AN POST unveiled a special stamp to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Guinness Brewery on St James’s Street, Dublin yesterday.
The 82c 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 enters circulation tomorrow.
Arthur Guinness founded the famous brewery in 1759 when he secured a 9,000-year lease on the St James’s Gate site for £45 per annum. By 1886 St James’s Gate was the world’s largest brewery.
Special guests at the launch included Arthur Guinness’s descendants Lord Iveagh and his sons Arthur and Rupert Guinness.
John Kennedy, managing director of Guinness owner Diageo, thanked An Post for 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 was a symbol of Irish pride in the drink’s success.