Garrison Chapel – National Print Museum

Overview

The Garrison Chapel at Beggars Bush Barracks is one of Dublin’s hidden cultural gems. Built as a military chapel in the early 19th century, the building was repurposed in 1996 to become Ireland’s only museum dedicated to the art and history of printing. Today, the National Print Museum invites guests to step inside a living archive of over 10,000 artefacts, from Gutenberg‑era type to an original 1916 Proclamation, all set within the chapel’s lofty, vaulted interior.

History

The chapel was originally constructed to serve the soldiers stationed at Beggars Bush Barracks, a key site for the British Army in the 1800s. After the barracks were decommissioned, the chapel fell into disuse until a group of retired printers and compositors rescued the space in the 1990s. Their vision was to preserve the craft of printing, which was rapidly disappearing with the advent of digital technology. Officially opened by President Mary Robinson in 1996, the museum has since been accredited by The Heritage Council’s Museum Standards Programme and forms part of Dublin’s UNESCO City of Literature designation.

What to See & Do

• Permanent Collection – The ground‑floor exhibition is arranged like a 1960s print shop. Visitors can see fully operational Wharfdale, Columbian and Titan Glockner presses, as well as Linotype and Monotype machines. Highlights include Ireland’s oldest printing artefact (a c. 1706 hand‑held casting mould) and a rare original 1916 Proclamation, which tells the story of its clandestine production during the Easter Rising.
• Hands‑on Printing – Unlike many museums, the artefacts are not locked behind glass. Guests are encouraged to compose type, set a press, and print a personalised poster under the guidance of knowledgeable volunteers.
• Temporary Exhibitions – The mezzanine level hosts rotating shows such as Poster Boys (1970s‑80s Abbey Theatre posters) and the Brendan Behan centenary exhibition, both free to the public.
• Guided Tours – Daily tours at 11:30 am and 2:30 pm (Monday–Friday, plus free Sunday tours) run for 45–60 minutes, covering everything from Gutenberg to the 20th‑century Irish printing boom. Tours cost €8 for adults and €5 for concessions and are included with the Go City Dublin Explorer Pass.
• Workshops & Demonstrations – Letterpress workshops (€20‑€50) let participants create their own prints, while Heritage Week demo days showcase live operation of the Linotype and other historic machines.
• Press Café & Shop – The on‑site Press Café serves homemade Irish dishes, Cloud Pickers coffee and award‑winning scones. The museum shop offers limited‑edition prints, books on typography and bespoke stationery.

Practical Information

• Website: National Print Museum
• Contact: +353 1 660 3770 (info@nationalprintmuseum.ie)
• Location & Map: The chapel sits in the back‑right corner of Beggars Bush Barracks. See the exact spot on Google Maps.
• Accessibility – The ground floor, including the exhibition, café and toilets, is wheelchair‑accessible via the café entrance. The mezzanine (temporary exhibitions) is stairs‑only. Guide dogs are welcome, and the museum provides large‑text booklets and a Visual Story document for visitors with visual impairments.
• Transport – Dublin Bus routes 4 and 7 stop at Haddington Road. The nearest DART stations are Lansdowne Road and Grand Canal Dock, each a 10‑minute walk away. On‑site parking is not available; street parking on Haddington Road is the usual option.
• Nearby Attractions – Pair your visit with EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum (10 min by car), Trinity College’s Book of Kells (15 min walk), a stroll through Saint Stephen’s Green, or a short bus ride to Ardgillan Castle for gardens and family‑friendly activities.

The Garrison Chapel’s blend of historic architecture and interactive printing heritage makes it an ideal stop for culture lovers, families, and anyone curious about the craft that shaped modern Ireland.