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 college was founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i as the mother of a university that was modeled after the collegiate. Folio129v contains symbols of the four evangelists. When visiting be prepared to wait to enter, when i visited the wait was 45 minutes. Entrance to trinity college grounds is free, there is a charge for entry to the library and the book of kells exhibition area. 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. Weve got the perfect gift to celebrate your special occasion. Book your tickets online for trinity college dublin, dublin. Trinity college dublin ireland author of the book of kells.
Colum cille on iona, just off the western coast of scotland, the book of kells has become widely known as the most stunning. There are fantastic informational displays leading. 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. Making its way from a scriptorium of the monastery founded near 561 by st. 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. Trinity college, dublin and the book of kells blogger. 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. 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. These new universities were primarily constructed as a means to educate. 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. We recommend booking trinity college dublin tours ahead of time to secure your spot. The book of kells contains 680 pages or 340 folios.
Trinity college book of kells tour trinity college dublin. The book of kells is an illuminate medieval manuscript that contains the four gospels of the new testament that was created in 800 ad and is considered one of irelands national treasures. 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. Founded by a royal charter, it was established in an era when the first universities were springing up all over western europe.
The library contains many treasures, and the most wonderful of all is the book of kells. College street, dublin 2 the old library and book of kells trinity college dublin is the oldest university in ireland, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i and famous. Just two of the pages are without ornament, while about thirty folios, including some major decorated pages, have been lost. 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. If you are planning on visiting trinity college library and the book of kells i would give yourself a minimum of two hours. 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. Today, it is on permanent display at the trinity college library, 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. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. I am doing some research into ticket options for trinity collegebook of kells on their website. 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.
Inside is housed the book of kells a 9thcentury gospel manuscript famous throughout the world. 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. 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. We will be in dublin next month over a weekend and want to visit trinity college and library. 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. This beautifully and elaborately decorated manuscript of the four gospels, written by celtic monks. The books name comes from the abbey of kells in kells, county meath, where it was reputed to have been at least partly written, though its exact origins remain unclear. The book of kells, dublin tourist information dublin. Trinity college dublin was founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i and is an atmospheric 40acre site in the heart of the city. Our first stop was trinity college, the 422 year old college which is also the university of dublin. It was founded in 1592 by from queen elizabeth and is is irelands oldest university. Get in touch if you would like to discuss any of the tours shown on this site, or if youre looking to customise your own tour and just want to pick our brains we.
If you book with viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. The book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college dublin each year. There are fantastic informational displays leading into the book of kells. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. 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. 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.
Sep 10, 20 trinity college dublin was founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i and is an atmospheric 40acre site in the heart of the city. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. 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. I love losing myself in their pages on a rainy day. The basics with its handsome georgian and classical architecture, the trinity college campus is a. When visiting be prepared to wait to enter, when i. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. Trinity college dublin or colaiste na trionoide, baile atha cliath in irish, is formally known as the college of the holy and undivided trinity of queen elizabeth. 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 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four gospels of the life of jesus christ.
It is the foremost irish university and is among the most respected englishspeaking universities in the world. Trinity collegebook of kells dublin, ireland youtube. Trinity college dublin ireland is the author of the book of kells 4. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. The book remained there until the 1650s when it was moved to dublin for safekeeping and. Choose from a wide range of unique trinity college gifts, perfect for alumni, graduates, students and visitors to our campus. 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. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. 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. 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. 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. Trinity college tour the book of kells ireland with locals.
The book s name comes from the abbey of kells in kells, county meath, where it was reputed to have been at least partly written, though its exact origins remain unclear. The book of kells and the old library are located in the heart of dublin city, in trinity college dublin. The manuscript takes its name from the abbey of kells in county meath that was its home for centuries. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. Trinity college dublin 2020 all you need to know before. The library is open everyday all year round, except for a period extending from just before christmas into the new year.
The book remained there until the 1650s when it was moved to dublin for safekeeping and was presented to trinity college dublin s tcd library in 1661. 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. In the centre of dublin, there is a university and at this university, there is a library. Amidst 47 acres of classic and modern buildings, stunning grounds and irelands oldest. The book is the most famous manuscript in the library of trinity college dublin where it is permanently on display. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. See all 45 trinity college dublin tours on tripadvisor.
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. Book of kells, trinity college, dublin, ireland top 10. Jan 22, 2014 if you are planning on visiting trinity college library and the book of kells i would give yourself a minimum of two hours. 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. Confusion over trinity collegebook of kells tours dublin. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. All are displayed in the treasury and the old librarylong room which houses 200,000 rare books.
Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. St matthew is represented by the man, st mark by the lion, st luke by the calf and st john by the eagle. Oct 31, 2006 the book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college dublin each year. Trinity college dublin 2020 all you need to know before you. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript.
The rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. 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. The old library at trinity college is one irelands biggest attractions. 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. Feb 12, 2010 davids been here presents one of dublin s main attractions, trinity college and the book of kells. Book of kells, trinity college, things to do, dublin.
Davids been here presents one of dublins main attractions, trinity college and the book of kells. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september. Tourists from the world over come to wander the historic cobblestoned campus and see the book of kells, a prized medieval manuscript housed in the trinity college library. A walk around trinity college in dublin, inside the narrow room library and outside the building that houses the book of kells subscribe. Trinity college dublin updated may 2020 top tips before. Take your group on the guided walking tour of trinity college campus with authenticity tours. We had about a 20 minute wait to get into the library.