The Vatican issued four stamps on October 6, 1961, to commemorate the fifteenth centenary of the death of St. Patrick.
The 10-lire (yellow brown and green) and the 40-lire (lemon and green) values depict a medieval statue of Saint Patrick. Both stamps bear the inscription "S. Patrizio Apostolo d'Irlanda 461-1961."
The 15-lire (blue and black brown) and the 150-lire (ultramarine and red brown) values show a panoramic view of the island in Lough Dergh known as "Saint Patrick's Purgatory." These stamps are inscribed "Santuario di S. Patrizio 461-1961" (Sanctuary of Saint Patrick).
Lough Dergh, located in County Donegal, is in the north central part of Ireland, close to the border of Northern Ireland. Saint Patrick is said to have often visited the island in Lough Dergh for meditation and prayer.
The stamps were produced by Italy's "Istituto Poligrafico dello Stato" at Rome. Perforation is 14, and printing is by photogravure on paper watermarked with the Crossed Keys design in panes of forty subjects each. The stamps were designed by Eduardo Pizzi. The stamps remained valid for postage until December 31, 1962.
