Ways to experience the book of kells and the old library exhibition. The college proper occupies 190,000 m 2 47 acres, with many of its buildings ranged around large quadrangles known as squares and two playing fields. The extraordinary book and the impressive long room at trinity college library attract a growing public each year. Its also home to the book of kells, the most astonishing illuminated manuscript of medieval europe still in existence. According to tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience trinity college dublin. Ive strolled through it many times during my trips to dublin. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 contains the four gospels in. A visit to the book of kells at the old library in trinity college dublin is a journey through some of irelands most iconic cultural heritage. The 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four gospels of the life of jesus christ.
Learn more about the book of kells with trinitys free online co. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier old latin translation. The book of kells and the old library are located in the heart of dublin city, in trinity college dublin. Due to its picturesque setting and the famous people connected with it oscar wilde studied here trinity college is one of the citys main tourist.
The book of kells is to be removed from public display in trinity college dublin for four months from next monday, due to conservation works. Visit trinity college dublin and the book of kells exhibition. The gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including canon tables, or concordances of gospel passages common to two or more of the. Facilities on campus include the old library and book of kells exhibition, a shop, a coffee shop, sports bar and the new sports centre with swimming pool, steam and sauna room and an exercise studio. Our first stop was trinity college, the 422 year old college which is also the university of dublin. Trinity college, dublin old library, houses the famous book of kells. But when i stopped in on sunday july 10, i found an improbably long queue of visitors waiting to see the most famous illuminated manuscript ever rescued from a bog. It was built in the early 18th century and contains many treasures, the most famous of which are the book of kells, brian borus harp, and the marble busts which line the. The rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. Dublin book of kells and trinity college rick steves. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin castle. Book of kells, trinity college, things to do, dublin.
Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. Trinity collegebook of kells dublin, ireland youtube. Trinity college book of kells tour trinity college dublin. I love losing myself in their pages on a rainy day. I love this stunning library at trinity college in dublin. Together with opera amsterdam, we are getting started on designing the book of kells exhibition. Trinity college and the book of kells, dublin city. Inside is housed the book of kells a 9thcentury gospel manuscript famous throughout the world.
Known as one of the oldest and most famous universities in ireland, trinity college dublin is located in the centre of our capital city, dublin, ireland, on college. Book of kells, trinity college, dublin, ireland top 10 things to see and do altitude. Trinity to shelve book of kells for four months the irish times. Trinity college, dublin and the book of kells on my two previous visits to ireland, i was delighted to visit the book of kells at trinity college, dublin. Trinity college dublin ireland is the author of the book of kells 4.
College green trinity college dublin, dublin 2 ireland. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Trinity college dublin is right in the heart of dublin and served well by cross city buses. The book of kells sometimes known as the book of columba, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. With over 2000 of the oldest books housed in this gorgeous library, plus the book of kells, the 9th century gospel manuscript, what else could you ask for. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. The first thing i did was to head to trinity college and visit the old library, and the exhibit on the book of kells. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. It is the oldest university in ireland and is famous for its graduates such as swift, goldsmith, wilde and beckett. We had about a 20 minute wait to get into the library. Trinity college dublin is commencing its first phase of redevelopment plans at its old library to ensure the conservation of the 18th century.
The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. Book of kells, trinity college, dublin, ireland top 10. Trinity college, dublin and the book of kells blogger. Trinity college in dublin, ireland looks incredibly beauti. The book of kells, which is on display in trinity college, was written around the year 800 ad and is one of the most beautifully illustrated manuscripts in the world. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland or may have had contributions from various columban institutions from both britain and ireland. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin trinity college. Just two of the pages are without ornament, while about thirty folios, including some major decorated pages, have been lost. English brochure irish brochure french brochure spanish brochure. During my recent visit to dublin, ireland i was able to make my way over to the old library at trinity college, home to the book of kells exhibit. Whether a rousing account of the history of women in the college, or a lushly illustrated coffee table edition, trinitys book collection will both exhilarate and delight. The book is the most famous manuscript in the library of trinity college dublin where it is permanently on display. Located on college green in a historic area of dublin, trinity college is an esteemed academic institution that dates all the way back to 1592. I am doing some research into ticket options for trinity collegebook of kells on their website.
Book of kells to be removed from public display at trinity college. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. The book of kells contains 680 pages or 340 folios. Weve got the perfect gift to celebrate your special occasion. The library began with the founding of trinity college in 1592. In 1661, henry jones presented it with the book of kells, its most famous manuscript. Trinity college dublin ireland author of the book of kells. A walk through trinity college and the book of kells will bring you back to the 18 th century, when the maginificent old library building was constructed. Amidst 47 acres of classic and modern buildings, stunning grounds and irelands oldest. I had one free day in dublin and it was sunny and quite warm actually.
Fainche ryan, loyola institute, trinity college dublin. Our goal is to enhance the visitor experience by optimizing the visitor flow and by creating a new state of the art exhibition. It is the foremost irish university and is among the most respected englishspeaking universities in the world. Choose from a wide range of unique trinity college gifts, perfect for alumni, graduates, students and visitors to our campus. Our online book of kells brochures are available in the following languages. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. Book of kells, trinity college library the long room, shops, pubs a stop at bruce springsteens favorite, chester. Trinity college is now surrounded by central dublin and is located on college green, opposite the historic irish houses of parliament. Founded by a royal charter, it was established in an era when the first universities were springing up all over western europe. The old library at trinity college is one irelands biggest attractions. Trinity college dublin 2020 all you need to know before. Visitor attractions include the old library and the book of kells exhibition, gift shop, science gallery, zoological museum and cafes.
If you are planning on visiting trinity college library and the book of kells i would give yourself a minimum of two hours. There are fantastic informational displays leading. St matthew is represented by the man, st mark by the lion, st luke by the calf and st john by the eagle. Davids been here presents one of dublins main attractions, trinity college and the book of kells. Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. But despite visiting dublin on numerous occasions, i had never visited one of the most famous books, in one of the most famous libraries, in the world the book of kells in the trinity college library. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 is celebrated for its lavish decoration. Folio129v contains symbols of the four evangelists. Founded in 1592, trinity is irelands topranked university. Most of your questions are answered on the trinity college website for the book of kells exhibition, especially the plan your visit and book online pages off the menu on the left side. Trinity college is easily accessible by public transport and the aircoach service from dublin airport drops off at the front gate of the college. The book of kells is ireland s greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel.
The book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college dublin each year. Written around the year 800 ad, the book of kells contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels in a latin text based on the vulgate edition completed by. Situated in the centre of irelands vibrant capital city, trinitys stunning campus is home to a community of scholars at the cutting edge of research and teaching. Stay at trinity college dublin in the heart of dublin and explore all that tcd has to offer including the book of kells exhibition, trinity gift shop and more. Trinity college tour the book of kells ireland with locals. Lasting 35 minutes, the tour encompasses the four major squares of the college. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. A walk around trinity college in dublin, inside the narrow room library and outside the building that houses the book of kells subscribe like, comment and. College green trinity college dublin, dublin 2, ireland. Aug 9, 2014 four gospels illuminated by the columban monasteries 800 a. The dart stations of pearse street, tara street and connolly station are a short walk away. Wandering onto the gorgeous trinity college campus, i instantly fell in love with the beautiful architecture surrounding the campus.
Trinity college dublin is the oldest university in ireland, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i and famous for its graduates such as swift, goldsmith, wilde and beckett. Further materials are held in storage in stacks, either in closed access within college or at a book depository in the dublin suburb of santry. The old library at trinity college dublin, dating back to the 1500s, is irelands oldest library and one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Trinity is one of the oldest universities in the world and one of the most beautiful, with its imposing buildings and leafy grounds in the heart of dublin city. Most people visit primarily to see the famous book of kells, just one of a wonderful collection of precious books in the old library. Right in the heart of downtown dublin is trinity college, where you can find the long room and the book of kells. See more ideas about book of kells, illuminated manuscript and celtic art. Authenticity tours offers a combined ticket which incorporates discounts on the cost of a guided tour of trinity college dublin and the admission fee to the book of kells and old library exhibition. The old library and the book of kells trinity college.
Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. It provides visitors with an insight into the more than four. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. Trinity college dublin, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth 1, provides for a fascinating visit and it is one of irelands top attractions. The library is like a piece of heaven on earth for book lovers of course and also for others as it is exceptionally calm and informative. Google book of kells trinity college and it will pop right up first in the search results.