Former Taoiseach Liam Cosgrave commemorated in Stamp
12 August 2020
An Post has issued a new stamp to mark the centenary of the birth of Liam Cosgrave. Designed by Post Studio, the stamp and a commemorative First Day Cover (FDC) feature the portrait of Liam Cosgrave by Edward McGuire RHA which hangs in Leinster House (courtesy of the Office of Public Works).
Today (Tuesday) framed editions of the stamp were presented to Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and members of the Cosgrave family by An Post CEO David McRedmond at Government Buildings. Speaking at the event, the Tanaiste said ‘This is a fitting tribute to a man who devoted his life to public service. Liam Cosgrave will be remembered as man of great integrity who worked tirelessly to protect and defend the democratic institutions of the state and establish power-sharing in Northern Ireland. This stamp marks his legacy and is a testament to what he did for his country.’
The stamp and FDC are available at the GPO, Dublin; selected post offices nationwide, online at anpost.com/shop or from the Philatelic Bureau at Tel: 01-7057400.
Born on the 13th of April 1920, the son of the former Taoiseach WT Cosgrave, he attended Synge Street CBS and Castleknock College, before studying at King’s Inn and being called to the bar in 1943. His political career began with his election as a Fine Gael deputy to Dáil Éireann, representing Dublin County. From 1948, he represented Dún Laoghaire/ Rathdown and was re-elected at every election from then until his retirement in 1981.
In 1954 he was appointed Minister of External Affairs (now Foreign Affairs). He was elected as leader of Fine Gael in 1965, beating James Dillon to the position, and after a successful election campaign, he became Taoiseach in 1973.
Following Fine Gael’s election defeat in 1977, Liam Cosgrave resigned as leader of Fine Gael and then as a TD for Dún Laoghaire in 1981. Liam Cosgrave died in October 2017, aged 97. President Michael D Higgins led tributes to the former Taoiseach and Fine Gael leader saying, “Liam Cosgrave was committed to serving the people of Ireland with all of his energy, intellect as well as passion”. That message of tribute is included as a feature of the FDC.