Special new stamp released featuring Limerick's Coat of Arms

AN POST is issuing a new stamp featuring Limerick’s Coat of Arms.

This comes as part of a release of six new stamps featuring the Coats of Arms of Irish Cities, including Cork, Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, and Waterford.

Each Irish city’s rich history is captured in its own distinctive coat of arms linked to its origins.

Shannon-siders will be familiar with the Limerick City Coats of Arms stamp, which features a castle with a central dome and cross on top, between two towers. The castle has a raised portcullis.

Long-distance runner and marathon winner Ava Crean and Limerick legend, ‘Paudcast’ star Pádraig O’Callaghan were the first recipients of the stamp, presented by Mayor of Limerick, John Moran.

Today, Thursday 15th October 2026 marks the launch of An Post's new Cities Coat of Arms stamp collection. Pictured are the first recipients of the special Limerick City Coat of Arms stamp: Mayor of Limerick John Moran; long-distance Runner and marathon winner Ava Crean; and Limerick legend, ‘Paudcast’ star Pádraig O’Callaghan, in view of Limerick’s most iconic landmark, King John’s Castle, dating back over 800 years.

The set of six ‘N’ rate (€1.85) stamps each covers letter postage within the island of Ireland and are available in sheetlets of four online at www.anpost.ie/shop, in the featured city post offices and selected post offices nationwide. Multiples may also be used to cover worldwide and parcel postage.

The Cities – Coats of Arms stamps are condensed designs which include the core element of each city’s crest.

Cork’s coat of arms features a ship with three masts at full sail, between two towers, while Dublin’s coat of arms features three burning castles, as has been featured by the City of Dublin for centuries.

Galway’s coat of arms features a golden, single-masted galley ship on waves, with furled sails and a hanging black shield, displaying a golden lion, and Kilkenny’s features a castle with three towers being defended by archers. A man bearing a cudgel and a red lion guards the grounds below.

Meanwhile, Waterford’s coat of arms features three golden ships at sea, reflecting the city’s maritime history.

A spokesperson for An Post explained: “The origins of Irish cities’ coats of arms can be traced back to the medieval and early modern periods, the arrival of the Normans and later, the British Conquests. At this time, urban centres were defining their identity, legitimacy, and autonomy within shifting political landscapes.

“The heraldic device within a city coat of arms signalled that city’s status as a corporate body with recognised rights, privileges, and responsibilities. Then, as now, Coats of Arms appeared on civic buildings, on official document seals, and on traded goods. More than simply decorative symbols, they allowed cities to project authority, civic pride, and continuity.”

The spokesperson continued: “Today, our coats of arms act as powerful, visual links to the past. As our cities continue to evolve through regeneration, cultural initiatives, and growing diversity, these historic heraldic symbols now appear on flags, sports jerseys, official city vehicles, lamp posts and benches, helping spark conversations and understanding about identity, belonging, and the layered stories that shape urban life.”

Donegal-based Philip Mackey, heraldic artist for the stamps, said: “I hope the people of Limerick City, native and new, are pleased and excited to see their home featured on stamps. It is after all, among the great cities of Europe!

“I hope, too, that people will be inspired to learn more about where they live as they become more aware of the symbols on buildings, and so on, that they frequently pass. Newer residents may develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of their chosen home and feel a greater sense of belonging to it as a result.”

An Post’s Irish Stamps manager, Aileen Mooney, said: “We anticipate great interest in these striking new stamps from individuals, businesses, collectors, clubs and other bodies in the featured cities. These stamps will be powerful ambassadors for their home cities as they traverse the country and the world on letters and parcels.”

More information about the Cities’ Coats of Arms is available from the National Library Registry of Arms or the Office of the Chief Heralds.