An Post chooses round towers to celebrate Monuments Act

The 75th anniversary of the National Monuments Act is being celebrated by An Post with a set of four postage stamps, each depicting one of Ireland's round towers.

The towers, each representing one of the four provinces, have been drawn in pen and ink by artist Michael Craig, who drew the originals to a stamp-size scale.

An Post has chosen heritage-inspired themes before, most usually animals, birds and flowers. This is the first time a symbol celebrating the archaeological and architectural heritage has been featured.

As heritage is among the most controversial of issues today, with preservation versus development consistently at odds, the selection of the round tower, the origins of which caused intense debate in 19th century Irish antiquarian circles, is an apt one.

Invariably found at monastic sites, such as the four selected towers of Glendalough, Co Wicklow; Ardmore, Co Waterford; Clones, Co Monaghan; and the singular leaning tower at Kilmacduagh, Co Galway, the towers, for all their splendour, were practical structures.

They probably contained the bell which summoned the monks to prayer. Known in Irish as cloigtheach, or "bell house", it is likely that this was one of their functions. Yet, as is evident from many of the 65 surviving towers around the country, most have entrances set well above ground level which suggests that the towers were all places of sanctuary at times of attack.

If the monks sought refuge in them, it also follows that the towers would have provided security for articles of value such as altar vessels and manuscripts.

Built between the 9th and 12 centuries, the round towers are remarkable as feats of engineering and the mason's art.

In commissioning Michael Craig, An Post has added an additional heritage aspect to a subtle and dignified project.