Douglas Hyde – President of Ireland

150th Anniversary of the Birth of Douglas Hyde – President of Ireland.

21/01/2010

The First President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde was born on 17 January 1860 near Castlerea, County Roscommon.  Seven years later his family moved to Frenchpark, County Roscommon, where his father served as a Church of Ireland clergyman.  Growing up, he took a great interest in the Irish language.

This interest continued when he moved to Dublin to study at Trinity College.  Also fluent in French, Latin, German, Greek and Hebrew, he embarked on a career as a distinguished scholar.  In 1893 he was a founder member and first President of Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League), an organisation set up to preserve and promote the Irish language.

Appointed as a Senator after the formation of the Irish Free State, he lost his seat in 1925 when the Seanad became an elected body, after a false claim that he was in favour of divorce.  He returned to his career as an academic, working as Professor of Irish at University College, Dublin.

By 1938, he had retired.  However, he was appointed again to the Seanad, and then he was named first President of Ireland later that same year.

He proved immensely popular in this role, which he carried out until 25 June 1945, despite suffering a massive stroke in 1940.  After leaving office, he moved into a new home on the grounds of Áras an Úachtaráin.  He passed away on 12 July 1949.

The stamp and first day cover were designed by Q Design.  The stamp features a photographic portrait, by Keogh Brothers Ltd., of Dr. Douglas Hyde in relaxed pose.  The first day cover design shows Dr. Hyde entering St. Patrick’s Cathedral prior to his inauguration as first President of Ireland.  Stamps and first day cover images are courtesy of the National Library of Ireland.

Products available with this issue:

• 150th Anniversary of the birth of Douglas Hyde –
  President of Ireland 55c stamp (100255)    €0.55
• 150th Anniversary of the birth of  Douglas Hyde –
  President of Ireland 55c stamp sheetlet (100255SH)  €8.80
• 150th Anniversary of birth of Douglas Hyde –
  President of Ireland FDC (1002FDC)    €1.55

The stamps are available from main Post Offices, through our online shop or from the GPO Philatelic Shop, Dublin 1.

 

 

 

 

 

                 

 

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