The Philatelic Service paid tribute to 24 subjects in 2009 with the issue of 47 special and commemorative stamps. Among the many highlights of the 2009 stamp programme was the 250th Anniversary of the Guinness Brewery which was commemorated with the issue of a special elongated stamp depicting its philanthropic founder Arthur Guinness.

The stamp issue marking the bicentenary of the birth of Louis Braille, which issued in January 2009, stood out as it incorporated the use of Braille. Significantly for the Company, 2009 was the 25th Anniversary of An Post. This was marked with the issue of 10 stamps representing different aspects of our business and replacing the definitive booklets and boxes of stamps for the year.

With the Volvo Ocean Race making a stopover in Galway in May 2009, two beautiful stamps were designed by renowned artist Vincent Killowry to mark the occasion. The stamps depicted the competing Irish entry in action in what is known as the ‘Everest of Sailing’ round the world yacht race.

Other issues of note for the Irish Philatelic Service include a diamond shaped stamp commemorating the 150th Anniversary of The Irish Times, the use of Jim Larkin’s image as he addressed the crowd on a stamp marking a century since the Founding of the ITGWU and three portrait style stamps for our Modern Irish Playwrights issue.

In addition to the annual special and commemorative issues, the Philatelic Service also issued five miniature sheets, one prestige booklet for the classical composers and a set of prints for the Volvo Ocean Race issue.

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