Do I need prior experience to join?

No. The workshop is designed for beginners; Anthony Burrill and Mary Plunkett guide you through every step.

What’s included in the price?

The €150 fee covers all materials, use of presses, instruction, and lunch.

Is the workshop accessible for wheelchair users?

Yes. The class is on the ground floor and the Museum allows wheelchair entry via the Café; accessible toilets are available.

How long before my print is dry enough to travel with?

Prints typically need 24–48 hours to cure; plan travel accordingly or pack prints flat with protective sheets.

Can I buy supplies after the workshop?

Yes. The Museum Shop stocks paper and sample type to continue practicing after you leave.

How do I book or cancel?

Book via the provided referral link; for cancellation terms, check the booking platform details at time of purchase.

Hands-On Letterpress Workshop with Anthony Burrill at National Print Museum Dublin

On a grey Dublin morning, the National Print Museum’s front doors open into a workshop space that smells of oil and ink. Letterpress Workshop with Anthony Burrill is a six‑hour, hands‑on printing intensive at the National Print Museum in Dublin, County Dublin, Ireland, where participants work with the museum’s wood type collection and working presses to produce a single‑colour poster. Facilitated by Anthony Burrill and guided through the press by Mary Plunkett, the session pairs artist-led instruction with technical know‑how from museum staff.

The day begins with a short orientation to type anatomy—sorts, leads, spacing—and a demonstration on composing a chase, locking type with quoins, and inking a bed‑type press. Participants set their own layout using vintage wood type, place it in the press, and pull several impressions to create a small edition. All materials and lunch are included in the €150 price, and the ground‑floor workshop is fully accessible; wheelchair entry is via the Café.

What makes this workshop stand out is the tactile intimacy of letterpress: the industry’s mechanical rhythm, the subtle impression in cotton paper, and the chance to learn on machines that moved the commercial print of an earlier century. The museum’s wood type collection—racks of carved letters and ornamental borders—offers design possibilities you won’t find in digital classrooms. Beyond technique, the workshop is a living lesson in Dublin’s craft history; the museum preserves presses and equipment that trace the city’s printing and publishing legacy.

Practical notes: the session runs six hours and suits beginners—no prior experience required—though it demands patience and attention to detail. Bring comfortable footwear and a notebook; protective aprons and materials are provided. Expect tactile ink smells and the clack of metal on metal; if you have limited mobility, the ground‑floor setting and accessible facilities make participation straightforward.

For visiting travelers, the museum location in Dublin makes this an easy cultural stop between city sightseeing and a coffee by the River Liffey. The finished print is a portable souvenir and a practical skill you can return to at home. Whether you’re a graphic designer seeking analog techniques or a traveler curious about craft, the Letterpress Workshop with Anthony Burrill delivers a hands‑on, durable experience—a small, noisy, ink‑stained retreat into the mechanics of making.

Participants often leave with renewed respect for the physical craft and a poster that bears the soft emboss of the press; prints usually need a day or two to fully cure. The Museum Shop sells paper and sample type so you can continue projects when you return home. This primer makes the day both a standalone creative experience and a practical starting point for designers, makers, and curious travelers who want to bring an analog process back into practice.

About National Print Museum

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.

Hands-On Letterpress Workshop with Anthony Burrill at National Print Museum Dublin

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