Meet the Irish Wolfhound set to feature in Ireland's new passport design

Boánn, a three-year-old Irish Wolfhound, has inspired part of the new design for Ireland's passport books.

"She's a good example of the breed," Mary Potter, Boánn's owner and PRO of the Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland, told RTÉ Radio 1 on Friday, March 8.

Potter was speaking as Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs revealed a preview of the first image of Ireland’s new passport design on Friday, March 8. Last year, the Irish Wolfhound emerged as the top fauna choice to feature in the new design during a public consultation.

"I suppose here in the Irish Wolfhound Club of Ireland we know how much people in Ireland, and indeed worldwide, love the Irish Wolfhound and I think it is their great size, their strength, and their courage, loyalty to their owners, and they're a great link to the ancient past. We say they are the living heartbeat of ancient Ireland.

"And with the new passport, we are delighted because there will now be a connection between the ancient past and Ireland's bright future."

Potter, who noted that the Irish Wolfhound is the oldest of the nine native Irish dog breeds, agreed that the dog breed are "gentle giants."

Potter said she is "absolutely delighted" that Boánn is set to feature on the new Irish passport design.

Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs said on Friday that Tánaiste Micheál Martin TD recently got a preview of the first image of Ireland’s new passport design.

The initial drawings presented to the Tánaiste are the first steps in transforming public feedback into a new Irish passport book design, the Department said.

The Tánaiste said on Friday, March 8: “It was important to see first-hand how the design team is transforming the public’s input into a coherent passport design.

"The Irish passport is a vital document of the Irish State that provides citizens with visa-free access to 192 countries. This redesign is fundamental to maintaining the integrity and reputation of the Irish passport worldwide.

“As well as seeing the initial designs, I was also delighted to meet Boánn, the majestic wolfhound, who has inspired some of the intricate artwork that will feature in our next generation passport."

The Tanaiste added: “The Irish wolfhound was the most popular animal chosen by the public in our recent public consultation, and will feature prominently in our new passport.

"We share this island with a rich variety of plant life and a diverse range of animals and I look forward to seeing future design concepts as they progress.”

Wil Byrne, Secure Document Designer at AG2, said: “It is a pleasure to showcase some of the early high-security artwork for Ireland’s next generation passport.

"The public's insights, Ireland’s rich variety of flora and fauna, and a range of complex security features are all being incorporated into the new design.

"Our overall shared ambition is to ensure the Irish passport remains a world leader by creating the most secure and visually appealing passport for Irish citizens.”

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Early draft sketch of the Irish wolfhound for inclusion in the next passport.

The preview of the Irish passport book design comes a few months after the Tanaiste released a report on the public consultation on the design of the new Irish passport book and card.

The report showed that the Irish Wolfhound, Red Squirrel, and Red Deer were the top three fauna selected, while the shamrock, gorse, and bluebell were the top flora choices.

The Tánaiste added on Friday: “I would encourage anyone who is considering travel over the Easter break or this summer to check that their passport is in date, and to use Passport Online if they need to renew their passport or apply for the first time. Passport Online is the fastest and most convenient way to apply for your passport.”