The stamp is one of a series launched by An Post to celebrate four libraries around the country founded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.
The four stamps feature line drawings of the four Irish Carnegie Libraries by Irish artist Dorothy Smith and photographed by Gillian Buckley. The other libraries are in Kilkenny, Dublin and Limerick.
Enniskerry’s Carnegie Library on Church Road was opened in 1911. There are two other Carnegie Libraries in County Wicklow: in Bray and Greystones.
Born in Scotland, Carnegie emigrated with his family to the US in search of a better life. At 12 he began working in the cotton industry and through his natural ability and application became one of the world’s richest men.
In the last decades of his life he devoted himself to philanthropy and his contribution to Ireland were the libraries now celebrated in the new stamp set.
Between 1897 and 1913, Carnegie promised over €179,000 to pay for the building of some 80 libraries in Ireland, 60 of which still survive.
The stamps and a beautiful First Day Cover envelope are available from main post offices, from the stamp counters at Dublin’s GPO or online at irishstamps.ie. The illustrations and stamps will be on display at Pearse Street library IN Dublin City Centre.
Quote: “It is wonderful to see Enniskerry’s Carnegie Library recognised in this way by An Post”, said Mr Michael Nicholson, Director of community, Culture & Social Development, Wicklow County Council, who acknowledged “the wonderful service all three Carnegie libraries have given to the people of County Wicklow over a long number of years.”
