A ‘Rainy Day’ Stamp for Ireland

1 January 0001

The design features the blue sky and green fields which typify the Irish landscape, with sheeting rain a key element of the scene. Closer inspection of the design reveals that the metallic silver raindrops are microscopic words in the Irish and English language which are everyday expressions for rain. The stamp carries a ‘W’ (worldwide) designation for international posting.
 
Just as the Inuit have over 50 different words for snow, the Irish have accumulated a similar number describing rain. For example, ‘a soft day’ (a mist), ‘spitting’ (a few drops of rain) and ‘lashing’ (diagonal hard rain) and in Irish ‘ceobhrán’ (drizzle) and ‘brádán’ (misty rain).
 
The concept and design are by Amsterdam based Irish designers, The Stone Twins.  Twins Garech and Declan have taken a witty approach to stamp design using weather to represent Irish identity and the Irish people’s obsession with rain, in all its forms, as a topic of conversation.
 
An Post Commercial Marketing Director, Fiona Heffernan said “An Post is delighted to issue this novel stamp, with popular expressions for rain in both Irish and English.  We know this will appeal to the Irish public as a reflection of themselves but will also to visitors to Ireland who expect and anticipate rain as an essential part of their visit.”
 
‘A Stamp for Ireland’ is the second stamp design by The Stone Twins who commented: “Amongst many things, Ireland is famous for its excessive rainfall. Without it, there would be no lush green fields, and wonderful crops, meat and dairy. Besides, rain is one of the defining characteristics of Irish identity and dominates much of social discourse.” 
 
Rainfall records in Ireland:  The highest rainfall total (3,964.9mm) in Ireland was recorded at Ballaghbearna Gap, Co.Kerry in 1960 while Clonroche, Co. Wexford has the highest rainfall in an hour (52.2mm) on June 27, 1986.

‘A Stamp for Ireland’ is available at selected post offices nationwide and online at www.irishstamps.ie or from the Philatelic Bureau 01-7057400 from 21st February 2019.