New Stamps and Exhibition Mark Cork 2005

4 March 2005

Cork, Friday March 4, 2005: Two new 48 cent postage stamps celebrating Cork 2005: European Capital of Culture were launched by Mr Micheál Martin TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment at City Hall, Cork today.

Designed by Cork theatre and interior design specialist, Mr Patrick Murray, the two stamps sit side-by-side to complete a colourful condensed panorama of famous Cork buildings either side of the city’s St Patrick’s Bridge.

An Post’s celebration of Cork 2005 continues at the recently refurbished GPO in Oliver Plunkett Street with an exhibition of artwork for stamps issued since 1922 featuring people and places with particular relevance to Cork history, culture, politics and sport. Stamp subjects featured include Michael Collins, Frank O’Connor, Christy Ring, Roy Keane, Fastnet Lighthouse and Garinish Island. The public exhibition will continue until the end of May.

The new stamps will be available from March 7, 2005 at main Post Offices and online at www.irishstamps.ie A special First Day Cover and limited edition framed sheet of the Cork 2005 stamps will also be available.

Speaking at City Hall, the Minister said he was proud to launch the two new postage stamps celebrating Cork as the 2005 European Capital of Culture:

“I would like to congratulate Cork artist Patrick Murray and An Post on the wonderful designs which capture the culture of this city and illustrate beautifully why Cork is the 2005 European Capital of Culture,” he said.

An Post Chief Executive, Mr Donal Curtin said that as a Corkman, it was a great pleasure for him to be back on home ground and to be associated through An Post with such an important event in life of Cork city.

“I know that over the coming months these stamps will be bought by the thousands of visitors who will come here to join in the many cultural events and activities marking celebration. By virtue of their function, they carry overseas the messages of our celebrations this year in Cork,” he said.