30 May 2023
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Ireland was one of 25 countries to issue Peace-themed postage stamps on 9 May, as a mark of solidarity with Ukraine.
Postal members of the PostEurope body have all issued the same striking international stamp featuring a Celtic knot to symbolise a peacefully integrated, cooperative society, where people respect each other’s culture.
An Post has also issued a national stamp showing colourful doves of peace by Irish designer Ailbhe Phelan, covering postage within the island of Ireland.
In addition to a range of practical banking, address, translation and mobile phone supports for the Ukrainian community, An Post has also provided free delivery for more than 150,000 parcels of much needed essential supplies back to Ukraine, to keep family and friends connected and supported.
“An Post and the local post office network continues to be an essential lifeline for our Ukrainian community”, said Jack Chambers TD, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications at the unveiling of the special Peace stamps.
“Keeping families connected and supported through the free shipping of 150,000 essential care packages from Ireland back to Ukraine has made lives just a little more bearable in the most awful of circumstances.
“By issuing these pan-European stamps, An Post and its postal peers across Europe are sending a powerful message of solidarity with Ukraine, and the promise of unfaltering support and friendship from Ireland”.
Gerasko Larysa, Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland welcomed the new stamps saying:
“We thank An Post and the PostEurope members for this powerful expression of solidarity with Ukraine through the release of postage stamps which will carry this message across the globe.
“An Post’s support for the postage of so many essential parcels back to our war-torn country, to help alleviate severe shortages and physical and psychological suffering means the world to the Ukrainian people everywhere. We thank them for their constant humanity, generosity and friendship”, she added.
The two ‘Peace – the highest value of humanity’ stamps are available at main post offices and online at anpost.com/shop.