New definitives for Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland's landscape

Images of the Northern Ireland's landscape, coastline and industrial heritage feature on Royal Mail's Northern Ireland Country Definitives issued on 6 March 2001.

Four closely-cropped photographs

Four closely-cropped photographs depict classic images of the country, including the world famous geology of The Giants Causeway and rare and beautiful examples of linen and china.

First ever pictorial definitives for Northern Ireland

Mark Thomson, managing director of Royal Mail said: "These stamps are the first ever pictorial definitives for Northern Ireland and reflect the unique character of the country in the way that only stamps can."

Patchwork Fields (1st class)

Photographer Richard Cooke took to the air in County Londonderry to capture the Patchwork Fields. The distinctive patchwork is a feature of the Northern Ireland landscape.

Giants Causeway (2nd class)

Situated on the Northern coast of County Antrim, the Giants Causeway is a unique and instantly recognisable feature of Northern Ireland's geological heritage. Photography by Christopher Hill.

Linen (E)

Linen manufacture has a long and rich history in Northern Ireland and has been of fundamental importance in the industrial and social history of the province. Northern Ireland has been well known throughout Western Europe since the fifteenth century as a supplier of fine linen yarns. The stamp shows a detail of a linen slip case to hold small personal items. The embroidery technique of drawn threadwork is one of the earliest known and a forerunner of lace. Photography by David Pauley.

Parian China (65p)

The 65p stamp captures in close up the detail of a china oval basket. This type of china has been manufactured for more than 135 years at the Belleek factory. The example featured on the stamp is housed in the Ulster Museum, County Antrim. Photography by Tiff Hunter.

Stamps in detail

Size: 20.3 x 24.1mm.
Perforation: 14.8 x 14.1.
Print: Lithography by Walsall Security Printers.

More information

Stamps United Kingdom
Postage Stamps 2001