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Celebrate Irish aviation-era graphic design at the National Print Museum in Dublin with a designer talk, a live Vandercook #4 printing demo, and the launch of a limited edition letterpress print. Free for National Heritage Week 2026 — booking essential.
Celebrate Irish aviation-era graphic design at the National Print Museum in Dublin with a designer talk, a live Vandercook #4 printing demo, and the launch of a limited edition letterpress print. Free for National Heritage Week 2026 — booking essential.
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Operated by National Print Museum · Dublin, County Dublin
At the National Print Museum in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland, 'Come Fly With Me' Limited Edition Print Launch offers a two‑hour collision of design history and hands‑on craft. Celebrating the exhibition 'Come Fly With Me: Aviation, tourism and Irish design,' the event on Saturday 22 August (2pm–4pm) brings together the exhibition’s designer Niall McCormack and the Museum's Letterpress Learning Officer, Mary Plunkett, for a talk, a live demonstration at the Museum’s Vandercook #4 press, and the unveiling and sale of a new limited edition letterpress print. Free to attend for National Heritage Week 2026 but booking is essential, the launch is a compact cultural stop for travelers who want a tangible souvenir and a snapshot of mid‑century Irish graphic culture.
Inside the Museum, you’ll hear about the 1940s–1960s era when aviation reshaped tourism and visual identity across Ireland. The exhibition frames posters, ticket stubs, and travel ephemera as design artifacts; the new print translates those historical cues into a contemporary letterpress object. Mary Plunkett’s demonstration cuts through jargon — the rhythm of inking rollers and the deliberate pressure of a hand-fed Vandercook #4 are clarifying and almost musical, a reminder that design has texture and weight beyond pixels.
The venue wears its industrial heritage lightly: the ground floor reception, shop, toilets and Press café are fully accessible, and visitors can slip under the café’s archway to a cosy eating area serving homemade Irish treats and Cloud Pickers roasted coffee. Note that the exhibition itself sits on a mezzanine that requires stairs, and the Museum welcomes guide and service dogs. The Letterpress Learning Officer role and this print project are supported by the Heritage Council’s Heritage Organisations Support Fund, adding local cultural value to the launch.
For travelers based in Dublin, this event is an efficient cultural detour — it runs two hours, is centrally located, and pairs well with a walking tour of nearby design and cultural sites. It’s a rare chance to see a professional designer explain concept-to-press decisions, then watch those decisions become a tactile limited edition you can buy on the spot. Photographers and designers will appreciate the ink-stained details; history buffs will enjoy the aviation narrative; casual visitors will leave with a better sense of how printmaking shapes visual memory.
Plan to reserve a free ticket in advance, allow time for the café, and arrive ready to listen, photograph small-scale craft, and shop for a print that encapsulates Ireland’s aviation and tourism graphic legacy. Whether you are a design student, an avid collector, or a curious traveler, this launch compresses curatorial insight and craft in two hours—expect friendly conversation, printed evidence of the design process, and a small limited edition artifact that travels home easily in luggage.
easy.
2 hours.
Low — suitable for most visitors; expect some standing during the demo and light walking around galleries
Yes—booking is essential even though tickets are free for National Heritage Week 2026; reserve through the event booking link.
Yes, the launch is free to attend as part of National Heritage Week, but spots are limited and booking is required.
The ground floor reception, shop, toilets and Press café are fully accessible; the mezzanine exhibition is only reachable by stairs.
Yes—the print will be launched for sale after the demonstration; quantities are limited so arriving early is recommended.
Photography for personal use is generally allowed, but be respectful of the demonstration and other visitors; flash may be discouraged near machinery.
The museum is in central Dublin with good public transport access; check local transit options and nearby parking in advance.
The exhibition focuses on 1940s–1960s aviation and tourism graphic design, a period that marked Ireland’s postwar expansion of international travel and visual identity.
The Museum preserves mechanical printing techniques and promotes responsible handling of paper artifacts; visitors are asked to respect exhibits and avoid touching items unless invited.
The National Print Museum in Dublin preserves and presents the history and craft of printing for visitors of all ages. Located in Dublin, County Dublin, the museum offers guided tours, family activities, hands-on workshops, and live demonstrations that showcase historic printing equipment and contemporary graphic design. Exhibits include working machines and archival material that illustrate the development of movable type and mechanical printing from Gutenberg-era influences to modern letterpress practice. Visitors can join structured experiences such as a Family-Friendly Tour that lets children create printed posters and printer’s hats, a Guided Historical Tour that features an original 1916 Proclamation and printing demonstrations, and specialised workshops like letterpress Christmas card sessions for beginners. Monthly live demonstrations are conducted by retired printers who operate machines such as the Linotype and Wharfdale press, making complex processes accessible and engaging. The museum also hosts illustrated talks and design-focused events, connecting historical printing techniques with Irish graphic design movements. On-site café service offers homemade food and refreshments for a comfortable visit. Educational programmes accommodate school groups and families, while workshops welcome adults seeking practical print skills. As a dedicated cultural institution, the National Print Museum prioritises conservation, interpretation, and public engagement. Information is provided by experienced staff and volunteers, and activities are designed to be informative, hands-on, and safe. The museum’s combination of original artefacts, working machinery, and instructional experiences makes it a reliable destination for anyone interested in the history and practice of printing. Visit to explore prints, learn skills, and appreciate craftsmanship today.
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