Trinity College is the crown jewel of Ireland’s academic landscape.
Founded in 1592 under the watchful eye of Queen Elizabeth I, her mission was to “civilize” the so-called “rude and barbarous” Irish.
Well, the tables have surely turned since then. Today, this legendary institution has shaped Ireland’s brightest minds—Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, Bram Stoker, and even three of the country’s Presidents.
You get the picture. It’s a posh place.
And if that’s not enough, the Long Room of the Old Library is something straight out of a fairytale. It houses the Book of Kells — judged by many to be the world’s most famous and priceless book.
Trinity College Guide: What To See
Let’s dive into a tour of the must-see sights awaiting you on a visit!
Honestly, the best way to appreciate it all is with a guide. Mine was Declin, and he was fabulous.
You can book a guided campus tour or book a guided tour that includes the Book of Kells.
University Chapel
As you enter the first quadrangle on the left, you’ll find the University Chapel.
It’s Neoclassical building, designed by Sir William Chambers and completed in 1798, the first year that a doomed independence movement was launched.
Its design is a mix of Georgian simplicity and elegance, with a rectangular layout. Inside, it’s a peaceful paneled church with painted windows and stucco ceilings.
The chapel is used for weddings, religious services, concerts, and ceremonial events.
Campanile
At the heart of Trinity College stands the iconic Campanile, rising 100 feet above the main quadrangle.
Designed in 1853 by Sir Charles Lanyon, it’s a striking blend of Classical elegance and Victorian Gothic flair.
It’s supported by four grand columns and topped with a domed tower and lantern, making it one of the college’s most recognizable landmarks.
But this bell tower isn’t just for show—it comes with a quirky bit of folklore.
Legend has it that any student brave (or foolish) enough to walk beneath the Campanile while the bell rings will be cursed to fail their exams. So, while it’s a marvel to admire, you might want to watch your step!
Science Gallery
The Science Gallery is an innovative space blends art, science, and technology. It’s not just for science geeks.
The gallery hosts cutting-edge exhibitions and interactive installations that encourage visitors to engage with scientific concepts in creative ways.
There’s no permanent collection, and the exhibitions change regularly.
Douglas Hyde Gallery
The Douglas Hyde Gallery is a quirky art space known for thought-provoking contemporary works. It was established in 1978 and is now a leading venue for both Irish and international artists.
The gallery frequently hosts artist talks, panel discussions, and other events.
Old Library
And now we’ve reached the best bit of craic, the Old Library. It’s a beautiful example of early 18th-century architecture that’s hard to miss.
Once inside, on the first floor, you’ll find the Turning Darkness into Light exhibition.
This fascinating display delves into the intricate process of creating religious manuscripts, showcasing how they were meticulously written and illuminated.
It’s the perfect introduction, giving you a deeper understanding before you experience the iconic Book of Kells.
Long Room
On the upper floor of the Old Library is the breathtaking Long Room. It’s a vast, cathedral-like space stretching nearly 200 feet, making it the longest single-chamber library in the world.
Its towering, vaulted ceiling and endless rows of books create an atmosphere straight out of a fairytale. It’s somewhat reminiscent of Hogwarts from Harry Potter.
However, the real cinematic connection is with the Jedi Archives from Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones.
George Lucas denied using it as inspiration (yeah right), and the resemblance is striking. The whole affair stirred up some controversy, especially since Trinity College wasn’t consulted.
If you look in the alcoves, you’ll see book ladders and spiral staircases that allow access to the upper floors. But you can’t climb them!
Busts
Lining the Long Room are 38 busts of great thinkers and writers, including Shakespeare, Aristotle, Plato, Isaac newton and Jonathan Swift.
The original bequest was 14 busts. But this was expanded to subjects including classical and early-modern figures, as well as prominent individuals from Trinity College Dublin.
You can even see Jane Austen’s real life Mr. Darcy, Thomas Lefroy.
In 2023, the collection was expanded to include four busts of notable female scholars, such as Ada Lovelace and Mary Wollstonecraft.
There are several important things to see in the Long Room.
Brian Boru Harp
First up is the Brian Boru Harp, a stunning piece of Irish history.
It’s named after Brian Boru, the 11th century High King of Ireland, who famously defeated the Vikings in 1014.
But it wasn’t actually his harp. The instrument is far more recent than Boru’s reign, dating from the 15th century.
The harp itself is a small, medieval Irish harp made of oak and willow with brass strings, and it’s about 32 inches tall. Its unique design and craftsmanship make it a significant relic of early Irish music and artistry.
The harp is now the official symbol of Ireland as well as being the trademark for Guinness.
Proclamation of Independence
Up next is another piece of Irish history: an original copy of the Proclamation of Independence. Out of the 1,000 copies printed in 1916, only a dozen survived.
This legendary document was famously read by Patrick Pearse outside the General Post Office in Dublin, marking the beginning of the Easter Rising.
In stirring language, the rebels declared, “We affirm the right of the people of Ireland to the ownership of Ireland, and to the unfettered control of Irish destiny.”
Though the uprising lasted just six days, its impact was profound. The leaders were captured, imprisoned in Kilmainham Gaol, and executed. They became martyrs for the cause of Irish independence, igniting the fire of a movement that would ultimately succeed.
Gaia
The striking Gaia installation is a massive, attention-grabbing work by British artist Luke Jerram.
Installed in 2022 as part of the conservation and renovation efforts in Trinity College’s Old Library, it immediately commands your attention with its sheer scale.
Measuring 23 feet in diameter, Gaia is a highly detailed, floating replica of Earth. It was created using high-resolution imagery from NASA, giving it a stunningly accurate depiction of our planet’s surface as seen from space. Suspended in mid-air, the globe slowly rotates.
The installation is designed to contrast the ancient knowledge preserved in the Long Room and the Book of Kells with the advancements of modern science.
While undeniably striking, it mightn’t be to everyone’s taste, or feel a bit out of place.
Book of Kells
Finally, the star of the Long Room: the Book of Kells.
What is it?
A lavishly decorated 9th century handwritten text with beautiful hand colored illustrations of the life of Jesus. It’s the greatest surviving relic of Ireland’s early Christian age.
Legend holds that it was written by angels. But it was really created by a handful of monk-scribes from Kells Monastery. Its primary purpose was to serve as a sacred text during special religious ceremonies.
Only two pages are on display, one beautifully illustrated and the other written by hand. The photos above show the ones that I saw on my visit.
They’re under glass. The pages are changed every 8 weeks to prevent fading from overexposure to light.
Whichever page you see, you’ll be dumbstruck by the humor and force of imagination shining through the centuries.
My guide even said that there are complaints written in the margins, like “I am very cold” and “writing is excessive drudgery.”
The book was written on costly vellum, a specially treated calfskin. It consists of 340 folios filled with a blend of vibrant images, the Celtic alphabet, and Latin text.
The illustrations were created using natural pigments derived from plants and minerals, including indigo for blue, gypsum for white, orpiment for yellow, and red lead for the rich red tones.
Each of the capital letters looks like a riot of circles, rectangles, and curlycues. But if you look closely, you’ll also see devils, beasties, angels, flowers, and fruit.
The Chi Rho page is the most renowned illustration. It opens Matthew’s gospel with the words Christi autem generatio, featuring Christ’s name in its abbreviated Greek form (Chi Rho).
Other Rare Books
After admiring the Book of Kells, take some time to admire the other superbly beautiful ancient books of display.
You can see the pocket size Book of Mulling (late 8th century), the Book of Armagh (807), and the most ancient book of all — the Book of Durrow (675).
I also spied rare copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio, Shakespeare’s The Tempest, and early editions of books printed in Irish Gaelic.
Book of Kells Experience
To dive deeper into the world of the Book of Kells, step next door into the vibrant red Book of Kells Experience building. This modern, interactive exhibit brings the manuscript to life in a way the traditional viewing can’t.
In this immersive experience, you can digitally “turn the pages” of the Book of Kells. You can explore its intricate artwork in stunning, high-resolution detail.
Enlarged displays (some as tall as 10 feet!) let you fully appreciate the craftsmanship behind this medieval masterpiece.
It’s the perfect complement to the traditional exhibit in the Old Library, offering a closer and more interactive look at this cultural treasure
In addition to the stunning artwork, the exhibit features artifacts, talking sculptures, and plenty of detailed information to explore.
One highlight is Book of Kells 360, a short but insightful film that takes you on a journey through the history of this ancient masterpiece.
You’ll learn how it traveled from its origins on a sacred island of Celtic Christianity in Scotland to Kells Monastery, and finally to its home at Trinity College.
As you continue through the Experience, don’t miss the reimagined Long Room. Digital projections seamlessly blend the past with the future, creating a unique and immersive atmosphere.
Finally, don’t miss the Sphere Within Sphere, which is located in the courtyard of the Berkeley Library.
This bronze sculpture is one of many similar works by Italian artist Arnaldo Pomodoro, and it was installed at the college in 1982.
The piece features an outer, smooth globe that has been partially “cracked open” to reveal a complex inner sphere.
The inner mechanisms suggest gears or architectural structures, representing a balance between perfection and the underlying chaotic systems.
There are similar ones like it around the world, including at the Vatican Museums.
Practical Guide & Tips For Trinity College & The Book of Kells
Address: College Street, Dublin 2. The entrance for the Book of Kells is in Fellows Square.
How To Get There:
Trinity College is about as central as you can get! The main entrance is 200 meters from the O’Connell Street Bridge.
The college is also on the Hop On Hop Off tourist bus route.
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 8:30 am – 7:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:30 am – 6:30 pm
Tickets:
Unlike almost every other attraction in Dublin, Trinity College and the Book of Kells are NOT include in the Dublin Pass.
And it’s an extremely popular attraction in the city. Over 1 million visitors walk through it each year.
To ensure you see it, you should book a timed entry ticket well in advance, book a campus tour, or book a guided walking tour that includes the Book of Kells.
The ticket for the self-guided tour is 26 euros, which includes access to the Old Library, the Book of Kells, and the immersive digital experiences like the Book of Kells 360 and Gaia exhibitions.
How Long To Spend:
If you are on your own, I would budget about couple hours to see everything.
If you buy your ticket or tour at the college, here are the times of their offerings:
- Campus Tour: 45 minutes
- Campus Tour + self guided Book of Kells Experience: 90 minutes
- Campus Tour + guided Book of Kells Experience: 2 hours
Gift Shop: There is a very tempting gift shop stocked with everything you could imagine, including replicas of the Book of Kells.
And that’s the whole lot you need to know! I hope you’ve enjoyed my guide to Trinity College and the Book of Kells. You may find these other Ireland and UK travel guides useful:
- Dublin bucket list
- 2 days in Dublin itinerary
- 3 days in Dublin itinerary
- beautiful places to visit in Ireland
- what not to do in Ireland
- 1 day in Belfast itinerary
- 3 days in Northern Ireland itinerary
- guide to St. Patrick’s Cathedral
- guide to the Guinness Storehouse
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