The first euro coins for 2006 were unveiled by the Central Bank and the Wildlife Service, in Glenveagh National Park, in Donegal, yesterday.
A limited edition of 40,000 sets which are packaged in material commemorating Glenveagh National Park will be on sale to the public from Wednesday next at a cost of €22 each.
This is the fourth in a series of coin sets produced by the Central Bank, which feature some of Ireland's national monuments, parks, gardens and nature reserves.
Previous series have featured the Casino at Marino in Dublin, Reginald's Tower in Waterford, and Heywood Gardens in Co Laois.
Glenveagh National Park contains some 14,000 hectares of mountain, raised bogland, lakes and woodlands and includes the two highest mountains in Donegal, Errigal and Slieve Sneacht.
The 19th century Glenveagh Castle with its neo-Gothic architecture is complete with ramparts, turrets and a round tower.
Glenveagh Castle is also home to a number of Golden Eagles, reintroduced to the area in 2001 after an absence of almost 100 years.
This year the Central Bank produced just over 300 million coins for general use in Ireland.
The total number of euro coins issued by the Central Bank to date is around 2.9 billion - one of the highest figures per head in the euro area.
An order form for the 2006 coin set is available from the Central Bank and can be obtained by phoning 1890- 307 607 or from the website, www.centralbank.ie
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