Martin McGuinness portrait to appear on special Christmas stamp

» Michael McMonagle

‘Martin has left to us all his memory, the legacy of his activism in our quest for a new Ireland’

MARTIN McGUINNESS will appear on a special stamp in his native Derry this Christmas.

The stamp has been produced as part of the annual Christmas postage scheme organised by Derry Sinn Féin which has operated in the city for the last 40 years.

This year’s stamp features an image of Martin McGuinness, who passed away in March.

Martin McGuinness had long been a supporter of the Christmas post scheme and it was decided that he should feature on this year’s stamp to celebrate his life and legacy.

The stamp features a picture of a young Martin McGuinness taken in the early 1970s when he came to prominence in the Republican Movement in Derry and nationally.

Speaking as the special commemorative stamp went on sale, Foyle Sinn Féin MLA Raymond McCartney said it was a fitting tribute to the legacy of Martin McGuinness.

“This year it was decided by the party membership that the commemorative stamp should be in honour of Martin McGuinness.

“Martin has left to us all his memory, the legacy of his activism in our quest for a new Ireland.”

While the Christmas post is well-supported every year, it is thought demand for this year’s commemorative stamp is likely to be very high, given the huge respect amongst so many people for Martin.

Raymond McCartney encouraged anyone wishing to avail of the Christmas post scheme or get the commemorative stamp to contact a Sinn Féin office in Derry.

“The annual Sinn Féin post has been a feature of the Christmas period in Derry now for over 30 years and I would encourage people to make use of it. Christmas cards will be delivered to any part of Derry City for the minimal price of 20p,” he said.

Cards can be left at the Sinn Féin Office on the Racecourse Road, Shantallow, Ráth Mór office on the New Road (028 7137 7551) and at the Spencer Road and Strand Road offices.