National Print Museum Dublin
The National Print Museum situated in the old Garrison Chapel of Beggars Bush Barracks, Dublin and is home to a fascinating collection of artefacts and objects relating to printing history.
In this digital age, where information is available at our fingertips, the National Print Museum affords you and your family the opportunity to step back in time to discover the traditional craft of letterpress printing and appreciate the importance of the invention of the printed word.
The museum layout mirrors that of an old printing workshop with composing, printing and finishing areas. On display is a representative collection of this rich, centuries-old printing heritage. Highlights include an original 1916 Proclamation and a replica Gutenberg wooden printing press.
Find out more about the National Print Museum collection and permanent exhibition
The National Print Museum offers an exciting range of activities, events, workshops and educational resources for families and children.
National Print Museum Family Guided Tours
Through three fun and interactive activities and working directly with artefacts from the Museum’s collection, families learn about a selection of the traditional printing machines, are given the opportunity to experience traditional hand-setting and printing and using the Japanese paper craft of origami learn how to make and decorate their very own printer’s hat.
Find out more about the National Print Museum Family Guide Tours
Education Area
The Museum houses a free, interactive, self-guided Education Area for families and children. All activities are related to print, paper craft and the alphabet and include arts & crafts, alphabet games, Museum activity sheets and a Junior Library. All activities encourage family learning, interaction and discovery.
The Education Area is open every day!
Find out more about the National Print Museum Education Area For Families and Children
National Print Museum Family Fun Days
There are a number of Family Days throughout the year where events are run within the National Print Museum to suit all the family. During Family Fun Day’s the Museum becomes a hive of activity with printing demonstrations, printer’s hat-making, face painting, letterpress poster printing, self-guided arts and crafts at the Education Area and mini children’s workshops.
The Museum runs at least two such events each year and admission is free!
Find out dates and times for the National Print Museum Family Fun Days
Children’s Arts and Crafts Workshops 
The Museum runs a variety of arts and crafts workshops for children and teens, relating to the world of printing such as Easy Printmaking, Bookbinding, and themed paper craft workshops such as Easter, Halloween and Christmas Crafts.
The cost of these workshops ranges from €10 – €35.
Find out more about the National Print Museum Children’s Art and Crafts Workshops
National Events and Festivals
The Museum organises activities suitable for families and children linked to national events and festivals such as the St. Patrick’s Festival, Culture Night, Heritage Week, Drawing Day, Science Week, Engineers Week, and Open House Junior.
Find out more about the National Print Museum Events and Festivals
Café – Press
Press is an independent cafe located in the National Print Museum. All the food is lovingly home made using fresh ingredients from Irish suppliers. Try one of the daily chalkboard specials or a cup of delightful Cloud Pickers coffee, roasted and pressed in Dublin. Escape under the archway into a cosy enclave for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon treat on weekdays. A restorative rustic brunch menu is served on weekends.
National Print Museum Opening Times
- Tuesday – Friday 10.00 – 16.00
- Saturday – Sunday 12.00 – 16.00
- Closed Mondays, Public Holidays and Bank Holiday Weekends (Saturday-Monday inclusive)
National Print Museum Admission
- Free general admission. They ask that groups of 10+ email [email protected] to confirm their visit time.
Guided Tours Rates
Look here for up-to-date information
National Print Museum School Tours
Pre-school Workshop
We offer a fun and interactive Mini Printer and Storytelling Workshop for pre-school/ early Montessori groups.
These workshops are most suitable for children aged from 3 – 5 years old.
Find out more about the National Print Museum Pre-school Workshops
Primary School Interactive Tours
The National Print Museum offers an educational, interactive and activity based guided tour specifically designed for Primary School children. Through three tactile and engaging activities and working directly with artefacts from the Museum’s collection, children learn about a selection of the traditional printing machines, are given the opportunity to experience traditional hand-setting and printing and using the Japanese paper craft of Origami learn how to make and decorate their very own printer’s hat.
This tour is also suitable for children’s groups such as Scouts, Brownies, Cubs, Beavers, Summer Projects and After School Clubs.
Find out more about the National Print Museum Primary School Tours
Outreach Programme
The Education Department travels nationally bringing the essence of the Museum into the heart of the community by offering an Outreach Programme consisting of two workshops suitable for children: 1) Printing and Hat making, 2) Bookmaking.
Find out more about the National Print Museum Outreach Programme
How to Get to the National Print Museum
By Car | On Foot | By Bicycle
The National Print Museum is located in the Garrison Chapel of Beggars Bush Barracks in Dublin 4. Arriving from Dublin city centre, head south from Merrion Square, over Mount Street Bridge; take the left at the junction of Northumberland Road and Haddington Road. You will see the barracks on the right. Once inside the Barracks, the Museum is located in the back right-hand corner. Parking is limited within the Barracks and drivers advised to be observant of clamping signs. There is also a bike rack available at the entrance to the museum.
Nearest Dart Station
The nearest DART stations are Lansdowne Road or Grand Canal Dock – both of which are approximately a five-minute walk from the National Print Museum.
Bus Routes
Numbers 4 or 7 to Northumberland Road and Haddington Road Junction.
Access
On the ground floor, visitors will find the Reception, Museum Shop, permanent exhibition, toilets, and Press Café. The ground floor is fully accessible. Entry for wheelchairs users is via the Café. On the mezzanine level, visitors will find the Education Area, lecture and workshop spaces, and temporary exhibitions. The mezzanine level is not accessible to wheelchair users.
