10 Pounds 1981, Ireland
| in Banknotes Book | Number: E145 |
| Years of issue: | 02.02.1981 |
| Edition: | -- |
| Signatures: | Governor: Mr. C. H. Murray, Secretary of the Department of Finance: Mr. T. F. O'Cofaigh |
| Serie: | Series "B" Banknotes (1976- 82 & 1989-93) |
| Specimen of: | 01.06.1978 |
| Material: | Cotton fiber |
| Size (mm): | 164 х 86 |
| Printer: | Waterlow and Sons Limited, London |
* All pictures marked 
are increased partially by magnifying glass, the remaining open in full size by clicking on the image.
** The word "Specimen" is present only on some of electronic pictures, in accordance with banknote images publication rules of appropriate banks.
Description
Watermark:
Lady Hazel Lavery (second wife of the famous painter Sir John Lavery).
She is a personification of Ireland on Irish banknotes Serie A.
Avers:
The engraving on banknote is made (on my opinion) after this portrait of Jonathan Swift (Jonathan Swift at the Deanery of St Patrick's, illus. from 1905 Temple Scott edition of Works).
As saying Central Bank of Ireland - the engraving was designed from the bust of Jonathan Swift, held in St. Patricks Cathedral.
Jonathan Swift (30 November 1667 – 19 October 1745) was an Anglo-Irish satirist, essayist, political pamphleteer (first for the Whigs, then for the Tories), poet and cleric who became Dean of St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin.
Swift is remembered for works such as A Tale of a Tub (1704), An Argument Against Abolishing Christianity (1712), Gulliver's Travels (1726), and A Modest Proposal (1729). He is regarded by the Encyclopædia Britannica as the foremost prose satirist in the English language, and is less well known for his poetry. He originally published all of his works under pseudonyms – such as Lemuel Gulliver, Isaac Bickerstaff, M. B. Drapier - or anonymously. He was a master of two styles of satire, the Horatian and Juvenalian styles.
His deadpan, ironic writing style, particularly in A Modest Proposal, has led to such satire being subsequently termed "Swiftian". 
Next to the portrait of Jonathan Swift, the coat of arms of Dublin is shown as it looked on “The Resolutions of the Common Council of the City of Dublin, for Maintaining the Freedom of Elections in the said City” from July 18 1713, which is held in the Royal Irish Academy.
In fact - this is the lesser coat of arms of the city, its central part (without female holders).
Dublin's coat-of-arms is the identifying emblem of the City of Dublin and has been in use in one form or another for at least 400 years. The full coat-of-arms shows three burning castles on a shield, flanked by two female figures.
One holds a scales depicting Justice (without the usual blindfold) - the other, a sword representing Law. Each holds an olive branch. Below the shield on a scroll is the motto of the city "Obedientia Civium Urbis Felicitas" which translates as "The Obedience of the citizens produces a happy city".
The origin of the Coat of Arms is unknown, but there are numerous theories. Three of these include:
The castles are watch towers outside the city walls.
The castle is Dublin Castle and is repeated 3 times because of the mystical significance of the number 3.
The castles are not castles at all, but represent 3 gates into the ancient Viking city. (www.dublincity.ie)
On background is the text of Jonathan Swift's letter to Eaton Stannard (1685-1755 - prominent politician and lawyer of Dublin) dated April 11, 1735. Now this letter held privately in Lord Rothschild’s Library in Merton Hall, Cambridge.
The text in English:
"To the same
Deanery House
Sir,
I believe you may possibly have heard from me, or public report, of my resolution to leave my whole fortune, except a few legacies, to build a hospital for isdiots and lunatics in this city, or the suburbs.
And, after long consideration, I have been so bold to pitch upon you as my director in the methods I eught to take for rendering my design effectual.
I have known and seen the difficulties of any such attempt, by the negligence, or ignorance or some worse dealing by executors and trustees.
I have been so unfortunate, for want of some able friend of a public spirit, that I could never purchase 1 foot of land.
The neighboring country always watching, like crows for a carcase, over every estate that was likely to be sold, and that kind of knowledge was quite out of the life I have led, which, in the strength of my days,chiefly past in courts, and among ministers of state, to my great vexation and disappointment, for which I now repent too late.
I therefor humbly desire you you will please to take me into your guardianship, as far as the wait of your business will permit.
As the city hath agreed to give me a piece of land, my wish would be to make a lord mayor, recorder, and aldermen, my trustees, executors or governors, according as you shall please to advice.
And, out of this, commitees may be appointed to meet in proper times.
My though is, that the city will be carefull in the affair calculated wholly for the city's advantage. If you would favour me so much, as to fix any day during this vacation to dine at the Deanery. I shall be extremely obliged to you, and give you my very crud notions of my intentions.
I am, with great esteem, Sir
Your most obedient and obliged servant,
Jonath. Swift".
Denominations in numerals are in lower left and top right corners. In words - vertically, on left side.
Revers:
The part of the map of Dublin, which was published by John Rocque in 1756. Great Abbey Street and Astons Quay - now known as Middle Abbey Street and Aston Quay respectively are shown as well as the River Liffey.
Denomination is in lower right corner.
Comments:
Series B designers team:
Artist - Patrick Hickey.
Michael Biggs - calligrapher.
Sean Mulcahy - consulting engineer.
Richard Hurley - architect.
Brian Hogan - architect, lecturer, writer.
Many thanks to Richard from Fulfillment & Exchange Team of Currency Issue Division of Central Bank of Ireland for help with all information about images on banknote.
If you find my work useful I will be grateful for any help in supporting the site.
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