Sunday 16 September 2018

Eire in Europe

1995: Europa - Peace and Freedom (Designer - Robert Ballagh)
The theme for the 1995 Europa stamps was Peace and Freedom and the Irish artist and designer chosen for this set was Robert Ballagh, a prolific stamp designer for decades and a fun fact for the dance enthusiast, he was the set designer for Riverdance.  He has a rather nice website that showcases his work here.  I noticed Ireland's An Post had a postcard booklet of some of his designs

my finger was hovering over the 'buy' button. I love the cover and wonder where that road might take us
1999: Europa - Parks and Gardens (Design F O'Connor)
perhaps to the west of Ireland and Kilcolman Nature Reserve in County Cork often referred to as Kilcolman Bog but it actually is a rare example of a limestone fen and a wintering ground for many water birds.  If wanting a trip to combine town and green spaces then head for the 1,750 acre Phoenix Park in Dublin
1998: Europa - Festivals (J Dunne)
If it is August then the Gathering of the Boats at Kinvara in Galway Bay is quite a sight or head for the stunningly beautiful County Kerry and the Puck Fair whose origin is lost in antiquity. It lasts for three days and a goat is caught in the mountains and brought into town where a school girl who has been crowned queen for the festival will crown him King Puck. The goat will be fed and watered, looked after by a vet and then at the end of the festivities released back into the mountains. I'm hoping it looks on it as a little holiday.  There is no goat trade union so I don't know its rights 
1996: Europa - Famous Women (Design - S Young)
but Louise Bennet fighter for women's emancipation and trade union rights would be the person to set one up. After all this activity maybe it is time to visit the Abbey Theatre one of whose founders was Lady Augusta Gregory opening its doors in 1904 with one act plays by her, WB Yeats and JM Synge the Irish National Theatre was born.
Aughrim Post Office and An Post van, County Wicklow



This week's Sunday Stamps II prompt of the Letter E -  for Eire, Europa and emancipation - See It On A Postcard

5 comments:

agi said...

a nice selection - which also serves as interesting tips for what to see when in ireland :) i should imagine that the crowning festivity isn't all that stress-free for a goat, but then again goats are so cool and love attention..!

Mail Adventures said...

These are all nice stamps. Women and stamps, you know, always attrack my attention.

FinnBadger said...

A clever double E for today, with a nice selection of stamps. I would have bought those postcards, I think.

Maria said...

Nice selection for letter E! I enjoyed looking at these Eire stamps.

Bob Scotney said...

I'm missing out on such stunning Eire stamps as these - mine are much more mundane.