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. At once as you enter in the trinity college area you will see the campanile in front of you. 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 library home of the book of kells trinity college dublin tcd colaiste na trionoide, irelands oldest university, was founded in dublin in 1592 by queen elizabeth i. 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. Bicycles at trinity college, dublin how to see the book of kells for half price or free. Trinity college guided walking tour for groups visiting dublin. 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. Dublin book of kells and trinity college rick steves. Visit trinity college dublin and the book of kells exhibition. The book of kells dublin must see the spencer hotel dublin. There are two luas stops situated less than a minutes from the main entrances to trinity. The library is open everyday all year round, except for a period extending from just before christmas into the new year.
The library is open everyday all year round, except for a period extending from just before christmas into the. Written on vellum and containing a latin text of the gospels, it is one of the most popular sights in dublin. Trinity college tour the book of kells ireland with locals. Weve got the perfect gift to celebrate your special occasion. The magnificent book of kells is widely regarded as irelands most valuable national treasure. Going into our visit i honestly did not know much about the book of kells. Visitor attractions include the old library and the book of kells exhibition, gift shop.
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. The book of kells, the oldest book in ireland is kept there. Entry to the little museum and a dublin walking tour are included with the. 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. Buy tickets to trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition. The fairytale traveler experience at the book of kells. The entire first floor of the book of kells exhibit is set up nicely as a self guided tour through blown up illuminated replicas of the manuscript. Wandering onto the gorgeous trinity college campus, i instantly fell in love. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. The book of kells, dublin tourist information dublin. We will be in dublin next month over a weekend and want to visit trinity college and library.
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. Located within the old library at trinity college, the book of kells will be a mustsee on your. Confusion over trinity collegebook of kells tours dublin. I am doing some research into ticket options for trinity collegebook of kells on their website which shows they offer a regular ticket at the door for 10 or online fast track ticket for for old library exhibition and book of kells then i found a link on their website for the trinity college tour which is a scheduled 35 minute guided tour of the four squares of the campus followed. Audio guides are available in english, german, french, spanish, italian and mandarin at a cost of 5. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. All groups must enter via the entrance on nassau street. 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. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. 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.
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. The library contains many treasures, and the most wonderful of all is the book of kells. Visit to trinity college and the book of kells star. 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. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour. Entrance to trinity college grounds is free, there is a charge for entry to the library and the book of kells exhibition area.
During our trip to dublin we spent some time checking out the book of kells and trinity college. 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. Inside is housed the book of kells a 9thcentury gospel manuscript famous throughout the world. This beautifully and elaborately decorated manuscript of the four gospels, written by celtic monks. Only groups who will or have purchased a book of kells ticket may remain on the grounds. Depending on your fee status and other eligibility you may be personally liable to pay for different parts of the overall fee. Beat the crowds for earlyaccess to the old library in trinity college to get an upclose look at this celebrated text. Amidst 47 acres of classic and modern buildings, stunning grounds and. Tuition fee this is the core fee for your academic course, teaching, and associated facilities.
Confusion over trinity collegebook of kells tours dublin forum. 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. See all 43 trinity college dublin tours on tripadvisor. Google book of kells trinity college and it will pop right up first in the search results. Please note the exhibition is temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. Go through the narrow lane between the old library and the 1937 reading room and turn left to the old library entrance, where the book of kells is on display. Trinity college dublin 2020 all you need to know before you. Talks on preservation activities in the old library take place monday to friday in the long room at 3pm.
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. The book of kells and the old library are located in the heart of dublin city, in trinity college dublin. Colum cille on iona, just off the western coast of scotland, the book of kells has become widely known as the most stunning. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. Generally speaking, the library closes at 1700, though there are some exceptions. Trinity college dublin students union funds the university times. No book evokes such passion amongst art lovers as the 9th century illuminated manuscript known as the book of kells. Amidst 47 acres of classic and modern buildings, stunning grounds and irelands oldest. Book of kells, trinity college, dublin, ireland top 10 things to see and do altitude. Despite its city centre location, trinity college enjoys a very tranquil and. 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. 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.
The rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. 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. St matthew is represented by the man, st mark by the lion, st. The book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college dublin each year. We recommend booking trinity college dublin tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Trinity college and the book of kells are truly mustsee attractions. In the centre of dublin, there is a university and at this university, there is a library. Folio129v contains symbols of the four evangelists. Davids been here presents one of dublins main attractions, trinity college and the book of kells. A large, lavish gospel, such as the book of kells, would have been left on the high altar of the church and taken off only for the reading of the gospel during mass. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition heritage.
Making its way from a scriptorium of the monastery founded near 561 by st. Jan 22, 2014 during our trip to dublin we spent some time checking out the book of kells and trinity college. Aug 01, 2016 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. The book of kells is one of dublins main tourist attractions, but is it worth. The overall fees at trinity college dublin are made up of different components. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. The manuscript takes its name from the abbey of kells in county meath that was its home for centuries. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. The most famous book in ireland, book of kells, is located in the old library. Since its founding in 2009, the paper has consistently won national and international awards, including the award for best allaround nondaily student newspaper in the world from the usbased society of professional journalists.
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 st jerome in 384 ad. Trinity college dublin is the oldest university in ireland, founded in 1592 by queen. I am doing some research into ticket options for trinity collegebook of kells on their. Trinity college is home to the famous book of kells. I had heard it mentioned more times than i can count but was not sure what it was, how big it was and why it was so important. I know you can book tickets online but these are for a specific time slot, which wont work for us as we have tours outside dublin and may not make it. Trinity college dublin updated april 2020 top tips. I am doing some research into ticket options for trinity collegebook of kells on their website. The long room in the old library at trinity college, dublin upstairs from the chamber with the book of kells is the old librarys bustlined long room, the aptlynamed main stacks of the original library, a 65meter 2foot built in 171232 the second level was added in 1860 and housing 200,000 books alongside busts of famous writers, philosophers, and others associated. Book of kells, trinity college, dublin, ireland top 10. Today, it is on permanent display at the trinity college library, dublin.
The library can be visited by tourists, but an admission fee needs to be paid. Lasting 35 minutes, the tour encompasses the four major squares of the college. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. Choose from a wide range of unique trinity college gifts, perfect for alumni, graduates, students and visitors to our campus. Talks last 1520 minutes and are free for ticket holders to the book of kells exhibition as well as trinity college students and staff. I strongly advise you spending the 5 euro to get the audio mp3 player with headphones that you keep. Book your tickets online for trinity college dublin, dublin.
It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland. Alternatively you may enter through the nassau street entrance. College students are currently holding a big protest at. 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. Its a few weeks to go before celebrating seachtain na gaeilge, the irish language week 5 th to 17 th march, so we took the opportunity to discover a monument of irish culture. The campanile is 30 meters high and it was built in 1853. Trinity college and the book of kells, dublin city.
Dec 17, 20 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. Founded by a royal charter, it was established in an era when the first universities were springing up all over western europe. Trinity collegebook of kells dublin, ireland youtube. Dec 31, 2008 visiting trinity and seeing 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. It is the foremost irish university and is among the most respected englishspeaking universities in.
The book of kells is being removed from 4th november 2019 until early march 2020 due to essential restoration, and will be replaced with the only fine arts version approved by the 16th century trinity college. Check out the best tours and activities to experience trinity college dublin. Visit the 18th century old library at trinity college, in the heart of dublin city, to view the lavishly decorated 9th century book of kells. Trinity college, dublin and the book of kells blogger. 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. Feb 12, 2010 davids been here presents one of dublin s main attractions, trinity college and the book of kells. Trinity college book of kells tour trinity college dublin. According to tripadvisor travelers, these are the best ways to experience trinity college dublin. I love losing myself in their pages on a rainy day. Alternatively, you can purchase tickets at the ticket desk within the exhibition. It is the foremost irish university and is among the most respected englishspeaking universities in the world. The book of kells is now held at trinity college in dublin, and is widely regarded as one of the finest examples of dark age art in europe but almost no one remembers the small hamlet of kells whose people kept the text safe for hundreds of years. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. Apr 17, 2014 the book of kells and the old library exhibition.
The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. 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 dublin, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth 1, provides for a. Existing ticket holders will be contacted regarding refunds via email.
You can see the book of kells on display in the library at trinity college. Wandering onto the gorgeous trinity college campus, i instantly fell in love with the beautiful architecture surrounding the campus. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition. Trinity college dublin updated april 2020 top tips before.