Irish First Issue

About Irish First Issue

The first stamps of independent Ireland, issued in 1922 after independence from Britain. Featured Irish symbols including the Sword of Light and the Irish wolfhound. British stamps overprinted with Rialtais Sealada na hEireann, meaning Provisional Government of Ireland, were used temporarily. The first permanent Irish designs were based on ancient Celtic art. Irish stamp design established a distinctive visual identity separate from British colonial traditions.