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 magnificent book of kells is widely regarded as irelands most valuable national treasure. Among the things which people love about ireland is that nearly anyplace you see there is something unexpected. The book of kells is a permanent exhibit located within the mcclelland library. This is an ideal first time visitor tour for the curious traveller wanting.
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. Up close with dublin on foot a 5 hour tour covering the celts, viking, medieval and english dublin. The library is open everyday all year round, except for a period extending from just before christmas into the. The book of kells is located in the old library building, on the south side of library square, inside trinity colleges main campus. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour. On the last morning of our heart of ireland tour we had a walking tour of dublin scheduled, ending at trinity college for a visit to the book of kells. Trinity college dublin, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth 1, provides for a fascinating visit and it is. 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 690page book of kells is the centerpiece of the turning darkness into light exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college every year. Google book of kells trinity college and it will pop right up first in the search results. Nov 05, 2015 arguably the most famous artifact on display in dublin is the book of kells also known as the book of columba at trinity college. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the. Beat the crowds early access to the treasury to view the incredible book of kells and the old library.
Together with the gospels of lindisfarne and the book of durrow, i would say that the book of kells is one of the. I skipped the tour and stayed local, took a short walk to an all purpose store, came back and spent a quiet time writing, reading and thinking about this tour and the whole long celtic. Authenticity tours, which operates trinity tours, can facilitate any tour requests from members of the public or tour groups. A 5 hour tour covering the celts, viking, medieval and english dublin. The gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including canon tables, or concordances of gospel passages common to two or more of the evangelists. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kells widely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. The library is home to one of the rare full color facsimiles created in order to increase education, study and access to the book of kells located at trinity college in dublin. Take your group on the guided walking tour of trinity college campus with authenticity tours. Throughout the tour i can also make suggestions for places you might like to visit during the rest of your stay. Unique gifts inspired by the book of kells, irelands greatest cultural treasure. Learn about its dense symbolism and rich ornamentation. Our guide was a trinity history student and he was full of unique stories, both historical and folklore.
Enter the old library at trinity college dublin to see the illuminated manuscript of the book of kells. Dublin book of kells and trinity college rick steves. In this historianled book of kells tour with skiptheline tickets, we will visit the book, explore trinity college s famed old library, and examine celtic artifacts at the national museum of ireland, revealing how the light of learning shined brightly in ireland during the dark ages. The college is famed for its great treasures including the book of kells, a 9th century illuminated manuscript, the books of durrow and armagh and an early irish harp. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. Trinity college tour the book of kells ireland with locals. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this 2. Visitors can combine a tour here with a visit to nearby dublin castle. A visit to the book of kells at the old library in trinity college dublin is a journey through some of irelands most iconic cultural heritage. Apr 17, 2020 the book of kells has been on display in the old library at trinity college from the mid 19th century. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament transcribed by celtic monks in about 800ad, when the rest of europe was in. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous. Your tour of the book of kells, trinity colleges library, and dublin castle meets in the front of trinity college in central dublin. Named for its original home in the abbey of kells, the manuscript is now displayed in dublins beautiful 16th century trinity college library.
The book of kells has been on display in the old library at trinity college from the mid 19th century. Entrance to trinity college grounds is free, there is a charge for entry to the library and the book of kells exhibition area. Beat the crowds for earlyaccess to the old library in trinity college to get an upclose look at this celebrated text. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. 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. Only a short time was spent with the book of kells and the rooms were very crowded. 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 and the book of kells, dublin city tour ireland. This tour involves essentially a walking tour of dublin. 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. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. It is irelands most precious medieval artifact, and is generally considered the finest surviving illuminated manuscript to have been produced in. 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.
Book of kells and old library in dublin attraction. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. Book of kells and the treasures of dublin context travel tours. First your guide takes you through the colleges library, exploring the area known as the long room thats lined with books and statue busts of famous masters of science, literature, and art. Gifts featuring the book of kells, irelands greatest treasure. The book of kells located within the walls of trinity college dublin was written around 800ad. Entrance tickets to view the book of kells range from 11 to 14 for adults, while family. Book of kells early access tour with dublin castle avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this 2. 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. Trinity college dublin and the book of kells is one the most popular visitor attractions in ireland and well worth a visit during your tour. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour.
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. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the 800. 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. 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. Confusion over trinity collegebook of kells tours dublin forum. The trinity college walking tour, which can include book of kells entry if you buy that version of the ticket, makes it far more interesting and memorable. Book of kells early access tour with dublin castle. Tripadvisor fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with. Book of kells at trinity college library the book of kells is a beautiful manuscript containing the four gospels in latin.
Book of kells, trinity college library the long room, shops, pubs a stop. In the 18th century, the college received the brian boru harp, one of the three surviving medieval gaelic harps, and a national symbol of ireland, notably used on the irish euro coins. Colum cille on iona, just off the western coast of scotland, the book of kells has become widely known as the most stunning. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning. Prepaid admission to the treasury to view the book of kells as well as to the exhibition turning. One of the top sights in dublin and irelands finest national treasure is the book of kells, on display at the trinity college library. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin.
Explore the official book of kells gift range with trinity college dublin. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four. 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. Beat the crowds early access to the 16 th century college to view the world renowned 7 th century book of kells and trinity colleges old library europes longest vaulted library experience a fully guided visit to both venues with an expert local english speaking guide. New yorkers used to visiting the morgan library for their share of antique books might be tempted to skip a visit to dublins book of kells, an illuminated manuscript of the gospel.
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. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Thats why a visit to trinity college is an important stop on your visit to dublin. The grand chained library holds many rare works on irish history and presents frequently changing displays of classic works. Book of kells and old library in dublin attraction frommers. Considering the line up that i saw when we left the old library, and how crowded trinity college campus was when i went back later that day, i think the early. The rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. 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. Admission to the treasury to view the book of kells, entrance to the exhibition turning darkness into light and a fully guided visit to the old library of trinity college. Trinity college and the book of kells, dublin city.
Experience a fully guided visit to both venues with an expert local english speaking guide. Together with our expert 5 star guides, youll explore the book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning, and its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets. One of the top sights in dublin and ireland s finest national treasure is the book of kells, on display at the trinity college library. Fasttrack access book of kells and dublin castle tour dublin. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament transcribed by celtic monks about year 800, when the rest of europe was in the midst of the dark ages. 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. Book of kells irish cultural center and mcclelland library. 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. Beat the crowds early access to the 16 th century college to view the world renowned 7 th century book of kells and trinity colleges old library europes longest vaulted library.
I would do this again to spend more time on the kells. We took a viator tour of trinity college that included the dublin castle. You simply cant travel to the capital of ireland without the book of kells being mentioned. Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells.
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