Rosemount sword to feature on new An Post stamp

A sword found near Rosemount is to feature on one of a series of new stamps issued by An Post.

This is part of Phase IV of its Ninth Definitive Stamp Series based on Fintan O’Toole’s book, ‘A History of Ireland in 100 Objects’.

The Ballinderry Sword, is a mid-ninth century Viking sword comprising a blade believed to have been made in Rheinland, and a hilt fashioned by a Norwegian craftsman. Both elements are inscribed with the makers’ names.

It was one of a number of items found on the site of a crannóg in a bog at Ballinderry, Rosemount, the others being a longbow, two spearheads, an axe head and a gaming board. Archaeologists believe the crannóg dates from sometime between the late 9th and early 11th century. The sword can be viewed at the National Museum of Ireland in Dublin.

An Post says that each object depicted on the eight stamps in the series features an important moment-in-time in Ireland’s history. They will feature on the everyday label stamps available at post offices nationwide.

The other items to be depicted are: the Waterford Charter Roll; Gallowglass Gravestone; Robert Emmet’s Ring; cooking pot; Titanic launch ticket; a washing machine and an Intel microprocessor.

·         The four-metre long Waterford Charter Roll, dating from 1215 to 1373, contains documents or transcripts relating to Waterford during that time and is on display at the Medieval Museum, Waterford Museum of in Waterford City.

·         The original 15th or 16th century Gallowglass Gravestone still sits in a graveyard in Clonca, Co Donegal where it was discovered while a replica cast is on display at the GAA Museum, Croke Park in Dublin.

·         Cut in Dublin in the 1790’s Robert Emmet’s Ring is on view at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts and History, in Dublin’s Collins Barracks.

·         In the 19th century the Cooking Pot became an essential household item throughout the country.  Originally from Corelish East, Co. Limerick, this particular Cooking Pot can be seen at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.

·         The 1911 Titanic Launch Ticket belonged to David Moneypenny who was a ship’s painter.  It can be viewed at the National Museums Northern Ireland — Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, Hollywood, Co. Down.

·         The Washing Machine, which can be viewed at the Irish Agricultural Museum, Co. Wexford, became widely available in the 1950s after homes were connected to water and electricity.

·         Intel launched their Pentium processor in 1994 and more than half of the world’s processor production was based at the Intel factory in Leixlip which opened in 1989.  It may  be seen at the National Science Museum, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth, Co. Kildare.