NumisMaster: The “Bucks” of the Irish
As St. Patrick’s Day approaches, Ireland’s iconic Lady Lavery bank notes offer a beautiful glimpse into the nation’s early paper money history.
As frigid February transitions into the month of March, countries across the world prepare to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, which occurs this year on March 17, 2026. The holiday honors Ireland’s patron saint, Saint Patrick, who is credited with bringing Christianity to the island in the 5th century.
But Saint Patrick isn’t the only Irish icon. Although not a saint, the country’s first bank note series shows on all obverses the emblematic figure of Lady Lavery, an American-born painter and wife of portrait artist Sir John Lavery. Premiering in 1928 in Series A bank notes (1928–1975/1977), the reverses of the series show river masks against the facade of the Dublin Custom House and a watermark of the head of Erin. They are noted for their beauty, and variations of the portrait were used in the Series B bank note collection (1976/1982–1989/1993).
Learn more about this note and the others in the series at NumisMaster.com.
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