I cannot put any earlier date than June 2001 for the 40p and 50p (the date they came available in the bureau). All three values are on normal ordinary paper (CCP1). 

I cannot make my mind up yet re paper on the £3 Questa Booklet.  I think its CCP3 paper when put under UV lamp but it looks white. The perf. of the stamps in the booklet are 11 x 13, i.e. different from ISSP.

Regarding the Dual Currency issues:

Perf as before.

Make-up not finalised but probably 10 x inland plus 2 tourist booklets (european rate and world wide rate).  In
addition the £1 booklet will probably become a 2 euro booklet in due course in January 2002.

Brian Warren

Best wishes from a hot and sunny Germany

Klaus Stange

I am writing on behalf of the Milwaukee Philatelic Society.  As you may already know, Milcopex is Wisconsin's own national level stamp exposition. he show this year will be held September 14, 15 & 16, 2001 at State Fair
Park in West Allis, Wisconsin.

We are hosting the Éire Philatelic Association and I am told we have two Irish judges on the jury.  We still have frames available and would love to have you join us.

As an APS World Series of Philately show, the MILCOPEX Grand Award winner is eligible for the annual "Champion of Champions" competition at Stampshow.

Milwaukee is centrally located, with a fine airport, and only about a 1½ hour drive north of Chicago.  We also have many fine hotels and restaurants.

If you would like a prospectus and application, please let me know.

Robert Henak
Exhibit Chairman
henak@compuserve.com
414-351-1519

The FDC sold at bureau counter had a pictorial KINSALE postmark but
presumably there is the usual BAC also available.

Brian Warren

The Battle of Kinsale in 1601, one of the pivotal events in Irish history, is commemorated in a new set of four stamps designed by Cork artist Finbarr O’Connor which go on sale tomorrow (10 July 2001) at all main post offices.

An Post Chairman, Stephen O’Connor, today (9 July 2001) launched the stamps at a function in Kinsale. The stamps form part of the official recognition of the historical significance of the battle at the town 400 years ago.

Red Hugh O’Neill, the Earl of Tyrconnell and his ally from Tyrone, Red Hugh O’Donnell marched nearly 300 miles from the North to Kinsale to join with a Spanish invasion force which took over the town in September.

Lord Mountjoy, the Elizabethan military leader in Ireland, besieged the Spaniards and on Christmas Eve intercepted and scattered the exhausted Irish, and inflicted a defeat which had enormous and continuing repercussions on Irish history.

The defeat ended Gaelic Ireland and changed forever the customs, language and land ownership system. It led to the Flight of the Earls and in 1607, the Plantation of Ulster. It also established English control in Ireland.

Mr. O’Connor congratulated the committee organising Kinsale’s commemorative events and said that An Post was delighted to be involved in the celebrations marking a most historic event.

“The Battle of Kinsale led to dramatic change in the course of Irish history and it is fitting that we should have a stamp issue to make a battle which in its implications was arguably the most pivotal in our history”, he said.

The Chairman of the Kinsale 2001 Commemoration Committee, Cllr Dermot Collins said they were extremely proud and greatly honoured by this magnificent gesture on the part of An Post to recognise in such an auspicious manner this important event in our history.

“We sincerely thank and congratulate An Post for their outstanding contribution to our commemoration programme”, Councillor Collins added.

The stamps feature the various soldiers who took part in the Nine Years War which the O’Neill and O’Donnell clans waged against the forces of Elizabeth I. An Irish Pikeman and an English Horseman are each featured on a 30p (38c) stamp while a Spanish Pikeman is shown on a 32p (41c) stamp. A medieval town of Kinsale is portrayed on a 45p (57c) stamp. A special first day cover, also designed by Finbarr O’Connor is also available.

NOTE: The FDC sold at bureau counter had a pictorial KINSALE postmark but presumably there is the usual BAC also available.

An Post is seeking increases of over 30% in postage stamp costs as its own costs are rising faster than sales.

The state company, which last year suffered a £3m drop in operating profits, is heading towards mounting deficits and is awaiting proposals for a subvention to meet the burden of loss-making rural post offices. Last year the post office division went into losses and these are expected to average about IR£20m a year over the next three years.

An Post chairman, Stephen O'Connor, warned that costs rising faster than revenues could not be sustained as they put the company's future at serious risk.

A special meeting was held with a Department of Public Enterprise representative yesterday to stress the urgent need for lower costs and increased profits.

Chief executive John Hynes declined to specify how much of an increase in postal charges is being sought and said the company could not comment on its submission to postal and telecoms regulator Etain Doyle.

It is understood, however, that An Post wants basic postage costs to be increased by at least 30% to compensate for the impact of inflation since the last price hike eleven years ago. Mr. Hynes said Ireland was now the third cheapest EU state for postal charges.

An inter-departmental review of proposals for a subvention will be published later this month. It follows a study last year by former ICTU president, Phil Flynn, which suggested state subsidies for the 1,800 sub-post offices.

Staff costs are an increasing burden in post offices, while it is becoming increasingly difficult to recruit staff. There are over one hundred vacancies in sub-post offices throughout the state.

The company announced it is investing IR£100m in automating its mail-sorting centres and hopes to increase the percentage of post handled automatically from 25% to over 80%.

The Government has agreed to give a 5% stake in the company to its 9,500 staff, and the company is to buy a further 10% to distribute to staff in the form of a profit-share scheme, worth about IR£3,250 for each employee."

Regards,

MAURICE BARRETT

The An Post Group, which runs the national mail and post office services, has reported an overall profit of IR£35 million in its annual report for 2000 but warns that returns from its core activities are increasingly inadequate.

While group turnover increased by IR£27 million (6.4 per cent) to IR£451 million overall, costs went up by IR£29.8 million (7.2 per cent) to IR£443 million and the Post Offices division moved into losses for the first time in many years. Overall operating profits fell IR£2.8 million to IR£7.7 million.

The major contribution to the overall profit came from IR£40.5 million realised by An Post from the sale of its shareholding in ESAT Telecom Group plc to British Telecommunications (BT).

Elsewhere all parts of the Group shared in the national economic buoyancy with Letter Post (mails) division showing a volume growth of nine per cent with total revenues up IR£17.4 million to IR£288 million.

Revenues at the Post Offices division grew by only 2.6 per cent - a reflection of pressure from major customers for lower prices. SDS, the group's parcel distribution and courier business grew its revenues by 9.7 per cent due mainly to strong growth in national traffic and on European routes.

The modest operating performance in 2000 reflected the fact that costs are outstripping revenues, post offices division has moved into serious losses and the company has not had a price increase in its biggest business (LetterPost) since 1991.

And Chairman, Stephen O’Connor, warns a price increase can no longer be avoided. He said that approval for an increase in international postage rates had already been sought from the Postal Regulator. 

“The price of posting a standard letter within Ireland is the same today as it was in 1990 while the Consumer Price Index had risen by 29 per cent”, he said.

An Post says that during 2000 it continued its strategic investment programme. IR£76 million will have been spent on a national automation programme by the end of 2002. It also acquired JMC Van Trans and Wheels Couriers, two companies specialising in same day delivery of documents and parcels.

Negotiations had been concluded with its trade unions on a Transformation Through Partnership Agreement which provides for business reorganisation and the introduction of new working methods designed to save the company IR£27 million a year by 2003.

Mr. O’Connor said "The imbalance between the increases in turnover and costs was a matter for concern even allowing for static or declining sales prices in Letter Post and Post Offices. Cost increases which outstrip the growth in revenue cannot be sustained and are seriously detrimental to the future of An Post”.

Group Chief Executive, Mr. John Hynes, said that pay was the single most important internal issue for the Group. Pay accounted for 70 per cent of total costs and the PPF agreement will provide cumulative increases of 18 per cent and would add IR£64 million to payroll costs.

Referring to losses in the Post Offices division, Mr. Hynes welcomed the Flynn Review of the sub post office network. “An Post is committed to the sustainable development of the network”, he said.

He added “However, in the absence of a subvention which was requested by the board in July 2000, annual losses in the post offices division will escalate from IR£13 million in 2001 to IR£28 million in 2004 - losses of this scale are clearly unsustaiinable”.

Regards,

MAURICE BARRETT

This is something I promised you back at the start of the year.

Best wishes

Stan Challis
Guernsey

REGISTRATION LABELS

THE SMALLER TOWNS - REPUBLIC OF IRELAND
Number (where  known)	Office	Date office opened	Dates reported / seen	Comment
ATHLONE
	Baylough	1953	1989	label 'Baylough Athlone' in 1989
	Connaught Str	1908	NOT SEEN	closed c1923;
3	Mardyke Str	1937	1980-89
BALLINA
	Ardnaree	1947	1991-93	label 'Ard na Riogh' 1991-93
BALLINASLOE
	Dunlo Hill	1901	NOT SEEN	closed c1916
BANDON
	Kilbrogan	1911	1986	closed c1993; label 'Kilbrogan' 1986
BLACKROCK
5	Booterstown	1774	1981	closed 1857-65. Under Blackrock from c1918. Closed 1985
3	Deans Grange	1925	1980-93
	Glenomena	1901	NOT SEEN	closed 1954
1	Monkstown	1843	1943-92	under Blackrock from c1903
8	Mount Merrion	1940	1975-87	Mount Merrion in 1949
4	Newtownpark	1949	1983-91	also seen 1992-93 with Carraig Dubh cds
7	Stillorgan	1810	1979-92	under Blackrock from c1930
6	Sydney Terrace	1962	1989	closed 1989
	Upper Trees Road	1952	NOT SEEN	closed 1975
	Williamstown	1914	NOT SEEN	closed 1980
11	Woodbine Park	1955	1983	also with Carraig Dubh cds in 1992
2	?		NOT SEEN
9	?		1992-95	Carraig Dubh cds - used by a firm?
10	?		1995	Carraig Dubh cds - used by a firm?
BRAY
2	Albert Av	1964	1981
2	Brennan's Parade	1888	1943-60	"1943 label reads 'Brennan's Parade,/ Bray'. 1960 is 'Bray 2'. closed 1964."
3	Dargle Road	1914	1987
1	Main Str	1888	1980-95	1995 is dated 4.10.95 just a few days before the system changed
4	Newtown Vevay	1914	1959-86
CARLOW
1	Tullow Str	1897	1969	closed 1979
1	Staplestown Road	1980	1986	replaced Tullow Str
2	Graiguecullen	1897	1959-79	also 1983 label reads 'Graiguecullen'
CARRICK ON SUIR
1	Carrickbeg	1948	1981-90
CAVAN
1	Pearse Str	1898	1979	opened as Main Str; closed c1976.  'An Cabhan 1' label used at Cavan Head office in 1983 is old Pearse Str stock was being used up.
CLONMEL
1	Irishtown	1903	1977-88	1981 has '1' inserted by hand; label reads 'Baile Gaolach/ Cluain Meala' in 1982. 1988 label  has 'Irishtown/ Clonmel' inserted by hand on a 'blind' label.
COBH
1	Harbour Row		1977-84	closed 1990
	Rushbrooke		NOT SEEN	closed 1928
3	Midleton Str		1974-84	3' label also used at Cobh head office 1990
2	Haulbowline		1943	1943 has '2' inserted by hand. Closed 1981
	Spike Island	1898	NOT SEEN	closed 1899; reopened 1914-22
DROGHEDA
see note	James Str	1894	1926-63	Label reads 'Drogheda 2' in 1926; 'Drogheda No 1' in 1929; 'Drogheda 1' in 1963; closed 1975
2	Lawrence Gate	1894	1929	closed 1958; also possibly known as North Strand
1	Mary Str	1977	1984-91
2	Yellowbatter Park	1959	1979-94
DUNDALK
5	Bridge Str	1933	1961-92	"1961 label is 'Dundalk 4' crossed out and '5' inserted by hand. Dundalk 5 in 1975 and 1976. Label reads 'Straid an Droichid' in 1978-82 and again 1989 and 1990, but 'Dundalk 5' in 1987 and 1992"
.	Castletown Road	1970	NOT SEEN
1	Dublin Str	1888	1958-90	But 'Sraid Baile/ Atha Cliath/ Dun Dealgan' in 1983
2	Quay Str	1880	1954-93	1993 is a blind label with 'Quay St Dundalk' inserted by hand
DUNGARVAN
1	Abbeyside	1891	1987	?closed
DUN LAOGHAIRE
4	Cumberland Str	1895	1984	closed 1987
2	Lower George's Str	1879	1987
3	Glasthule	1882	1977	"opened as Albert Road, later Sandycove; renamed 1957"
	Oliver Plukett Road	1950	NOT SEEN
9	Rochestown Av	1977	1983
	Sallynoggin	1912	NOT SEEN
	Stoneview	1872	NOT SEEN	closed c1910
1	Upper George's Str	1914	1956-81	closed by Dec 1999
ENNIS
	O'Connell Str	1892	1977-89	opened as Jail Str; name changed c1913. Replaced by Market Str c1997?
2	Clonroadmore	1939	1979-92
ENNISCORTHY
1	Duffry Str	1955	1976-80	1 also inserted by hand; Duffry St 1980-91
FERMOY
	Oliver Plunkett Hill	1894	1961-84	opened as Barrack Hill; name changed 1920; 1961-74 '1'; 19984 'Cnoc Olibheir /Pluingceid Mainisir/ Fhear Muighe'  in three lines
GALWAY
5	Bohermore	1945	1978-92
1	Dominick Street	1852	1974-91	closed 1991
3	Father Griffin Av	1974	1975-92	replaced Taylor's Hill
7	Mervue	1975	1987-95
4	Newcastle	1938	1986-92
6	Renmore	1970	1986-92
2	Salthill	1852	1954-95
8	Seamus Quirk Road	1986	1986-93
	Taylor's Hill	1907	NOT SEEN	closed 1974 - assumed to have been 3
KILKENNY
2	Irishtown	1914	1978-86	1985-86 'Irishtown Kilkenny'
1	John Str	1895	1955-90	1989-90 - 'John Street'
LIMERICK
	Athlunkard Street	1896	NOT SEEN	also known as Mary Str; closed 1945
	Ballinacurra	1950	NOT SEEN	closed 1962
11	Ballynantybeg	1957	1975-83
6	Bridge Str	1943	1978-96
	Broad Str	1930	NOT SEEN	closed 1970
9	Cahirdavin	1933	1971	originally rural TSO from c1977; label  'Caherdavin' 1978-89
3	Clontarf Place	1974	1980-86
9	Dooradoyle	1977	1973-93
5	Edward Str	1886    1944-86	1944-86

Number (where known)	Office	Date office opened          .	Dates  reported / seen	Comment
12	Ennis Road	1939	1978-86	closed ?1999
4	Galvone	1972	1981-88
10	Garryowen	1971	1974-86
7	Janesboro'	1970	1980-87
10	John Str	1914	1924	closed 1930
	New Str	1893	NOT SEEN	closed 1944
2	Patrick Str	1964	1980-86
2	Rutland Str	1875	1939	closed 1963
3	The Crescent	1899	1930-34	closed 1974
4	The Docks	1893	1937	closed 1972
	The Markets	1876	NOT SEEN	closed c1906
8	Thomondgate	1891	1947-94
	Upper Clare Str	1899	NOT SEEN	closed 1965
1	William Str	1893	1978-87	also Upper William Str
P	?(parcel office)		1982
LONGFORD
	Earl Str	1946	1959	"closed 1974; label Earl Street, Longford 1959"
MALLOW
3	Ballydaheen	1949	1985
MONAGHAN
	Killygoan	1974	NOT SEEN	closed 1990
MULLINGAR
	Pearse Street	1897	1977-90	"opened as Earl Str; name changed c1921; label 'Pearse Str, Mullingar' 1977-90"
NAVAN
	Blackcastle	1978	NOT SEEN
NEW ROSS
	Irishtown	1950	NOT SEEN	closed 1983
SLIGO
1	Castle Street	1902	1961-95	"1961-62 - Sligo 1; Castle Street, Sligo 1978-95"
	Church Hill	1955	1981	closed 1984;Cnoc na Cille 1981
	Maugheraboy	1984	1988	Church Hill label use with name crossed out and Magheraboy added by hand
3	Upper John Str	1944	1946	closed 1955
THURLES
	Lognafulla	1963	NOT SEEN	closed 1971
TRALEE
2	Ballymullen	1918	1971-78	Ballymullen in 1971; Tra Li 2 in 1978
1	Rock Street	1904	1928-89
WATERFORD
	Ballytruckle	1891	NOT SEEN
2	Barrack Street	1888	1979-84
	Broad Str	1914	NOT SEEN	closed 1971
11	Cleaboy	?	1992
4	Ferrybank	1847	1975-91	TSO from c1896
1	Gladstone Street	1924	1940-87
10	Gracedieu	1932	1982-90
7	High Street	1971	1975-87
	King Str	1876	NOT SEEN	originally Thomas Str; closed 1922
12	Lisduggan	1975	1983-84
3	Manor Street	1957	1967-84	closed 1985
11	Morrison's Avenue	1954	1974-89	is this now closed?
5	Newtown	1888	1980-84
	Parnell Str	1903	1941	originally Beresford Str; name changed c1912; label Parnell St Waterford 1941; closed 1957
WEXFORD
2	Barrack Street	1896	1928-84	Sráid an Caisleán with WX2 inserted by hand 1988; Wexford 2 in 1928
1	North Main Street	1885	1929-81	Sráid Mór an Cinn Thuaidh 1985-93
YOUGHAL
1	Strand	1894	1959-94	"1 inserted by hand (1959), An Tra Co Chorcai (1982) An Tra Eochaill March 1994; closed 1994"

In today's cyber-age, its only fitting that we interact in cyberspace. I can't see any reason why the members of our societies should not join in. More and more of our members are now accessing e-mail and the internet.

To subscribe to the Newsletter, send a request by e-mail to webmaster.  To remove yourself from receiving the Newsletter, send your request to the same e-mail address. 

Viewing of the newsletter is available online from the ÉPA web page. 

Past issues are archived and are available for online retrieval, again from the ÉPA web page.  E-mail requests for back issues are also accepted.

Members are encouraged to contribute articles or bits of news to the newsletter.  I believe that learned treatises belong in our society journals, where they can be shared with all members. I don't feel that a newsletter should ever attempt to be a replacement for our journals.

"Newsy" bits would certainly interest me personally and would seem to be ideal for a newsletter such as this.

Requests for information and help with puzzling items can be submitted and, hopefully, some reader will have an answer.

Brief articles or informational pieces would also be welcome.

If you have e-mail access, you can send articles by e-mail to webmaster.

For those in the U.S.A., libraries providing access and free e-mail sites are proliferating.  Members could access the Web even without home or office access to cyberspace.

Input from members can even come via our beloved snail-mail.

Submitters should understand that any material published in the newsletter would, automatically, become available for publication in our journals.