Stamps issued to mark 250th anniversary of Daniel O'Connell
'The Liberator' held monster meeting on Hill of Tara
Taoiseach Micheál Martin has unveiled two new stamps marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell, one of which shows him addressing one of his famous ‘monster meetings.’
As part of his campaign to repeal the Act of Union in 1843, Daniel ‘The Liberator’ O’Connell evoked the highly symbol qualities of the Hill of Tara by holding a monster meeting at the hill in 1843, attended by an estimated crowd of 750,000, some even saying one million.
Designed by artist David Rooney, the two national (N) rate stamps commemorate Daniel O'Connell's enduring legacy, showing him as an inspiring and towering figure in momentous, stylised scenes from his life.
One stamp depicts his release from Richmond Bridewell after his three-month imprisonment, while a second stamps shows him front and centre at one of his famous ‘monster meetings.’
A limited edition First Day Cover envelope features his famous statue in Ennis, Co Clare, and is available, together with the stamps, at selected post offices and online at anpost.com/history (with free delivery) from 31st July.
Speaking at the O'Connell 250 Symposium: 'Liberty, Democracy, and the Struggle for Human Rights’ taking place at Trinity College, the Taoiseach said: "By every measure, Daniel O’Connell was the most internationally known and influential leader in our history. In the words of Gladstone, he was the greatest popular leader the world has ever known. He was a campaigner for the Catholic emancipation, the repeal of the Act of the Union and the abolition of slavery. He proved to be a powerful constitutional and legal reformer. I am delighted to unveil these stamps marking 250 years since his birth, to honour him and remember his legacy."
David McRedmond, CEO of An Post said: We are delighted to have been able to deliver this stamp pair marking the incredible life and the many achievements of Daniel O’Connell. We hope that the stamps will promote a renewed interest in this global figure who, more than being just a man of his time, is also an iconic figure for the times in which we live.’’
Born in 1775, Daniel O’Connell emerged as a key figure in Ireland's pursuit of parliamentary democracy through his movement for the repeal of the 1800 Act of Union.
Barred from taking his parliamentary seat in 1828, his campaign eventually led to the passage of the 1829 Roman Catholic Relief Act. This granted Roman Catholics the right to serve as Members of Parliament and hold most public offices.
A State-led commemoration marking the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell in Derrynane, Co Kerry, takes place today (Wednesday 6 August).
Taoiseach Micheál Martin and Minister for Culture, Communications and Sport, Patrick O’Donovan, will officiate at the ceremony taking place at O’Connell’s principal residence, Derrynane House.
The formal State ceremony will include the keynote address by Micheál Martin, who will also unveil a plaque and plant a tree with assistance from descendants of Daniel O’Connell.
The event is part of a Daniel O’Connell Commemorative Programme to mark the 250th anniversary of his birth launched by Minister O’Donovan last month.
The Programme was developed in partnership with the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport, the Department of the Taoiseach, the OPW, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and other key stakeholders, including local community groups.
"Each event has been considered in accordance with the ethos and values of commemorations including accessibility, respectful remembrance, historical accuracy and the creation of opportunities to engage young people and the Diaspora with the formative events, personalities and themes of our past," the minister stated.
The diverse programme covers the four commemorative pillars - historical exploration, artistic and creative response, community-led commemoration and State Ceremonial. "Many counties have a significant connection to our national hero which is reflected in a number of engaging community-led commemorative events," Minister O'Donovan stated.
The Daniel O’Connell Commemorative Programme was endorsed at the first sitting of the new Commemorations Advisory Committee, chaired by Bryan Dobson.
Minister O’Donovan said: “Daniel O’Connell was one of the most important figures in Irish political history, not just for what he achieved, but for how he achieved it. He believed in peaceful reform, in democracy, and in civil rights; ideas and concepts to which we should still aspire today.
“Through this Programme we hope to highlight and celebrate Daniel O’Connell - the man and his political achievements. We aim to remind us all of both his lasting legacy at home and his significant international impact as a champion for civil rights across the globe.”
The Programme includes:
Today's Commemorative Ceremony in Derrynane House, O’Connell’s principal residence and now an OPW managed historic property.
This will be a combination State-led and cultural commemorative event. The event which will have a strong community element will serve as a symbolic act of national remembrance.
It will shown live on the RTÉ News Channel and will be made available worldwide for live and catchup, on the RTÉ Player.
The Daniel O’Connell Summer School, 29th-30th August
The Daniel O’Connell Summer School has been running for the past fourteen years in partnership with the OPW and Kerry County Council.
This anniversary year, it will be held in Cahersiveen (close to the birthplace of O’Connell) and Derrynane. It will consist of a number of short lectures on the life and legacies of O’Connell locally, nationally and internationally.
The Department will be providing support to the Summer School to mark this significant year in a special way. They are proposing a full programme of speakers including from universities in the US and UK.
Trinity College Dublin: Commemorative programme including symposium and an education pack.
Trinity College Dublin propose to produce a Daniel O’Connell school pack. It will be in the form of an interactive digital permanent online resource which can be hosted on a suitable platform and available to all, including pupils in Northern Ireland where O’Connell is on the History curriculum.
The Bar of Ireland (The Law Library)
Following on from its Daniel O’Connell Memorial Lecture in April, to mark the 250th anniversary of the birth of Daniel O’Connell, the Bar of Ireland is engaged with the Department on a further event for Autumn 2025, where the Tánaiste will represent the Government.
International Events
Daniel O’Connell had a significant worldwide impact, which will be recognised and highlighted through the Irish embassy network. This includes an event in the Reform Club in September hosted by the Irish Ambassador in London, to honour its former member. Further events will be scheduled at historic sites closely associated with O’Connell including possible events in Rome, Paris, and the US.
O'Connell 250 Celebrations
A full programme of events has been organised by O’Connell 250 Committee consisting of local and wide-ranging groups and organisations chaired by a representative from the Cahersiveen Local Development Group (ACARD). The Programme has been designed by the local committee and includes plaque unveilings, a civic reception, a monster meeting, music and sport events and takes place across the first week in August. This will be with the support of Kerry County Council and the Department.
Bank of Ireland: Daniel O’Connell Statue
The Bank of Ireland is gifting a statue of Daniel O’Connell to the Houses of the Oireachtas. The statue which is currently located in their College Green Branch will be moved to the Leinster House building for unveiling later this year.
Central Bank of Ireland: Commemorative Coins
In 2025, the Central Bank of Ireland proposes issuing a number of commemorative coins to mark 250 years since Daniel O’Connell was born. This consists of a gold proof coin and a silver proof coin and there will also be a double set containing both.
An Post: Commemorative Stamp Programme 2025
Two Daniel O’Connell commemorative stamps by artist David Rooney are included in the 2025 stamp programme and will launch on Thursday, 31 July.
The Irish Georgian Society: Daniel O’Connell 250: architecture, designed landscapes and visual culture study day
The Irish Georgian Society in partnership with Dublin City Council and in association with Ulster Architectural Heritage, will be holding a Study Day in Dublin’s City Assembly House where, in 1843, O’Connell hosted a three-day debate on the Repeal of the Act of Union. Speakers at the event include Professor Maurice Bric, Professor Patrick Geoghegan, Dr Livia Hurley and Dr Kathryn Milligan.
Daniel O’Connell Documentary
Create One is producing a one-hour documentary exploring the life and legacy of Daniel O’Connell. The documentary, which will air on RTÉ, explores one of the most significant periods in Irish history and reveals how O’Connell’s achievement continues to shape and impact our world today. The documentary will be circulated to schools and the library service through the Department of Education and the Local Authority Network, and with support from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade to the Irish Embassy Network.
Programme of Local Authority Events
A number of Local Authorities are planning Daniel O’Connell Commemorations with supported through the Local Authority Commemoration Grants administered through the Commemorations Unit in the Department.
Clare County Council
The Daniel O’Connell Commemoration is a programme of events planned to mark the anniversary but also highlight the Clare connection as O’Connell was elected as an MP for the county in 1828 and again in 1830. Events include lectures, talks, art, walking tours, a digitisation project, exhibitions and a documentary screening. This will take place from 08-10 August in Ennis and is organised by a local committee consisting of the Mayor of Ennis, Mayor of Clare other members of the Local Authority, local historians and O’Connell Historians. The Daniel O’Connell Commemorative Concert is produced by Diarmuid de Faoite and will take place in Ennis on Saturday, 09 August, in conjunction with Clare Arts Office.