National Print Museum to celebrate 30 Bold Years with The BIG Type Festival

The National Print Museum has announced the programme for The BIG Type Festival, a three-day celebration of print, typography, design and creativity, which will take place from 4^th – 6^th September 2026 and mark the Museum’s 30^th anniversary.

Bringing together artists, designers, writers and printmakers from Ireland and abroad, the festival will celebrate the enduring influence of print culture through a programme of talks, workshops, demonstrations, music and family-friendly events.

Reflecting the Museum’s commitment to connecting traditional craft with contemporary culture and creativity, the festival will explore the many ways in which print continues to shape art, literature, social history, science and everyday life.

Festival highlights include:

• An in-conversation event featuring acclaimed artists Anthony Burrill and Maser, exploring typography, design and the power of print.
• A half-day letterpress workshop with Anthony Burrill and designer and printmaker Mary Plunkett.
• A conversation with writer Djamel White on his acclaimed debut novel All Them Dogs, exploring its portrayal of contemporary Dublin, the craft of fiction and what it means to be longlisted for the 2026 Booker Prize.
• A talk by author and designer Annie Atkins on the art of creating paper props for film, drawing on her experience working on films directed by Wes Anderson, Steven Spielberg and others.
• A talk by illustrator, designer and best-selling author Chris Haughton on the evolution of knowledge, communication and information.
• A free Community Day, featuring live printing demonstrations, letterpress, bookbinding, calligraphy, papermaking and hands-on activities for all ages.

Speaking about the festival, CEO and Museum Director of the National Print Museum, Carla Marrinan Funder said: “The BIG Type Festival is a celebration of everything the National Print Museum has achieved over the past 30 years, but it’s equally about looking to the future. Print continues to shape how we communicate, create and tell stories, and this festival reflects the breadth, creativity and enduring relevance of print culture today.”

Founded in 1996, the National Print Museum is the custodian of Ireland’s national collection of printing heritage, celebrating and preserving the story of printing and its impact on Irish society. Through The BIG Type Festival, the Museum is inviting audiences of all ages to discover the continuing importance of print – from traditional letterpress techniques to 3D-printing, publishing and contemporary visual culture.

Ms Marrinan Funder added: “As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we look forward to welcoming both long-standing supporters and first-time visitors for a weekend of fascinating talks and discussions, as well as a series of fun, hands-on experiences for visitors of all ages. We hope the festival will allow people to experience print in engaging and unexpected ways, and shine a light on the creativity, craftsmanship and stories at the heart of print culture.”

The BIG Type Festival takes place at the National Print Museum and partner venues from Friday, 4^th September to Sunday, 6^th September 2026.

Full programme details and ticket information are available at nationalprintmuseum.ie

 The festival is supported by the Department of Culture, Communication and Sport’s After Hours at the Museum Scheme, the Aviva Stadium Community Fund and the Design and Crafts Council of Ireland.