Iconic shopfront features on new stamp series

BY JACKIE KEOGH

AN Post has decided to celebrate Ireland’s unique shopfronts – including the iconic Clerke store in Skibbereen – in its commemorative series of stamps.

Post Master Adrian Healy said he was delighted that the Skibbereen grocery store, owned and run by Lilian Clerke, is featuring in An Post’s new series of four commemorative Irish stamps, released last week.

An accompanying booklet, called The Collector, also lauds Ireland’s distinctive shopfronts, which, Mr Healy described as being ‘an essential piece of the country’s architectural history’. 

The postmaster said: ‘The beauty of these pieces of commercial art is contained in the fine hand-crafted details, such as their carpentry, carved mouldings and corbels, their hand painted signage, painted carved block letters, etched glass and titling.’

‘Each one tells a story of a business still trading after generations,’ he said. ‘And each one of them is by their very nature colourful, charming and utterly unique, particularly Clerke’s which has long been admired by visitors and local alike.’

‘Thankfully,’ he added, ‘there are still thriving, established shopfront companies and artists creating new gems throughout Ireland.’ Clerke’s features on the €1.10 stamp.

Of the four shop fronts chosen, there was a second West Cork connection as Macroom woman Joan Lucey from Sandy Hill’s Cork city bookshop, Vibes & Scribes, on Bridge Street in Cork city, will also feature in the new range of stamps from An Post.