An Post launches Ryder Cup commemorative stamps

31 July 2006

Each of the four stamps in the set depicts the progress of a golf ball around the course in a competition round and incorporates the internationally recognised Irish shamrock, echoing the way Irish players mark their ball in competition.

The 36th Ryder Cup will be the biggest sporting event ever to be hosted in Ireland, attracting over 40,000 spectators each day.

“This is one of the world’s largest sporting events and we want to celebrate Ireland’s hosting of it this year” said Barney Whelan, Head of Corporate Affairs for An Post. “It will be a great occasion for everyone in the country, regardless of your interest in golf.”

In early September, An Post will also issue two special edition Ryder Cup stamps, with an innovative design feature which has never been seen in Ireland, has rarely been seen internationally and has never been used for a Ryder Cup stamp, making it a unique souvenir of the event.

Although this is the first time Ireland has hosted the Ryder Cup, Irish golfers have made a huge contribution to the competition, participating in numerous teams since the Ryder Cup started in 1927.

Last year, An Post issued a set of stamps to pay tribute to that contribution. This set included one stamp featuring winning Irish trio Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley holding aloft the 2002 Ryder Cup, another featuring portraits of Eamonn Darcy, Christy O’Connor and Philip Walton, and a third featuring Christy O’Connor Senior – who played in ten consecutive Ryder Cups - Ronan Rafferty and the late Harry Bradshaw.

Designed by Javelin, the stamps are now available from main Post Offices nationwide, GPO Dublin, by phone at 01 705 7400 and online at www.irishstamps.ie.

The stamps are also available in mini sheets, three first day covers, boxes of 100 and a self-adhesive strip of four.

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