The first Irish Braille postage stamp was launched at a ceremony in Cork yesterday to mark the 30th anniversary of the Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind organisation.
The 48 cent stamp, which features a silhouette of a red guide dog against a pale yellow background, incorporates a number of special design features to facilitate visually-impaired and blind customers. These include Braille embossing on the 48 cent lettering and the use of typography and bigger font size to maximise visibility.
The function to publicise the stamp at the organisation's headquarters in Cork was attended by its patron, retired footballer Roy Keane, who was sporting a new beard.
Speaking at the event, communications minister Noel Dempsey said that Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind had trained more than 500 guide dog partnerships since its inception. He also noted that a pilot project to provide assistance dogs to the families of children with autism had been launched recently.