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First SOAR issue. Set of 4 Inland Waterways from Postal Service machine in GPO on first day of issue 21/7/2008. This set was also offered by the Philatelic Bureau with same printing details. A number of problems were encountered and the machine was taken out action before the end of the first day. On returning, the machine in the bureau had the reference number of 9801 instead of 025. All other service centres are now identified using the same 98** numbering sequence. ( Full list on page 3)

2013 is denoted by the letter F, followed by 3 digit number.  

Example of 2nd SOAR issue. Set of 4 Wildflowers were issued on 22/7/2010 and used as a trial in a number of post offices throughout the country. The difference between these and the stamps from the postal service machines were as follows:

1) Printed from Epson Printer at Post office counter.

2) Numbered 1-600 in bottom right hand corner.

3) 5 digit date ~ first two digits for year and following for day    number of the year. Shown opposite is a unique collectors example as the date is 11111 i.e. the 111th day of 2011. This will never be repeated and is a highly sought after set of 4.

4) Amount could be any number ~ decided by post office clerk depending on what amount was needed. (Lowest value of €0.01)

5) 'Eire' in top right hand corner.

6) Number under date denotes individual post office (first 3 or 4 digits) followed by post office issue number.

7) Stamps could be overprinted with text denoting 6 different postal services ~ Standard Post; Express Post; Express Post With Signature; Registered Post; Courier Post & Priority Parcel.

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