Stamps of Ireland: St. Patrick’s Day (2014)

Ireland Post have issued a stamp to mark Saint Patrick’s Day, one of the world’s best-known national holidays.
Everybody knows about Saint Patrick’s Day, which is named after our patron saint, Saint Patrick (c. AD 385–461). It is celebrated every year, on 17 March, but not just in Ireland.
It is a public holiday here and in Newfoundland, Labrador and Montserrat while the parades and celebrations are big events in the United States, Britain, Canada, Argentina, Australia and New Zealand.
This year’s stamp, designed by respected Dublin-based graphic designer Oonagh Young, is based on a photograph by Edward Coady featuring an image of Saint Patrick. The image is a detail from a stained glass window in Saint Canice’s Church in Kilkenny, which is one of the most important ecclesiastical settlements in Ireland.
The site was founded in the 6th century and it combines the early Christian settlement,the round tower and the Anglo Norman cathedral. In fact, Cill Channigh, or Kilkenny, is the Irish for the Church of Canice, the church that originally stood on the site. Worship has taken place at this site for over 800 years and still takes place there today.
Source: Ireland Post
Released March 14, 2014