New An Post stamps honouring Daniel O’Connell designed by David Rooney spark controversy

Two new stamps from An Post were unveiled today by Taoiseach Micheál Martin, to mark the 250th anniversary of Daniel O’Connell's birth — however, one stamp has caused controversy, with some wondering if AI was used.

Created by Hot Press illustrator Dave Rooney, the stamp shows O'Connell – the man they called The Great Liberator – travelling through Dublin on a chariot, after his release from Richmond Prison in 1844. Behind O'Connell, a building appears to have a television aerial affixed to it.

Needless to say, television was not received in Ireland until upwards of 105 years after the events depicted on the stamp. So what was behind its inclusion in the illustration? Fans of David Rooney will not be surprised, either by the surreal detail, or by the attendant controversy.

RTÉ claimed that members of the public reached out with concerns that the image was the product of generative AI, given that AI tends to falter on small details. However, An Post has spoken out to clear the air. The aerial was not accidental – far from it!

"An Post is one of the most prolific and constant commissions of Irish art and design," An Post said, in a statement responding to the queries. "We do not use AI in stamp design.

"Our brilliant designer/artist David Rooney included a ‘visual signal’ to link to the very modern, global range and impact of O’Connell. O’Connell’s methods, in terms of Communications and galvanising the population, were thoroughly modern – hence the inclusion of a sort of anachronism to link those very points.

"The conversations around the stamps will serve O’Connell and the celebrations of his 250th well," An Post added. "Hopefully, it will prompt some thought around O’Connell not just being a man of his times, but a man for our times too."

David Rooney – widely known among musicians in particular for his brilliant illustrations in Hot Press – also responded to the queries, describing how he has often included surreal elements in his art, during 40 years of working as a professional illustrator.

"I guess in the AI environment we now inhabit, these elements may be misread," Rooney said.

"The inclusion of the tiny tv aerial in the O’Connell stamp was, of course, deliberate and not a mistake on my part. I thought it would be interesting to allude to and imagine the impact the great communicator Daniel O’Connell’s mass rallies would have had, if they had been televised. I was greatly taken by the fantastical and surreal elements in his pageantry."

Rooney took the opportunity also to comment on the state of art in the age of AI, noting, "I am glad I’m not starting out into this crazy world."

Surrealism, it seems, may be on the way out!

"It is fascinating to realise that a typical, added surreal element could spark a debate over the authenticity – or otherwise – of the work being created by this artist’s own hand," Rooney said.

"My heart goes out to art students who have the ambition to hone a craft, like I did, over the decades. They are moving rapidly into uncharted territory, or as the ancient maps put it, ‘Here there be monsters’."

"I put a lot work into these stamps which I’m very proud of," David added. "Thanks to An Post, it was wonderful to have the opportunity to celebrate the great Daniel O’Connell and add to other stamp commissions I’ve had from them over the years."

And he added a final technical note...

"The technique is scraperboard," he said, "which is digitally scanned and coloured."

So, now you know. Every scrape of the illustration was carefully planned and executed – including the TV aerial.

• Together with the stamps, a limited edition First Day Cover envelope featuring O'Connell's historic statue is available at selected post offices, and online at anpost.com/history (with free delivery) today.