IRISH STAMPS AND POSTCARDS

FÁILTE!

Dia Duit agus Fáilte(hello and welcome) to my web page.My name is John and I live in Ireland.I am now 48 years old.My hobbies include collecting Irish stamps and postcards.I am also interested in Irish phonecards and autographs,programmes and memorabalia connected with the Manchester United Football Club.
I have been collecting Irish stamps since 1970.Irish stamps depict the history,culture,language,art,music,literature,sport,spiritualiity and aspirations of the Irish nation.The first Irish stamps were issued in 1922(on independence from Britain) and stamps issued since then show how Ireland has changed over the years.In a way they represent the SOUL of my race.
I collect mint and used Republic of Ireland stamps,mint and used "Northern Ireland"stamps,propaganda stamps and stamps issued by other countries on an Irish theme.
About ten years ago,I started to collect Irish postcards.I have travelled all over Ireland in search of postcards.About five years ago I became interested in Irish phonecards but I am not so enthused about them as stamps.I dislike the advertising(as a non-drinker I find alcohol advertising offensive) and I dislike so called limited and special issues.In 1998,I became connected to the Internet and have,as a result of exchanging postcards with some American friends,started a small but growing collection of cards from USA.
From 6th February 1958(the date of the Munich Air Crash) I have been a supporter of Manchester United.I have autographs of some of their great players from the 1960s,including Bobby Charlton,Dennis Law and George Best and autographs of great players from the 1990s,including Roy Keane,Eric Cantona and Ryan Giggs.

MY EDITORIAL
Until very recently the Irish Post Office had a very conservative policy about issuing stamps.Now sadly too many stamps are issued.The reason is that the Philatelic Bureau is under orders to maximise revenue from collectors.Conversely it is also attempting to promote stamp collecting among newer and younger collectors.My own view is that the Post Office is killing "the Goose who lays the golden eggs".
Successful stamp collecting depends on respectful compromise between the Post Office,the Dealer and the Collector.

MY EXCHANGE POLICY
Simply put,I dont have a policy about exchanging.If I have a duplicate stamp or postcard you need then just let me know.I do not exchange on the basis of catalogue value because I dont have the time or inclination to work it out(I think its something to do with me being Irish).I am always interested in USA postcards,stamps of Irish interest and stamps from countries(eg Israel,Central & South America) which are under-represented in my collections

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT IRISH STAMPS

JOINT ISSUES
Several countries have issued stamps jointly with Ireland:-
USA -SAM
1981 James Hoban (Architect of White House)
1984 John McCormack (Opera Singer)
1999 Irish Migration
GERMANY - AN GHEARMÁIN
1989 Maryrdom of Saints Kilian,Totnan & Colman
FAROES - NA FAORAÍ
1994 Europa (Voyages of St Brendan)
ICELAND - AN ÍOSLAINN
1994 Europa (Voyages of St Brendan)
BELGIUM - AN BHEILG
1995 Battle of Fontenoy (250th Anniversary)
FRANCE - AN FHRAINC
1996 L'Imaginaire Irlandais (Exhibitions)
ISLE OF MAN - OILEÁN MHANANN
1996 Tourist Trophy Irish Winners (Motorcycling)
MEXICO - MEICSICEO
1997 San Patricio Batallion (150th Anniversary)
AUSTRALIA - AN ASTRÁIL
1999 "Polly Whiteside" (Sailing Ship)

WHO'S WHO ON IRISH STAMPS
This is an alphabetical list of the men and women who appear on Irish Stamps.
Mary Aikenhead Religious Foundress 1958 Centenary Death
John Alcock Aviator 1994 75th Anniv First Transatlantic Flight
Eamonn Andrews Broadcaster 1994 Impact of Irish Abroad
Thomas Ashe Patriot 1985 Centenary Birth
J S Bach Composer 1985 European Music Year
John Barry American Patriot 1956 Commemoration
Kevin Barry Patriot 1970 50th Anniv Death
Samuel Beckett Playwright 1994 Irish Nobel Prize Winners
Alexander Graham Bell Inventor 1976 Centenary Telephone
Artie Bell Motor Cyclist 1996 Isle of Man TT Winners
Alec Bennett Motor Cyclist 1996 Isle of Man TT Winners
Louie Bennett Trade Unionist 1996 Europa
Bishop George Berkeley Educator 1985 Tercentenary Birth
Charles Bianconi Postal Pioneer 1986 Bicentenary Birth
Charles Blair Aviator 1998 Pioneers of Irish Aviation
Robert Boyle Inventor 1980 Science & Technology
St Brendan Saint 1984 1500th Anniv Birth
1994 Europa
Arthur Whitten Brown Aviator 1994 75th Anniv First Transatlantic Flight
William Brown Argentine Patriot 1957 Centenary Death
Cathal Brugha Patriot 1987 Statesmen of Ireland
Edward Bunting Musicologist 1993 150th Anniv Death
Edmund Burke Political Philosopher 1994 Impact of Irish Abroad
Robert O'Hara Burke Explorer 1988 Impact of Irish Abroad
Rev Nicholas Callan Scientist 2000 Millenium(Discoveries)
Turlough Carolan Composer/Musician 1985 Europa
Roger Casement Patriot 1966 50th Anniv Death
Eamonn Ceantt Patriot 1966 50th Anniv 1916 Easter Rising
Thomas Clarke Patriot 1958 Centenary Birth
1966 50th Anniv 1916 Easter Rising
Enda Colleran Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Michael Collins Patriot 1990 Statesmen of Ireland
St Colman Saint 1989 1300th Anniv Death
St Colmcille Saint 1997 1400th Anniv Death
James Connolly Patriot 1966 50th Anniv 1916 Easter Rising
1968 Centenary Birth
William T Cosgrave Statesman 1988 Statesmen of Ireland
John A Costello Statesman 1991 Statesmen of Ireland
Richard Crosbie Aeronaut 1985 Bicentenary First Flight by Irishman
Fr James Cullen Priest/Reformer 1999 Centenary Pioneer Total Abstinence Assoc
Marie Curie Chemist 2000 Millenium(Discoveries)
Thomas Davis Patriot 1945 Centenary Death
Michael Davitt Patriot 1946 Centenary Birth
1996 150th Anniv Birth
St Jean B De La Salle Saint 1980 Centenary De La Salle Order in Ireland
Eamon De Valera Statesman 1982 Centenary Birth
Ron Delaney Athlete 1984 Olympic Games
Gerard Dillon Artist 1972 Irish Art
Joey Dunlop Motor Cyclist 1996 Isle of Man TT Winners
Robert Dunlop Motor Cyclist 1996 Isle of Man TT Winners
Thomas Edison Inventor 2000 Millenium(Discoveries)
Albert Einstein Mathematician 2000 Millenium(Discoveries)
Robert Emmet Patriot 1953 150th Anniv Death
Scottus Eriugena Philosopher 1977 1100 Anniv Death
Harry Ferguson Inventor 1980 Science & Technology
John Field Musician 1982 Bicentenary Birth
Barry Fitzgerald Actor 1988 Centenary Birth
Capt James Fitzmaurice Aviator 1998 Pioneers of Irish Aviation
Sean Flanagan Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
St Francis of Assisi Saint 1982 800th Anniv Birth
Galileo Mathematician 2000 Millenium(Discoveries)
Mahatma Ghandi Indian Patriot 1969 Centenary Birth
Ginkel Dutch General 1991 Tercentenary Williamite Wars
Oliver Goldsmith Poet/Writer 1974 Bicentenary Death
Lady Augusta Gregory Writer 1996 Europa
Arthur Griffith Statesman 1986 Statesmen of Ireland
Arthur Guinness Brewer 1959 Bicentenary Guinness Brewery
William Rowan Hamilton Mathematician 1943 Centenary Discovery of Quaternions
G F Handel Composer 1985 European Music Year
Canon John Hayes Agriculture Pioneer 1987 Centenary Birth
Lady Mary Heath Aviator 1998 Pioneers of Irish Aviation
Kevin Heffernan Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Paul Henry Artist 1976 Irish Art
Sir Rowland Hill Postal Pioneer 1979 Centenary Death
James Hoban Architect 1981 150th Anniv Death
John Holland Inventor 1980 Science & Technology
Evie Hone Artist 1969 Irish Art
Douglas Hyde Statesman 1943 50th Anniv Gaelic League
Andrew Jackson U S President 1983 Commemoration
King James ll English Monarch 1990 Tercentenary Williamite Wars
Mainie Jellett Artist 1970 Irish Art
Pope John Paul ll Pope 1979 Papal Visit to Ireland
James Joyce Writer 1982 Centenary Birth
Danno Keeffe Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Grace Kelly Actress 1999 Millenium (People of 20th Century)
Oisin Kelly Sculptor 1975 Irish Art
John F Kennedy U S President 1988 25th Anniv Death
1999 Millenium (People of 20th Century)
Joe Keohane Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Charles Kickham Writer 1982 Centenary Death
St Kilian Saint 1989 1300th Anniv Death
Tommy Langan Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
James Larkin Trade Unionist 1976 Centenary Birth
Sir John Lavery Artist 1993 Impressionist Painters
Louis le Brocquy Artist 1977 Irish Art
W J Leech Artist 1981 Irish Art
1993 Impressionist Painters
Sean Lemass Statesman 1999 Centenary Birth
Thomas MacCurtain Patriot 1970 50th Anniv Death
Sean MacDiarmada Patriot 1966 50th Anniv 1916 Easter Rising
1983 Centenary Birth
Thomas MacDonagh Patriot 1966 50th Anniv 1916 Easter Rising
Micheál MacLiammóir Actor 1999 Irish Actors
Terence MacSwiney Patriot 1970 50th Anniv Death
Catherine McAuley Religious Foundress 1978 Bicentenary Birth
Sean McBride Statesman 1994 Irish Nobel Prize Winners
John McCormack Singer 1984 Centenary Birth
1999 Millenium (People of 20th Century)
Henry Joy McCracken Patriot 1998 Bicentenary 1798 Rebellion
Norah McGuinness Artist 1974 Irish Art
Siobhán McKenna Actress 1999 Irish Actors
Thomas McLaughlin Engineer 1996 Centenary Birth
F E McWilliam Artist 1979 Irish Art
Francis Makemie Presbyterian Minister 1982 300th Anniv Ordination
James Malton Artist 1992 Bicentenary Publication Views of Dublin
Nelson Mandela South African Patriot 1999 Millenium (People of 20th Century)
James Mangan Poet 1949 Centenary Death
Gugliemo Marconi Inventor 1995 Centenary Radio
Countess Markievicz Patriot 1968 Centenary Birth
Mary Martin Religious Foundress 1987 50th Anniv Medical Missionaries of Mary
Fr Theobald Matthew Priest/Reformer 1938 Centenary Temperance Crusade
Thomas Moore Poet/Composer 1952 Centenary Death
Bartholomew Mosse Physician 1995 250th Anniv Rotunda Hospital
William Mulready Postal Pioneer 1986 Bicentenary Birth
Sean Murphy Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Tommy Murphy Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Nano Nagle Religious Foundress 1975 Bicentenary Presentation Nuns
Jawaharial Nehru Indian Statesman 1989 Centenary Birth
Cardinal Newman Theologian 1954 Centenary Catholic University
Kate O'Brien Writer 1997 Centenary Birth
Pat O'Callaghan Athlete 1984 Olympic Games
Sean O'Casey Playwright 1980 Centenary Birth
Michael O'Clery Historian 1944 Tercentenary Death
Pádraic O'Conaire Writer 1982 Centenary Birth
Daniel O'Connell Patriot 1929 Centenary Catholic Emancipation
1997 150th Anniv Death
Martin O'Connell Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Mick O'Connell Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Roderic O'Conor Artist 1993 Impressionist Painters
Thomas O'Crohan Writer 1957 Centenary Birth
Eugene O'Curry Scholar 1962 Centenary Death
Jeremiah O'Donovan Rossa Patriot 1981 150th Anniv Birth
Seán T O'Kelly Statesman 1989 Statesmen of Ireland
Padraig O'Siochfhadha Fokelorist 1983 Centenary Birth
John O'Donovan Scholar 1962 Centenary Death (1961)
Sean O'Neill Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Sir William Orpen Artist 1978 Centenary Death
William Osborne Artist 1993 Impressionist Painters
Jesse Owens Athlete 1999 Millenium (People of 20th Century)
Charles Parnell Patriot 1946 Centenary Birth
1991 Centenary Death
Charles Parsons Inventor 1980 Science & Technology
St Patrick Saint 1961 Patrician Year
Patrick Pearse Patriot 1966 50th Anniv 1916 Easter Rising
1979 Centenary Birth
Sir Horace Plunkett Agriculture Reformer 1994 Centenary Irish Co-Op Org Society
Joseph Plunkett Patriot 1966 50th Anniv 1916 Easter Rising
St Oliver Plunkett Saint 1975 Canonisation
Noel Purcell Actor 1999 Irish Actors
Sean Purcell Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
John Redmond Statesman 1957 Centenary Birth
John Joe Reilly Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Edmund Rice Religious Founder 1944 Centenary Death
1994 150th Anniv Death
Patrick Sarsfield General 1991 Tercentenary Williamite Wars
J P Saul Aviator 1998 Pioneers of Irish Aviation
G D Scarlotti Composer 1985 European Music Year
Patrick Scott Artist 1980 Irish Art
William Scott Artist 1973 Irish Art
George Bernard Shaw Playwright 1980 Europa
1994 Irish Nobel Prize Winners
Mikey Sheehy Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Margaret Burke-Sheridan Singer 1989 Centenary Birth
Pat Spillane Gaelic Footballer 1999 GAA Team of the Millenium
Charles Villiers Stanford Musician 1985 Europa
Bram Stoker Writer 1997 Centenary Publication "Dracula"
Jonothan Swift Writer 1967 Tercentenary Birth
James M Synge Playwright 1971 Centenary Birth
Mother Theresa of Calcutta Religious Foundress 1999 Millenium (People of 20th Century)
Bob Tisdall Athlete 1984 Olympic Games
Theobald Wolfe Tone Patriot 1948 150th Anniv 1798 Rebellion
1964 Bicentenary Birth
1998 Bicentenary 1798 Rebellion
St Totnan Saint 1989 1300th Anniv Death
St Vincent de Paul Saint 1983 150th Anniv St Vincent de Paul Society
Fr Luke Wadding Patriot 1957 Tercentenary Death
John Wesley Evangelist 1997 250th Anniv First Visit to Ireland
Oscar Wilde Playwright 1980 Europa
2000 Centenary Death
King William ll English Monarch 1990 Tercentenary Williamite Wars
Stanley Woods Motor Cyclist 1996 Isle of Man TT Winners
Jack B Yeats Artist 1971 Irish Art
William B Yeats Poet 1965 Centenary Birth
1994 Irish Nobel Prize Winners

MY WANTS LIST

MY WANTS LIST OF IRISH STAMPS
SG 21 Dollard 10s mint
SG 44 Dollard 2s6d mint
SG 45 Dollard 5s mint
SG 46 Dollard 10s mint
SG66 Thom 10s mint
SG85 Narrow 10s mint
SG100 Waterlow 5s mint
SG101 Waterlow 10s mint

MY WANTS LIST OF IRISH POSTCARDS
Ballyhais,Co Cavan
Mountmellick,Co Laois
Portarlington,Co Laois
Bagenalstown,Co Carlow
Kilmacthomas,Co Waterford
Ballyporeen,Co Tipperary
Killenaule,Co Tipperary
Fethard,Co Tipperary
Abbeyfeale,Co Limerick

EMAIL
You can email me at:
craobhruaireland@yahoo.com

MY LINKS

IRISH STAMPS AND POSTCARDS FOR EXCHANGE