New stamp commemorates the bicentenary of the birth of Thomas Davis
9 October 2014
The 68c stamp, designed by Irish design agency Conor & David, features an engraving of Thomas Davis taken from the book Memoirs of an Irish Patriot by Charles Gavan Duffy (courtesy of the National Library of Ireland). The formal unveiling took place at The House of Lords, Bank of Ireland, College Green, Dublin.
Speaking at the unveiling, Barney Whelan, Director of Communications and Public Affairs with An Post, said the stamp marked the remarkable life of a remarkable individual. “We hope this stamp will serve as a reminder to those who already know of Davis but also re-introduce him to a new generation,” he said.
Thomas Davis, born in Mallow, County Cork October 14th, 1814 graduated from Trinity College in 1836 and was called to the Irish Bar but never practiced.
In 1842 Davis, along with Charles Gavan Duffy and John Blake Dillon, he co-founded The Nation newspaper where his writings and campaigning journalism provided a new focus for ideas of Irish nationhood. Many, including Pádraig Pearse and Arthur Griffith, claimed Davis as their inspiration. He was the chief organiser for the Young Ireland movement and the author of stirring ballads such as ‘The West Awake’ and ‘A Nation Once Again’.
The stamp and First Day Cover are available to view and purchase at the GPO Dublin, at main post offices and online at www.irishstamps.ie.
Déanann stampa nua comóradh dhá chéad bliain ar bhreith Thomáis Dáibhéis
9 Deireadh Fómhair 2014: Nocht an tUasal Sean Sherlock T.D., Aire Stáit ag an Roinn Gnóthaí Eachtracha stampa inniu atá eisithe ag An Post chun comóradh dhá chéad bliain a dhéanamh ar bhreith Thomáis Daibhéis.
Ar an stampa 68c, atá deartha ag an áisíneacht Éireannnach deartha Conor & David, tá greanadh de Thomás Dáibhéis atá tógtha ón leabhar Memoirs of an Irish Patriot by Charles Gavan Duffy (le caoinchead ó Leabharlann Náisiúnta na hÉireann). Tharla an nochtadh foirmiúil i dTeach na dTiarnaí, Banc na hÉireann, Faiche an Choláiste, Baile Átha Cliath.
Ag labhairt dó ag an nochtadh, dúirt Barney Whelan, Stiúrthóir Cumarsáide agus Gnóthaí Poiblí le An Post, gur chomharthaigh an stampa saol suntasach d’fhear ar leith. “Tá súil againn go dtabharfaidh an stampa seo an Dáibhéiseach ar ais chun cuimhne dóibh siúd a bhfuil eolas acu cheana féin faoi ach go gcuirfidh sé in aithne é freisin do ghlúin nua,” a dúirt sé.
Rugadh Tomás Dáibhéis i Mala, Contae Chorcaí ar 14 Deireadh Fómhair 1814. Bhain sé céim amach i gColáiste na Tríonóide in 1836 agus glaodh chun an bharra Éireannach é ach níor chleacht sé riamh.
In 1842 bhunaigh an Dáibhéiseach, in éineacht le Charles Gavan Duffy agus John Blake Dillon, an nuachtán The Nation áit ar sholáthair a chuid scríbhneoireachta agus a chuid iriseoireachta feachtasaíochta fócas nua ar smaointe faoi náisiúntacht na hÉireann. Mhaígh go leor, Pádraig Mac Piarais agus Art Ó Gríofa ina measc, gurbh é an Dáibhéiseach a bhí mar inspioráid acu. Ba é go príomha a d’eagraigh an ghluaiseacht Éire Óg agus chum sé bailéid spreagúla ar nós ‘The West’s Awake’ agus ‘A Nation Once Again’.
Tá an stampa agus an Clúdach Céad Lae ar fáil le feiceáil agus le ceannach ag Ard-Oifig an Phoist, Baile Átha Cliath, ag príomhoifigí poist agus ar líne ar www.irishstamps.ie.
