates from c.5000 BC. It was used by early Irish people to catch fish from lakes or weirs. Dating from 3600 BC, the Ceremonial Axehead from Kincraigy, Co. Donegal is an exotic import from the Italian Alps. It is thought that the Neolithic Bowl with burnished surfaces (c.3500 BC) from a burial at Annagh, Co. Limerick may have been used for drinking. The Coggalbeg, Co. Roscommon Gold Hoard is perhaps a set of regalia, consisting of an Early Bronze Age lunula – a crescent-shaped collar representing the moon – and two gold discs, representing the sun.
READ MORE
