Hot Press was launched in 1977, and over the intervening 40 years, has showcased so much that is great in Irish and international music. We've spent the last few months showcasing those decades with historic magazine covers – specially signed by the artists – on display, giving our readers an fresh, and fascinating, look at the history of the magazine and indeed of our collective lives.

More than just a bunch of framed covers on the walls, the exhibition tells the story behind every issue – not just through the cover headlines (an intriguing study in themselves!) but also through information panels and commentary.

With Irish icons including Rory Gallagher, U2, Hozier, The Corrs, Glen Hansard, Imelda May, and others on the walls behind them, local talent have appeared to perform at the exhibition, including the incredible Susan O'Neill and Cronin.

SON (aka Susan O'Neill) played some amazing U2 covers at the HP40 exhibition in the NPA, Temple Bar this afternoon for an enthusiastic crowd of U2 fans ahead of the Croke Park gig this weekend. #u2 #son #susanoneillmusic #hotpress #hotpressmagazine

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We've had chats with founder and editor Niall Stokes, and our extraordinary interviewers and writers including Olaf Tyaransen and Stuart Clark.

We even welcomed President Michael D. Higgins, who said "The importance of Hot Press is that it engaged with all the significant social changes that were taking place in the decades that were the decades of greatest change."

The Exhibition is now in its final weeks at the National Photographic Archive – part of the National Library of Ireland – at Meeting House Square in Temple Bar. It is open daily and admission is free. Have a look at the U2 wall and more, before its run ends in September.

The U2 wall! It just keeps going... #U2 #HotPress #HotPressMagazine #HotPressMagazine #Exhibition #Dublin

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