The Philatelic Service paid tribute to 25 subjects in 2008 with the issue of 43 special and commemorative stamps. Some of the many highlights of the stamp programme were the 2008 Ireland Series, which celebrated the work of Paul Henry, depicting his iconic landscapes in four se-tenant stamps and the “Filmed in Ireland” issue of four stamps set out as film strips, illustrating four great movies filmed on our shores.

2008 also heralded a few firsts for the Irish Philatelic Service including the issue of the “Year of Planet Earth” series of two circular self-adhesive stamps designed by Richard Chaney and the introduction of the Postal Services Centres at various locations and a strip of four x 55c labels.

Other issues of note include the Graham Knuttel designed Beijing Olympic Games, the second in our Irish Music series and a joint issue with the Spanish Postal Service, Correos, entitled “Popular Dance”.

In December 2008, a new Non Value Indicator or “NVI” rate self-adhesive stamp was issued from the Sixth Definitive series, entitled “Wild Flowers of Ireland” featuring the Yellow horned-Poppy and printed using US printers, Ashton Potter, for the first time.

In addition to the annual special, commemorative and definitive stamps, the Philatelic Service also issued six Miniature Sheets, two Prestige Booklets for the “Ireland Series – Paul Henry Landscapes” and “Filmed in Ireland” and a limited edition sheetlet for “The International Year of Planet Earth”.

An array of annual products were also printed, including a Year Pack and a First Day Cover collection. Once again, the Irish Stamps Year book was produced to the highest standards of design in text and imagery, featuring all issues from the annual programme in both a standard design and luxury edition.