The old library and the book of kells trinity college. The book of kells came to trinity college in dublin in 1661, for safekeeping after the cromwellian raids on religious institutions. 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. Upon arriving at trinity college front gate i proceed to buy my ticket for the books of kells and the campus. Weve got the perfect gift to celebrate your special occasion. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. Trinity college dublins old library and book of kells. Trinity college dublin is right in the heart of dublin and served well by cross city buses. 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 exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. The basics with its handsome georgian and classical architecture, the trinity college campus is a mustsee for visitors to the irish capital.
The book of kells is a masterpiece of western calligraphy, undoubtedly the finest remaining example of an illuminated manuscript, and one of the most important surviving artifacts from medieval europe. The four newly restored manuscripts will be on display in the book of kells exhibition at trinity college library on a rotational basis and they can be viewed online topics. Trinity college dublins old library and book of kells youtube. The library began with the founding of trinity college in 1592. The book of armagh, also known at the canon of patrick, is a ninthcentury transcript of documents that contains the earliest writings relating to st.
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. Take your group on the guided walking tour of trinity college campus with authenticity tours. Dec 10, 2010 welcome to the old library and the book of kells exhibition within historic trinity college dublin. 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. There are two luas stops situated less than a minutes walk from trinity college. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book, created by celtic monks c. Written in the monastery of kells in the early 9th javascript seems to be disabled in your browser. An illuminated manuscript written around 800ce, this exquisite work of art has stood for 1,200 years as the greatest example of medieval illumination and is one of the most studied books in the world. Apr 19, 20 the book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. 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.
One of irelands major cultural and artistic treasures, the book of kells and the old library exhibition counts among the oldest texts in the world, dated to the 9th century. Again, the profound christian transformation of the celts was evident. The library is open everyday all year round, except for a period extending from just before christmas into the new year. Dec 31, 2008 visiting trinity and seeing the book of kells. The first thing i did was to head to trinity college and visit the old library, and the exhibit on the book of kells. Scolar press for trinity college library dublin, 1994. The old library and the book of kells trinity college dublin. 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. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. The basics with its handsome georgian and classical architecture, the trinity college campus is a. Book of kells the place of origin of the book of kells is generally attributed to the scriptorium of the monastery founded around 561 find tickets. Located in the heart of dublin city, a walk through the cobbled stones of trinity college dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, when the magnificent old library building was constructed. Making its way from a scriptorium of the monastery founded near 561 by st. There are fantastic informational displays leading into the book of kells.
Together with opera amsterdam, we are getting started on designing the book of kells exhibition. 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. A walk through the cobbled stones of trinity college dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, and offers a view of the book of kells, the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. We will be in dublin next month over a weekend and want to visit trinity college and library. 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. 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. If you are planning on visiting trinity college library and the book of kells i would give yourself a minimum of two hours. I had one free day in dublin and it was sunny and quite warm actually. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. I am doing some research into ticket options for trinity collegebook of kells on their website. But despite its renown, not much is known about its origins. Visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition on. We had about a 20 minute wait to get into the library. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition.
Trinity college library dublin is one of the worlds great research libraries, holding the largest collection of manuscripts and printed books in ireland. The extraordinary book and the impressive long room at trinity college library attract a growing public each year. The book of kells also known as the book of columba is one of the great masterpieces of irish christian culture. Please wash your hands and practise social distancing. The book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. The library proper occupies several buildings, six of which are at the trinity college campus itself, with another part of the trinity centre at st jamess hospital, dublin. Generally speaking, the library closes at 1700, though there are some exceptions. Trinity college book of kells number 31 dublin luxury. Entrance to trinity college grounds is free, there is a charge for entry to the library and the book of kells exhibition area.
Directions to trinity and the book of kells exhibit. The book of kells 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. Bicycles at trinity college, dublin how to see the book of kells for half price or free. Book of kells the book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 is celebrated for its lavish decoration.
The book of armagh, also known at the canon of patrick, is a ninthcentury transcript of documents that contains the earliest writings relating to. The book of kells is not the only rare irish manuscript in. The dart stations of pearse street, tara street and connolly station are a short walk away. The book of kells, one of great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of new testament matthew, mark, luke and john together with various prefatory texts and tables. Book of kells the place of origin of the book of kells is generally attributed to the scriptorium of the monastery founded around 561 find tickets book of kells it has been on display in the old library at trinity college dublin from the mid 19th century, and attracts over 500,000 find tickets. 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 contains 680 pages or 340 folios. The gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including canon tables, or concordances of gospel passages common to two or more of the. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. This illuminated manuscript contains the four gospels of the bibles new testament and other sacred texts, written in latin by celtic monks.
Book of kells trinity college library museum in dublin. The book of kells and the old library located inside trinity college dublin is a must see attraction for anyone visiting dublin. After paying the family entrance fee, we shuffled into a artfully crafted interpretive center describing the history of books in ireland. While it is possible to visit trinity college without paying for the tour, access to the book kells requires a ticket and the addition of the walking tour was only a few euros more.
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. The book is the most famous manuscript in the library of trinity college dublin where it is permanently on display. The book remained there until the 1650s when it was moved to dublin for safekeeping and. In 1661, the bishop granted the book of kells to trinity college, which is where we found it. 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. Confusion over trinity collegebook of kells tours dublin. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 is celebrated for its lavish decoration. A handy paperback journal, lined throughout, with a beautiful cover drawn from the book of kells. Our goal is to enhance the visitor experience by optimizing the visitor flow and by creating a new state of the art exhibition.
Go to dublin and visit the trinity college library and the book of kells for yourself. The tour took us around parliament square which you see when you first enter with the chapel and public theater across from each other, then to the. The long room library at trinity college dublin, ireland. The star of the show is the book of kells, a breathtaking, illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the new testament, created around ad 800 by monks on the scottish island of iona, but more stunning still is the 65m long room, the. The magnificent book of kells is widely regarded as irelands most valuable national treasure. Colum cille on iona, just off the western coast of scotland, the book of kells has become widely known as the most stunning. The oldest library building, now known as the old library, is thomas burghs. It is the foremost irish university and is among the most respected englishspeaking universities in the world. A visit to the illuminated manuscript, the book of kells, in trinity college library in dublin, ireland. Trinity college while it is possible to visit trinity college without paying for the tour, access to the book kells requires a ticket and the addition of the walking tour was only a few euros more. Beat the crowds for earlyaccess to the old library in trinity college to get an upclose look at this celebrated text. Visitors can combine a tour here with a visit to nearby dublin castle. In 1661, henry jones presented it with the book of kells, its most famous manuscript.
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. Book of kells it has been on display in the old library at trinity college dublin from the mid 19th. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. The book of kells exhibition what is the book of kells. The magnificent old library built in the 18th century houses the book of kells a 9thcentury. Then, tour dublin castle to gain insight into irish history spanning 3 millennia. 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. A compendium showcasing 98 full color illustrations from this historic volume, the book of kells. Welcome to the old library and the book of kells exhibition within historic trinity college dublin. There are fantastic informational displays leading. The book of kells exhibition is located in the 18th century old library building in the heart of trinity college dublin. Choose from a wide range of unique trinity college gifts, perfect for alumni, graduates, students and visitors to our campus.
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. The earliest surviving building, the old library, was built between 1712 and 1732. There has been a library there since trinity college was founded by charter of queen elizabeth in 1592. Its a copy of the four gospels in latin with beautiful, intricate illuminations. The book of kells is an artistic masterpiece acclaimed as the most beautiful book ever written. An illustrated introduction to the manuscript in trinity college dublin is an extraordinary and inherently fascinating introduction to the. Named after the abbey of kells, some forty miles north of dublin, where it was held for. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. Google book of kells trinity college and it will pop right up first in the search results. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. The manuscript contains the four gospels in latin based on a vulgate text, written on vellum prepared calfskin, in. With the fame surrounding the book of kells, it is quite easy for visitors to forget about the other various treasures that reside in the trinity college library.
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