Immerse yourself into a truly authentic experience at the National Print Museum in Dublin City. Its collection is made up largely of letterpress printing equipment. Letterpress is a form of relief printing, which was invented by Johannes Gutenberg in 1439. The invention is one of the greatest known to mankind, as its impact has shaped our histories and its contemporary relevance is greater than ever before.
The main collection is not behind glass or rope, but is instead an example of a working collection, organised like a fully operational print shop. Visitors are invited to roll up their sleeves and pull their own letterpress keepsake.
Visit their website for details of guided tours, where you can explore Ireland's rich printing history. A highlight is undoubtedly the story of the production of the nation's most historic printed document, the 1916 Proclamation.
The temporary exhibitions explore the impact of print and the powerful role it played in shaping our histories. Printed artefacts capture the spirit of the age in which they were created. Print forms an intrinsic part of our lives, and the development, prosperity, and rich heritage of Irish printing form an important part of our national story of craft and industry.
After your visit enjoy homemade fare using fresh ingredients from Irish suppliers at the Press Café.
- Monthly Live Demo at National Print Museum
Family funMonthly Live Demo at National Print Museum Join in on the last Thursday of every month to experience the National Print Museum come to life as it transforms into a working print shop.
- Family Friendly Tour at National Print Museum
Family funFamily Friendly Tour at National Print Museum Designed to involve visitors of all ages, join in for a family-friendly tour of the National Print Museum's working collection and get the chance to make your own poster and printer's hats!
- Print a Letterpress Broadside with Mary Plunkett
History and heritagePrint a Letterpress Broadside with Mary Plunkett This one day workshop will introduce the participants to the craft of letterpress printing with particular reference to the publication ‘A Broadside’ produced by Cuala Press.
- Behind the Scenes at the National Print Museum: Caring for a Working Collection
Free things to doBehind the Scenes at the National Print Museum: Caring for a Working Collection The National Print Museum is a living museum, where visitors are encouraged to partake in letterpress printing. Join them for a talk that will explore some of the journeys these printing presses have made to operational artefacts in the Museum space.
- View the collection, organised like a fully operational print shop.
- Pull your own letterpress keepsake as a memento of your visit.
- Hear the story of how the nation's most historic document, the 1916 Proclamation, was produced.
