Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour. It is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels dating from more than years ago. The exhibition that houses the ancient texts also provides for a visit of the old library which is well worth seeing. The library began with the founding of trinity college in 1592. First your guide takes you through the colleges library, exploring the area known as the long room thats lined with books and statue busts. Whether a rousing account of the history of women in the college, or a lushly illustrated coffee table edition, trinity s book collection will both exhilarate and delight. Dec 31, 2008 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. I had heard it mentioned more times than i can count but was not sure what. Located in the heart of the city in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book. Go to dublin and visit the trinity college library and the book of kells for yourself. The book of kells, dating from about 800 ce, is a beautifully decorated manuscript of the four gospels.
It is the oldest university in ireland, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i, and is famous for its graduates such as swift, goldsmith, wilde and beckett. Generally speaking, the library closes at 1700, though there are some exceptions. Trinity college dublin 2020 all you need to know before. As part of our preparation for seachtain the gaeilge and all things irish we decided to visit trinity college to view the book of kells. 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. A few years later it reached trinity college where it remains today. A visit to the book of kells is included and your students will gain valuable insight in the history of the college and the significance of the book of kells a tour not to be missed. Trinity college dublin, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth 1, provides for a fascinating visit and it is one of irelands top attractions. A visit to trinity college and the trinity college library to see the ancient book of kells truly made my dublin travel experience more complete. Trinity colleges library has been responsible since 1801 for keeping a copy of every book published in ireland.
An illustrated introduction to the manuscript in trinity college, dublin second edition. The two ways to avoid paying the 10 fee to see the books of kells are as follows to see the book of kells and the old library for half price, visit 30 minutes before the library closes. While we were visiting dublin last summer we were able to go to the trinity college library and see the book of kells. Trinity college tour the book of kells ireland with locals. No visit to dublin is complete without viewing the book of kells at trinity college dublin. Dec 05, 2015 a visit to trinity college and the trinity college library to see the ancient book of kells truly made my dublin travel experience more complete. 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 is one of irelands greatest treasures. Then, explore the grounds and gardens of dublin castle, former seat of british rule in ireland. Seeing the book of kells in dublins trinity college is a breathtaking experience as you behold the ancient manuscript. The rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. I planned to buy the heritage island explorer guide but not su. Your visit to the book of kells starts when you step in to trinity s. Bicycles at trinity college, dublin how to see the book of kells for half price or free. Your visit to the book of kells starts when you step in to trinitys stunning campus. Make sure to visit book of kells during the visit went to conference at trinity college and had a blast looking around the beautiful grounds.
Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin castle. 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. 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 book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. Trinity college dublin 2020 all you need to know before you. You enter a room with large poster size copies of the book of kells and videos explaining more about it. Your tour of the book of kells, trinity colleges library, and dublin castle meets in the front of trinity college in central dublin. Trinity college dublin and the book of kells is one the most popular visitor attractions in ireland and well worth a visit during your tour. Experience the book of kells and old library exhibition. In recent years the numbers visiting the city centre campus to see the book of kells has increased from 662,679 people in 2014 to more than one. Google book of kells trinity college and it will pop right up first in the search results.
Book online so you dont have to wait for tickets and try to get there early before the crowds. Since the 1970s, white cotton chord has been used to mark the books in the long room that require conservation treatment. Strictly speaking, rather than the book of kells, named after a town in county meath, it should be called the book of iona, as its thought that it was monks on that remote scottish island who. Its always important to reflect on our culture and language to better understand how we communicate today. Visiting dublin in not complete without a visit to trinity college with the book of kells and the long room library. A captivating guide to irelands greatest cultural treasure. Trinity to shelve book of kells for four months the irish times. Apr 02, 2017 after finishing your visit to the book of kells, be certain to take a quick walk through the aptly named long room. After fighting in the cromwellian period, the church at kells lay in ruins, and in 1653 the book was sent to dublin by the governor of kells for safekeeping. Hotels near the book of kells and the old library exhibition. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. Book of kells tour monastic treasures with a historian.
After finishing your visit to the book of kells, be certain to take a quick walk through the aptly named long room. Dublin book of kells and trinity college rick steves. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. You simply cant travel to the capital of ireland without the book of kells being mentioned. The book of kells at trinity college in dublin will be removed from public display from november. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. Trinity college dublin and the book of kells is one the most popular visitor attractions in ireland and well worth a. We recommend booking trinity college dublin tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Reproductions from the manuscript in trinity college, dublin slipcased by francoise henry and john kennedy jan 1, 1974. Wandering onto the gorgeous trinity college campus, i instantly fell in love with the beautiful architecture surrounding the campus. Most people visit primarily to see the famous book of kells, just one of a wonderful collection of precious books in the old library.
The tour concludes at the main entrance to the book of kells and groups proceed to. Mar 23, 2020 the book of kells, one of the great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of new testament matthew, mark, luke, and john. Among the things which people love about ireland is that nearly anyplace you see there is something unexpected. College green trinity college dublin, dublin 2 ireland. Visiting the long room at trinity college library in. Nov 05, 2015 arguably the most famous artifact on display in dublin is the book of kells also known as the book of columba at trinity college. It also sets in context the colleges old library and its long room, which houses 200,000 of the colleges vast collection of books. Using a backstory which includes wineries, vikings and remote scottish islands, the book of kells can depart the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. The trinity college walking tour, which can include book of kells entry if you buy that version of the ticket, makes it far more interesting and memorable.
Atl, which operates using the registered trademark trinity tours, is the official tour provider for trinity college dublin, with exclusive rights in this regard. We also spent an evening at a very old irish pub listening to music and enjoying the local flavor. Frankly i feel its not worth just seeing the book of kells without more trinity college context. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Dating back to the ninth century, this book is one of the finest illuminated manuscripts in the world and a key artifact of medieval history. Skip to main content trinity college dublin, the university of dublin. The campus tours policy outlines that authorised tours of campus are conducted by trinitys official tour provider, authenticity tours. Located in trinity college s treasury, the tour includes a visit to the extended space library, one of europes most glorious libraries home over 200,000 of trinity s oldest novels. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college in dublin.
Right in the heart of downtown dublin is trinity college, where you can find the long room and the book of kells. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kellswidely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. 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. Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate latin text and intricate illuminations. Trinity college dublin, the university of dublin, college green, dublin 2, ireland lori tripoli. Learn about its dense symbolism and rich ornamentation. It is the jewel in trinitys crown and is considered a great treasure and the finest piece of celtic art in existence. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four gospels of the life of jesus christ. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. Visitors can combine a tour here with a visit to nearby dublin castle. Oscar wilde, courageous past student of trinity college dublin. 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. During our trip to dublin we spent some time checking out the book of kells and trinity college. A ticket to the book of kells includes access to the trinity college librarys long room, where youll find an original copy of the 1916 proclamation of the irish republic and a medieval harp.
The book of kells is being removed to accommodate for conservation works at the dublin institution. The book of kells and old library exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Trinity college and the book of kells are truly mustsee attractions for any visitor thats interested in immersing themselves in the rich culture of the celtic homeland. In 1661, henry jones presented it with the book of kells, its most famous manuscript. 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. 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. Going into our visit i honestly did not know much about the book of kells. Visit trinity college dublin and the book of kells exhibition. Light of the dark ages the scale and ambition of the book of kells is incredible. Take your group on the guided walking tour of trinity college campus with authenticity tours. No trip to dublin is complete without a visit to the old library of trinity college to admire the book of kells.
Direct flights to dublin are available from brussels international airport via air lingus. Take your time here because when you walk into next room with the actual book. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. Explore the official book of kells gift range with trinity college dublin. Entrance to the grounds of trinity collegethe book of kells, displayed at trinity college, is in a few words, an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels in latin that likely came from iona to kells when viking raiders forced the monks to leave with their relics and books. A free, online course developed by trinity college dublin now allows learners worldwide to explore the history of ireland through the remarkable book of kells one of the worlds most famous. Tripadvisor fasttrack easy access book of kells tour.
Discover the book of kells online through trinity college. Apr 09, 2017 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 subscribe for more. My friend and i were able to see the book of kells at trinity college. The book of kells museums and attractions dublin city. Publicdomain images from the book of kells, free for your use, here at. Fasttrack access book of kells and dublin castle tour. The guided tour gives an introduction to the book of kells.
Built in the 18th century, the old library at trinity college is one of irelands most popular tourist attractions thanks to its exhibition of the book of kells, a 1,200 year old manuscript containing four extravagantly illustrated volumes of the gospels of the new testament. Enter the old library at trinity college dublin to see the illuminated manuscript of the book of kells. Guided tours visitors and book of kells trinity college dublin. Jan 18, 2018 the book of kells is one of irelands greatest treasures. 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. Book of kells, trinity college, dublin spending 2 days here. Book of kells removed from public display through march. Apr 26, 2016 strictly speaking, rather than the book of kells, named after a town in county meath, it should be called the book of iona, as its thought that it was monks on that remote scottish island who. See all 44 trinity college dublin tours on tripadvisor. Im a little worried about spending a lot of time in line.