Four new stamps celebrating the contribution of Irish golfers to the Ryder Cup and Ireland's hosting of the event next year were unveiled at the K Club in Straffan, Co Kildare, last night.
Minister for Communications Noel Dempsey said the stamps were fitting tribute to the enormous contribution that Irish players had made to the Ryder Cup down the years.
The 2002 winning Ryder Cup team included Darren Clarke, Pádraig Harrington and Paul McGinley, who are featured on a 48c stamp, when McGinley's now-famous 10ft putt on the Belfry's 18th green secured the cup's return to Europe. A second 48c stamp features Eamonn Darcy, Christy O'Connor jnr and Philip Walton.
Ronan Rafferty, Christy O'Connor snr - who played in 10 consecutive Ryder Cup competitions - and the late Harry Bradshaw are shown on a 60c stamp.
A 65c denomination shows a photograph of the K Club's 18th hole, designed by Arnold Palmer, with the clubhouse in the background.
The K Club will host the Ryder Cup in September next year.