Kildare's Naas Ball to feature on new stamp

An Post has issued a new stamp booklet celebrating Ireland’s vibrant public art scene.

This series of stamps aims to introduce an even wider public to major works by important Irish artists, and of them will feature 'Perpetual Motion', also locally known as the 'Naas Ball.' 

Created by the design agency Unthink, the booklet (€5.60) contains four 'N' rate national stamps, covering postage all over the island of Ireland.

Speaking from the Tallaght X sculpture, which is situated in Library Square, Director of Combined Arts at The Arts Council of Ireland, Sinéad O'Reilly said: "Public art responds to and adds value to how we connect as people to each other and to our places and public spaces. 

"Some works are iconic and prominent landmarks, others more discreet, meaningful interventions that also include new music, books, films and performances created by artists and communities together."

Ms O'Reilly: "It is wonderful that An Post have chosen to celebrate a number of iconic public art works through this stamp collection."

Tallaght X’s Sculptor, Eileen Mac Donagh, also said: "Having my sculpture on a stamp for me is a huge acknowledgement of my work over nearly 40 years dedicated to making sculpture."

An Post’s Stamp Design Manager, Aileen Mooney, thanked the artists featured on the stamp series.

She said: "Congratulations to the artists involved, we are delighted to feature their well-loved sculptures on our latest series of art themed stamps."

Ms Mooney added: "This issue is sure to be popular with art lovers and in the communities where each of the sculptures are permanently exhibited."

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RANGE AND BEAUTY

The new stamps aim to represent the range and beauty of public art across Ireland.

Both the booklet and specially designed First Day Cover envelope (FDC) are available in selected post offices nationwide and online at www.anpost.com/shop. 

The stamps feature four iconic sculptures: Perpetual Motion in Naas, County Kildare by Remco de Fouw and Rachel Joynt; Polestar in Letterkenny, County Donegal by Locky Morris; Riders and Horses in Mallow, County Cork by Michael Quane; and Tallaght X in Dublin by Eileen Mac Donagh. 

There are thousands of public artworks in Ireland.

Many of these artworks were commissioned through the Per Cent for Arts Scheme, a government initiative established in 1978 by the Office of Public Works and extended across all government departments in 1997.

This scheme allocates up to one percent of public construction budgets to art commissions.

Local authorities often include a requirement in other public realm developments to include a commissioned artwork.