On 27 May, 2010, An Post issued a single stamp to commemorate the birth centenary of Máirtín Ó Direáin. Máirtín Ó Direáin was born in Sruthán, Inis Mór, Aran Islands on 29 November, 1910. He was the son of a small farmer and spoke only Irish until his mid-teens. In 1928, he left the island to work in Galway Post Office and later became involved in the Irish Language Theatre through Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League), a body whose aim was to preserve the Irish Language.

In 1938, Máirtín moved to the Civil Service, and after a chance attendance at a lecture that year, he was inspired to write poetry. Máirtín published two collections, Coinnle Geala (1942) and Dánta Aniar (1943) at his own expense. These collections established him as a poet with a powerful and distinctive voice. His work reflects the interest and concerns he showed regarding the conflicts of rural and urban, traditional and modern. He received awards from the Irish American Cultural Institute, and the Freiherr von Stein Foundation, Hamburg, as well as an honorary degree from the National University of Ireland (NUI). Máirtín Ó Direáin died in Dublin in 1988.

The stamp depicts an original painting by Thomas Ryan RHA, of Máirtín Ó Direáin set against the backdrop of the Aran Islands, with typography and layout by Steve Simpson. The first day cover was designed by Steve Simpson and features the poem, An tEarrach Thiar from Máirtín Ó Direáin Na Dánta © An Clóchomhar Teo/Cló lar-Chonnachta.

• Technical Details Date of Issue : 27 May, 2010
• Value & Quantity : 55c (.294m)
• Illustration : Thomas Ryan RHA
• Typography & Layout : Steve Simpson
• Stamp size : 40.64mm x 29.79mm
• Colour : Multicolour with phosphor tagging
• Make-up : Sheetlets of 16
• Perforations : 15 x 14
• Printing Process : Lithography Printer : Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd.
• Price: €0.55

Source: An Post http://www.irishstamps.ie/shop/p-955-55c-stamp.aspx

published June 11th, 2010