Using unpublished resources, Dr Dermot McGuinne has researched John Henry Newman’s direct involvement in the production of an Irish character printing type-face for use at the press of his Catholic University in Dublin, the precursor of UCD.  In light of Newman’s recent sanctification and renewed focus on him as a scholar, theologian and educator, this lecture gave the public the opportunity to hear about his hitherto unrecognised role in the development of an Irish type.

Dr Dermot McGuinne gained his primary degree and early experience as a graphic designer in the United States where he later held the position of Art Director of the University of Iowa Press. He was awarded his doctorate from Trinity College Dublin for work completed on the subject of the ‘Irish Character in Print’ and is author of Irish Type Design – A History of Printing Types in the Irish Character and various articles on this topic.