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Brill-ately
An Post's anniversary tribute to Seamus Heaney is beautiful
For when you want to rest the squat pen between finger and thumb and, you know, write a letter…
AN POST TODAY released a special stamp and envelope to commemorate the first anniversary of Seamus Heaney’s death.
The Nobel Laureate died on 30 August last year, and to honour him, An Post has put out a 68c stamp, designed by Dublin-based Vermillion Design, featuring a black and white photograph of the beloved poet, taken by John Minihan.
In addition, a special First Day cover envelope was released today featuring excerpts from Heaney’s well-known 1969 poem Bogland, with some of his own poetry notes, provided by the National Library.
Reacting to An Post’s elegant tribute to his father, Michael Heaney released this statement today:
We are immensely moved that An Post has chosen to mark Dad’s memory with the issue of this stamp.
The year since he died has been a sad time for our family, but this is not only a wonderful testament to his life and work, but also a reminder of the generosity and support people have shown since Dad’s passing.
Heaney has already been honoured with an Irish stamp. In 2004, he was featured on a joint Irish-Swedish commemoration of Nobel laureates, along with Samuel Beckett, WB Yeats and GB Shaw.
Both the commemorative stamp and envelope are available to view and buy at all main post offices, the GPO Stamp Shop in Dublin, and online at IrishStamps.ie.
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