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Two young boys hold up a piece of paper with the word BIG printed on it in yellow ink.
The BIG Type Festival
Celebrating 30 Bold Years of the National Print Museum
Cobalt streak
Pink Spot

Dates

Friday 4 September - Sunday 6 September
See full opening hours

Duration

3 days

The BIG Type Festival

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

Bookings now open!

Festival highlights include: 

  • An in-conversation event featuring acclaimed artists Anthony Burrill and Maser, exploring typography, design and the power of print: BOOK HERE
  • A half-day letterpress workshop with Anthony Burrill and graphic artist and printer Mary Plunkett: BOOK HERE
  • 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: BOOK HERE
  • An evening of talks, one 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, and another by illustrator, designer, and best-selling author Chris Haughton, exploring the evolution of knowledge, communication, and information: BOOK HERE
  • A free Community Day, featuring live printing demonstrations, calligraphy, bookbinding, papermaking and hands-on activities for all ages: READ MORE

 

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. Media partner: The Irish Times. Venue partner: Department of Climate, Energy and Environment.

Full programme available in Irish and English here

A photograph of author Chris Haughton standing in front of a shelf of colourful books.
An elderly man and two young boys laugh in a museum space.
A photograph of author Djamel White standing in front of trees.
A photograph of artist Annie Atkins looking down as she works at a desk.
A photograph of artist Anthony Burrill standing in front of a stone wall.

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