An Post unveiled a special stamp to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Guinness brewery on St James’s Street, Dublin today.
The 82 cent stamp, featuring an 18th-century portrait of Arthur Guinness by an unknown artist, covers airmail letter postage to any part of the world.
An additional, specially designed first day cover shows a photograph of the first fleet of Guinness Liffey barges moored at Victoria Quay.
The stamp officially comes into circulation tomorrow.
Arthur Guinness founded the now-famous brewery in 1759 when he secured a 9,000-year lease on the St James's Gate site for the annual sum of £45. By 1886 St James's Gate was the largest brewery in the world, largely down to its founder’s prowess as a brewer.
Special guests at today’s launch included Arthur Guinness’s descendants Lord Iveagh and his sons Arthur and Rupert Guinness.
John Kennedy, managing director of Diageo who produce of Guinness, thanked An Post for its co-operation in putting the stamp into circulation.
“A commemorative Irish stamp ensures an appropriate honouring and celebration of the man Arthur Guinness.” He said. “It’s a fitting tribute from An Post to dedicate a stamp to mark our 250th anniversary.”
An Post chief executive Donal Connell said the stamp is a symbol of an Irish pride in the drink’s success.
“As this stamp travels around the globe it carries with it a strong message of Irish pride in the Guinness tradition, in its commercial success nationally and internationally and in its ability to evolve and adapt to an ever- changing market in an ever-changing world” he said.