In 2022, Ireland marks the centenary of three momentous events that heralded the
establishment of the Irish Free State. On 13th January, An Post issued a set of three
stamps to commemorate the formal handover of Dublin Castle to the Free State, the
formation of the Civic Guard and of the Irish Army. The Dublin Castle stamp design
features an iconic image of the Irish Harp, a symbol of national identity and commemorates
the handover of Dublin Castle to the Irish Free State. The second stamp marks the
establishment of a new police force, the Civic Guard, in 1922 by the Provisional Government
which would later go on to be renamed as An Garda Síochána. The third stamp marks the
centenary of the setting up of the National Army in 1922. The official badge of the Irish
Defence Forces is the focal point of the contemporary stamp design. The stamps are
printed using the Intaglio printing process which makes the badges on each stamp stand
out with the colour including gold particles and phosphor tagging.