Alice Reilly

Alice Reilly took over her husband Richard’s Dublin printshop after his death in 1741. Unlike many other women printers during the period, Reilly was able to maintain strong ties to the local printer’s guild and paid her dues despite being unable to be a full-member due to her gender. She operated a successful shop out of property that she rented from the guild. Her establishment grew large enough that in 1776 she was supporting six apprentices and seven journeymen. This growth was due in large part to her affiliation with the Dublin Society which gave her regular work printing runs of 500 copies for their newsletter twice a week. Reilly also took on the publishing of books for various local groups including the copy of The ancient and present state of the county and city of Waterford that is included in this exhibition.