Summer opening for Kells Printworks with the first exhibition documenting the printing presses, their discovery and conservation

The Kells Printworks at the old Sawmill in the town is expected to be open in late summer next year, with the first exhibition to be held in the premises documenting the printing presses, their discovery and conservation.

At a meeting of Kells Municipal Council last week, Heritage Officer, Loreto Guinan, outlined progress on the project which includes the conversion of the old Sawmills building into a centre of typographic excellence.

The Sawmills, which had been a popular community arts space for over a decade, is undergoing a major development programme and the finished building will including housing for the printing presses downstairs and an exhibition space upstairs with facilities for classes and workshops.

The new centre, when completed, will house fully restored Kells printing presses which date back to the 1830s and at one time printed the Meath Chronicle.

One of the big attractions in the centre will the Wharfedale printing press dating from the 1830s. It is the same make as the Wharfedale press that was used in Liberty Hall, Dublin to print the Irish Proclamation in 1916.

The Wharfedale machine which is now fully working, is one of only two if its kind currently on the island of Ireland and will be the centre piece of an exhibition which will also includes five presses have been meticulously restored.

Ms Guinan recalled that the presses were rediscovered in Maudlin street in 2016 . “It became apparent really quickly that this was a really important collection of Victorian printing presses and metal and wooden type.

“Community artist Mark Smith recognised the value of it and approached the council.”

Surrey-based Father Sean Finnegan, a Kells native, donated the print works to the people of Kells.

She recalled funding was made available in 2017 for the conservation process and the presses were moved to Dublin for the preservation work.

“There were also an extensive paper collection with posters and these were sent to a paper conservator,” she said.

The building works are expected to finish early next year.

The downstairs will house the printing presses while upstairs will have an exhibition space, facilities for children's classes, artist workshops and artists in residence.

The meeting heard that connections had been made with third level colleges in the US and UK as well as a big printing museum in Wisconsin to make them aware of what will be on offer in Kells.

“We held a skills transfer programme this year which included an evening course in Letterpress printing.”

Ms Guinan said the pre opening stage would involve installing and testing the machines, designing and printing merchandise and an opening exhibition.

The opening would tie in with the various festivals in the summer.

“In October we will be linking with the third level colleges and adult learning and later in the year we will be targeting the schools.”

Cllr Eugene Cassidy said it was a great news story for Kells and had phenomenal potential to enhance the town.

Cllr Michael Gallagher predicted it would be a game changer for tourism in the town.