names in English printed on the postal orders appeared for the first time. The controversial postal orders of 1992–93 These were the same design as the previous series, but the white margin disappeared, and the denominations were expressed as £ instead of IR£, which led to a storm of protest from the Royal Mail, because it imitated the British Pound sign. The introduction of high-value postal orders In 1993–94, £70 and £100 postal orders were introduced. These have been seldom seen. The final issue The final series of postal orders began on 27 and 28 August 1997 with the same Celtic design format with a building at the bottom. The denominations are expressed with the value in bold black numerals and words on both the building and at left adjacent to the counterfoil below the post office and county names. The official last day of issue In April and May 2001, it was reported that the issue of Irish postal orders was to end just before the change over to the Euro. A date in July 2001 was planned for their withdrawal, then 1 October 2001 and 18 October 2001, but nothing happened. On 31 October 2001, An Post began to withdraw postal orders from all the sub-post offices. Unofficial last days of issue The large post offices and head post offices continued to issue postal orders for around two or three weeks after 31 October 2001. This was due to a dispute between An Post and the Post & Telegraph Union of Ireland. So the unofficial last days of issue are between 1 and 22 November 2001. Postal orders issued in this period are sought after by collectors. References External links Irish overprints on UK postal orders Currencies of the Republic of Ireland Ireland Republic of Ireland postal system