100th Anniversary of the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake

Ireland · 2024 · €1.40

This stamp commemorates the centenary of the Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake, a lottery established in 1930 to fund hospitals. The design features a stylized graphic of a running horse, a nurse, and lottery tickets, representing the key elements of the sweepstake which was famous for its association with major horse races.

The Irish Hospitals' Sweepstake was a major source of funding for Ireland's healthcare system for over 50 years, raising millions of pounds and becoming an international phenomenon before its decline and eventual end in 1987.