Irish One Shilling (1/-) Stamp – Sword of Light (An Claíomh Solais) by John J. O’Reilly - Print

Tiny Giants is a series that celebrates the intricate details of the smallest objects, magnifying their tiniest features so you can truly appreciate every scratch and dent. Each imperfection tells a story, from hands exchanging them in bustling markets to decades spent tucked away in pockets. These flaws, brought into sharp focus, transform the objects into intimate portraits of history, inviting you to see the beauty in their wear and tear.

This Irish one shilling (1/-) postage stamp features An Claíomh Solais (The Sword of Light), designed by Irish artist John J. O’Reilly for the Irish Free State’s first definitive stamp series, introduced in 1922.

Printed in a distinctive turquoise-blue, the design depicts a hand holding an upright sword, surrounded by elaborate Celtic knotwork and decorative patterns. The inscription An Claidheamh Soluis, an older spelling of An Claíomh Solais, appears around the central illustration.

The Sword of Light is a legendary object from Irish mythology, associated with heroic adventures, power and enlightenment. Its inclusion in Ireland’s earliest definitive stamps reflects the importance of Irish language, culture and national identity in the years following independence.

A beautiful example of early Irish stamp design, this historic stamp captures a significant period in Ireland’s artistic and postal heritage.