Ireland – £20 (Twenty Irish Pounds) – 08 April 1998 Pick# 77b | Numista# 204198

Issued during the final years of the Irish Pound, the 1998 £20 note from Series C commemorates Daniel O’Connell—renowned statesman, reformer, and advocate for Catholic emancipation. His legacy as a unifying figure in Irish history is reflected in the note’s design, which blends political symbolism with architectural heritage. This issue represents Ireland’s cultural pride and democratic ideals prior to the euro transition in 2002.

Issuer: Central Bank of Ireland (Banc Ceannais na hÉireann)

Date of Issue: 08.04.1998
Denomination: £20 (Twenty Irish Pounds)
Currency: Irish Pound (IEP)
Series: Series C
Catalog References: Pick# 77b, Numista# 204198
Signatories: Muiris S. Ó Conaill & P. Mullarkey
Dimensions: 136 × 72 mm
Material: Paper
Printer: Central Bank of Ireland, Dublin
Withdrawal Date: 2002 (demonetized)

Obverse Design: Portrait of Daniel O’Connell, known as “The Liberator,” with Derrynane Abbey (his ancestral home in County Kerry) in the background. Text includes Banc Ceannais na hÉireann and Fiche Punt (Twenty Pounds).

Reverse Design: Depicts the Four Courts in Dublin, symbolizing Ireland’s legal and civic institutions. In the background, a facsimile of the 1845 pledge signed by Irish statesmen advocating for national unity. Brickwork detail subtly incorporates repeated “£20” microtext.

Designer: Robert Ballagh

Security Features: Watermark (Lady Hazel Lavery), embedded metallic security thread, microprinting, and latent image.