Ireland - US Relations 1924-2024 - International Stamp

Ireland and the United States have, for many generations, shared a very close relationship. This has been forged through ancestral links, beneficial economic ties and cultural developments. On February 22, we acknowledge the centenary of the opening of formal diplomatic relations between the two countries by issuing a special stamp.

On October 7, 1924, Timothy A. Smiddy became the Minister Plenipotentiary of the new Irish Free State in Washington. In July 1927, the American Legation was founded in Dublin and Frederick A. Sterling became the American Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary. In 1952, the Irish Ambassador to the US sent a box of shamrock to the American President Truman. This tradition has now evolved into an annual symbolic presentation by An Taoiseach to the US President at the White House on St Patrick’s Day. It is most appropriate then that the central feature of our ‘W’ denomination stamp is a bowl of shamrock, together with the two countries’ flags.

Keep an eye out for this stamp that will have great significance for all collectors but also for those communicating with the Irish diaspora in the US. It’s also available in sheets of four.

Product code 2403W