An Post is ‘Keeping it Country’ with New Country Music Stamp Booklet
1 April 2023
Featuring Daniel O’Donnell, Philomena Begley, Cliona Hagan, Nathan Carter and the late Big Tom
Dublin, Ireland - An Post is keeping it country with the release of their first collection of Country Music stamps featuring five of Ireland's most iconic country music stars. A tribute to the deep-rooted love of country music in Ireland, each of the five new stamps features a beloved artist who has captured the hearts of music fans across all generations including Daniel O'Donnell, Philomena Begley, Cliona Hagan, Nathan Carter, and the late Big Tom.
This new collection of stamps was unveiled by the artists on the Late Late Show Country Music Special (Friday, 31st March). Speaking about being featured in the Keeping It Country stamps, Daniel O’Donnell said: “When I was on a concert tour of North America last year and sending out some letters, I was using stamps with Elvis on them. I never imagined my face being on a postage stamp in Ireland. It’s beyond comprehension that this has also happened for me. I congratulate all the other stars featured on the stamps and also express my gratitude to An Post for honouring Irish Country music in this way.”
Announcing the new stamps, Aileen Mooney of An Post’s Irish Stamps Manager commented, "We're proud to celebrate the best of Irish culture and talent, and country music is the perfect example of a music genre loved by all ages that brings communities together. We hope this collection will serve as a lasting reminder of Ireland's rich musical heritage and inspire future generations of country music artists and fans at home and abroad."
An Post is inviting all country music fans to join in the celebration of Ireland's country music scene by adding these unique stamps to their collection or gifting to a friend. The five stamp booklet is priced €8.45 with three ‘N’ rate stamps for postage within the island of Ireland and two ‘W’ rate stamps for postage worldwide.
Stamp booklets and a special limited edition first day cover envelope are available online at anpost.com/country (with free delivery) and in post offices across the country while stocks last.
The stamp designs, by Detail design studio are based on classic country music print posters and billboards, a familiar sight to fans attending local concerts and dances over the years.
One of Ireland’s newest Country music stars, Cliona Hagan added: “Words fail me, and it’s not often they do! But for anybody to be put on a postage stamp is the privilege of a lifetime. For people such as Nathan and myself of a younger generation, it’s wonderful to be featured alongside the other iconic Country stars and I feel humbled and honoured to be among those greats.”
Big Tom’s daughter Aishling McBride-Duffy said it was lovely that people cared about their late dad so much as to have his face on a stamp. It is an amazing achievement and we are all chuffed to bits about this. It’s a complete honour and adds to his legacy”, she added.
Nathan Carter expressed his delight at the honour of being on the An Post stamp. “My emigrant Irish great-grandparents, Winnie and Jimmy O’Neill, would be shocked beyond belief at this. I feel very honoured to be part of such an illustrious line-up as well.
“It also goes to show the popularity of the genre that is Irish Country music all over Ireland and abroad. God only knows where my face is going to end up now on letters – it could be in Australia or America or Japan – who knows?” added Nathan.
The Queen of Country in Ireland, Philomena Begley laughed when told she was going to be on a stamp. “I thought only national heroes, world leaders, famous film stars, inventors, and others of importance such as politicians or kings and queens ended up on stamps. I wouldn’t have imagined the likes of me being on a stamp with all those famous people. But then I suppose maybe a Country Queen is no exception either!”