europe: Northern Ireland, Bank of Ireland - £5 & £10 Polymer Notes Series Dated 2017

Northern Ireland

Bank of Ireland
Currency : Pound Sterling (GBP)

These two notes of £5 & £10 Polymer notes were released on 27/02/2019. The main features of these two notes are basically the same as those last paper notes series issued.

Designs for both notes
Front - Hibernia seated, heraldic shields each representing one of the 6 counties of Northern Ireland - County Tyrone, County Antrim, County Down, County Londonderry, County Armagh and County Fermanagh. Five-leaf clover. See-through window with the image of Medusa's head. Those snakes on Medusa's head represent the cycle of life - symbolising rebirth and death. Two x four raised dots in square formation (£10 only) are also included on the note for the benefit of those who are visually impaired.
Back - Old Bushmills Distillery, the world's oldest licensed whiskey distillery. This design was first appeared on the notes in 2008 when the bank released 3 paper notes of £5, £10 & £20 to coincide with the celebrating of 400th Year of Royal Granding Licence of Old Bushmills Distillery by King James l. This distillery is located in County Antrim and is a very popular tourist attraction more than 100,000+ visitors a year. It's got to be the alcohol in the Whisky!!

Colours
£5 - predominately blue;
Size: *66mm x 126mm (previous paper note *70mm x 136mm)

£10 - predominately brown.
Size: *70mm x 133mm (previous paper note *76mm x 143mm)

* Give or take 0.5mm to 1mm

Whilst the main features are more or less the same as those last paper notes issued, in my opinion these notes are much better designed/looking as they are not crowded with too many security features or eye soaring objects/images. The designs are clear, simple and for both notes, it gives a very old traditional look for a banknote and yet it's printed on modern polymer subtract technology. If you compare these polymer notes to those latest issued by Australia, you will know what I mean.

The announcement for these two new notes were made on 06/11/2018.
Both notes are printed with the date of 31/05/2017.
Signature: Thomas McAreavey, UK Chief Financial officer.

Five Pounds