Ireland year 1970 stamps Patriots complete set MNH

Ireland year 1970 stamps Patriots complete set ☀ MNH**

The 1970 “Patriots” stamp issue from Ireland commemorates the 50th Anniversary of the deaths of three key figures from the Irish War of Independence era.

This issue is actually comprised of two separate sets released very close together, all related to the “Patriots” theme:

1. Tomás MacCurtain and Terence MacSwiney Set

• Issue Date: October 26, 1970
• Commemorates: The 50th Anniversary of the deaths of Tomás MacCurtain and Terence MacSwiney. Both were Lord Mayors of Cork who died in 1920 (MacCurtain was murdered, MacSwiney died on hunger strike in Brixton Prison).
• Stamps in the Set: 2 or 4 stamps, often listed in se-tenant pairs:
  • A stamp for Tomás MacCurtain.
  • A stamp for Terence MacSwiney.
  • Note: There were two denominations for each man, resulting in four stamps total, often collected as two pairs.
• Denominations (Original Irish currency): 9 pence (9P) and 2/9d (2 shillings and 9 pence) for each patriot.
• Catalog Numbers:
  • Scott: Often listed as #284-287 (four stamps total).
  • Stanley Gibbons (SG): #281-284.
  • Michel: #284-287.

2. Kevin Barry Set

• Issue Date: November 2, 1970
• Commemorates: The 50th Anniversary of the death of Kevin Barry, a young Irish Republican Army volunteer who was executed in 1920.
• Stamps in the Set: 2 stamps.
• Denominations (Original Irish currency): 6 pence (6P) and 1/2d (half a shilling).
• Catalog Numbers:
  • Scott: #288-289.
  • Stanley Gibbons (SG): #285-286.
  • Michel: #288-289.

When collectors refer to the “1970 Patriots set,” they are usually referencing the stamps honoring all three figures (MacCurtain, MacSwiney, and Barry).