Trinity College Library
★ 4.7🇮🇪 DublinSuggested visit 1-2 hoursBest season Year-round; longer daylight from May to September
MuseumHistoric siteArchitecture
A Baroque library holding the Book of Kells, its Long Room lined with dark timber shelves beneath a barrel vault.
Overview
Built between 1712 and 1732, the library's Long Room runs about 65 metres, flanked by dark oak shelves and marble busts beneath a barrel-vaulted ceiling. The collection holds some 200,000 early books, most famously the 9th-century Book of Kells with its richly coloured illuminations. Ireland's oldest harp is also displayed here.
History
Founded with the college in 1592, it gained legal deposit rights in 1801, which rapidly expanded the collection; the Long Room dates from the 18th century and has recently undergone major conservation.
Highlights
- •The oak shelves and vault of the Long Room
- •The Book of Kells
- •Ireland's oldest harp
- •The avenue of marble busts
Practical tips
- •The Book of Kells display needs its own timed ticket
- •In high season book a slot online well ahead
Practical information
- Best time
- Year-round
- Tickets
- About EUR 18 for adults including the Book of Kells
- Opening hours
- 9:30-17:00
- Local food
- Irish breakfast, Guinness beef stew
- Getting around
- In central Dublin, five minutes on foot from Temple Bar.
- Visa
- A visa is required (separate arrangements apply with a UK visa); apply about a month in advance.
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