Ireland — Stamps & Postal Service

Postal Service Overview

An Post is Ireland’s national postal service, a state-owned commercial company established under the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983. Irish philatelic history begins with the Irish Free State’s 1922 provisional overprints on British stamps, marking independence from the United Kingdom. An Post operates a dedicated philatelic bureau producing commemorative and definitive stamps that reflect Irish culture, heritage, and the Irish diaspora worldwide. Ireland is a highly regarded philatelic country among British Commonwealth collectors.

Notable Stamp Issues

The 1922 provisional overprints — British stamps overprinted “Rialtas Sealadach na hÉireann 1922” (Provisional Government of Ireland) by the Dollard Printing House — are Ireland’s philatelic birth certificates. The subsequent 1922–1923 Saorstat Éireann overprints followed. Ireland’s first pictorial definitives featured the Map of Ireland (1922), harp, and sword — simple but charming designs. The 1937 Castles series definitives are enduringly popular. Notable commemoratives include the 1941 Easter Rising 25th anniversary and many Irish literary and cultural figures.

Collecting Tips

The Hibernian Catalogue (published in Dublin) is the standard Irish reference. The 1922 Dollard overprints exist in numerous varieties — different typefaces, overprint positions, and errors — making expertisation important. Forgeries of rare overprint varieties circulate. Irish definitives across their various series (Map, Sword, Harp, Castles) are an affordable specialist area. Plate varieties of the classic period are documented by the Irish Philatelic Circle.

Part of the Europe Postal Directory.