30,000 people in this country collect stamps. Philatelists meet at 'Stampa', Ireland's national stamp exhibition.
The system of post roads in Ireland goes back to 1631. The postage stamp dates from 1837 and is often described as the first step in mass communication. The stamp has had great public appeal ever since.
They've been bought, licked and collected ever since.
John Hynes from An Post describes stamp collecting as a great family past-time.
Irish stamps are arguably the most colourful, imaginative and varied in the world.
The Riverside in Dublin is the venue for 'Stampa', Ireland's national exhibition where collectors meet, compete and trade their stamps.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 20 October 1995. The reporter is Colm Connolly.
