Type:      Stamp

Number of Stamps:        3

Stamps Denomination:      30 P,

Issue Date:       1982

Issued By:    Ireland Post

A Church by the Sea on Mac Dara’s Island:

The Saint Mac Dara’s Church stamp shows a small stone church that has been a place of faith and tradition for centuries. The church stands on Mac Dara’s Island off the coast of Connemara in County Galway. For generations the church has been a sacred landmark where people gather during the festival of Lá Fhéile Mhic Dara. The stamp captures the simple beauty of the stone building against the natural landscape reminding everyone of Ireland’s deep religious history and the strength of its coastal communities.

Honors Faith and Tradition:

When Ireland issued the stamp it was not only to celebrate a building but also the living tradition around it. Every year on July 16 locals and visitors travel to the island to honor Saint Mac Dara. Fishermen decorate their boats with flags and take part in processions on the sea while Mass is held in the old church. The stamp design reflects this connection between faith and daily life showing how a small island chapel carries meaning beyond its size. It is more than an image on paper it is a way of passing down heritage through art.

A Piece of Ireland Spirit in a Small Design:

The stone church may be small but it represents resilience community and devotion. The stamp acts like a bridge between the past and present connecting those who use or collect it to the traditions of Connemara and the fishermen who trusted Saint Mac Dara to keep them safe. In its quiet image the stamp holds a powerful message that faith nature and people together shape the identity of Ireland.