Sometimes called "The hobby of Kings and the King of hobbies" stamp collecting is one of the most popular collecting hobbies in the world. Some people collect stamps just as a hobby but others collect stamps in the hope that they will find a rare stamp that is worth millions. Of course the reason for collecting should not matter as long as the collector has fun.

In St. Brigid's College the student has the opportunity of trying her hand at stamp collecting. There are meetings every Tuesday with Ms. Kane and Canon Brennan, both experts in this field. You can begin by collecting stamps with a special theme such as ships, trees, trains etc.

Stamp collecting is not only about stamps but first day Covers, Cancellation marks, miniature sheets and maximum cards. Stamp collecting indeed is not boring but requires a lot of patience.

The school has won many prizes over the years in such competitions as the "Young Philatelist of the Year" and even abroad.

Although there is no pressure to submit a stamp project, there certainly is a great feeling of achievement when you finish one. Unfortunately, the age of stamp Collecting is coming to an end, or so it seems. Stamp Collecting is competing against the likes of call cards, trainspotting, bottle caps and even beer mats. However, unlike marbles and pogs, there is still life in the stamp collecting industry.

As I wrote before, "The hobby of Kings and the King of Hobbies"

By Emer O'Grady.