Kathy Hamilton You don’t have to love books to visit Trinity College Library in Dublin, but it helps! The Long Room is a bibliophile’s dream and the library houses some of Ireland’s rarest treasures, like the Book of Kells. It’s one of Ireland’s most popular tourist destinations and deserves to be on any Booklover’s itinerary when in Dublin.
Visiting an Old Library might be the first thing you think of when you imagine Dublin. But it should be! Sure, drinking a pint of Guinness in Temple Bar is fun but give me a room filled with books any day! And let’s be honest, this just isn’t any library we’re talking about…it’s Trinity College Library. Quite possibly one of the most beautiful libraries in the world.
Trinity College in Dublin
Founded in 1592, Trinity College, Dublin is part of the seven ancient universities of Britain and Ireland. Officially it’s called College of the Holy and Undivided Trinity of Queen Elizabeth near Dublin– but Trinity is just a little bit handier!
Although Trinity College was originally built outside the walls of Dublin, today it occupies a space in the city centre. Which makes it easy to get to. The site occupies 190,000 m2 (47 acres), with many of its buildings ranged around large quadrangles (known as ‘squares’) and two playing fields. It’s a sight to behold on its own, but for tourists, there’s one big draw…
The Old Library & The Long Room
That’s right! Trinity College might be pretty, but from a tourist perspective, it’s all about the Old Library and Long Room! I mean, you can see why can’t you? With its dark, oak-panelled walls, vaulted ceiling and floor to ceiling bookcases containing 200,000 of the library’s oldest and most valuable books, it is more than enough to tempt most book lovers!
Interestingly, Trinity College Library is a legal deposit library. Which means that, like the British Library, it holds a copy of every book published in Ireland. The oldest building, usefully called the Old Library, was built in 1712. In its original form, it towered over the university and city and even today, it dominates the view of the university from Nassau Street.
The Long Room is a 65-meter long hall within the Old Library and it is a treasure trove! Honestly, I wasn’t prepared for the impact of this space. In-person it is awe-inspiring. Amongst the vast collection housed here is one of the last remaining copies of the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic. Visitors may also see the “Brian Boru Harp” which is the oldest of its kind in Ireland. It dates back to the 15th century and today it’s a national symbol of Ireland (and also features on the Guinness logo).
The Book of Kells
And while Trinity College Library has a vast and fascinating collection, there’s one top prize: The Book of Kells. This ancient book is believed to have been created around 800 AD. (making at least 1200 years old) is one of the most beautiful examples of illuminated manuscripts in the world.
The Book of Kells was given to Trinity College Library in 1661 and, excepting brief loans, has been housed there ever since. It has been on display to the public since the 19th Century and attracts thousands of visitors each year.
The exhibit is well worth looking at if you’re going to visit Trinity College Library as it provides a lot of context about the creation and history of the book. As a book lover myself, I was honoured to be able to view this priceless treasure in person.
Planning Your Vist: Trinity College Library
Tickets and Times
The Book of Kells exhibit, The Old Library and the Long Room are open to visitors from 8.30am most days. You can find detailed information about open times as well as ticket prices here.
Useful Tip: A ticket to the Book of Kells exhibit also includes access to the Old Library and Long Room
As might be expected, The Long Room can get very busy, especially at peak times. So, if you want crowd-free photos, you should plan to get there just after it opens in the morning. Booking fast track tickets online will be helpful here. If not, expect long queues.
Getting to Trinity College
Getting to Trinity College Library is simple since the university is in the centre of town is well served by local transport.
DART Stations:
If you are travelling by DART, there are three stations that are within walking distance of Trinity College Library.
- Pearse Street
- Tara Street
- Connolly Station
LUAS Stops
If you are travelling by tram there are two stops situated less than a minute from Trinity College.
- Trinity: next to the Front Gate on College Green
- Dawson Street: near the Nassau Street entrance
Alternatively, Dublin is an easily walkable city and it so getting to Trinity College on foot is no problem.
Bonus: The Long Room is decorated with a series of busts featuring prominent philosophers, statesmen and writers. Jane Austen fans should keep a lookout for the bust of Thomas Lefroy. This one-time love interest of Jane Austen eventually became Lord Chief Justice of Ireland!
