THE STATE is to issue a stamp next year to celebrate the 150th anniversary of The Irish Timesfollowing a decision of the Cabinet yesterday, when it approved designs for nine new stamps.
A stamp will be produced this year to mark the centenary of the introduction of the old age pension in 1908 by David Lloyd George, which the Cabinet described as "a major social and political milestone in Ireland".
Two stamps are to be issued this year to mark the theme of letter-writing, using light-hearted cartoons of a boy and a girl writing letters, while four will be issued this year to celebrate the Irish film industry.
Three stamps, designed by artist Graham Knuttel, will be released in the summer to mark the Beijing Olympics, representing the sports in which Irish athletes will be taking part: female shot putt, rowing and shooting.
The centenary of the foundation of the National University of Ireland will be marked by a stamp, which will feature the NUI logo, the Star of Knowledge, along with books representing education and learning.
Four stamps representing Irish flora and fauna, three stamps celebrating Ireland's musical tradition and two more representing the links between Ireland and Spain will also be released during the course of this year.
