Aug 9, 2014 four gospels illuminated by the columban monasteries 800 a. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. 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. The book of kells official guide, bernard meehan if you, like so many others, are fascinated by the book of kells, irelands national treasure, then this is the book for you. Book of kells early access tour with dublin castle. Talks last 1520 minutes and are free for ticket holders to the book of kells exhibition as well as trinity college students and staff.
The treasured book that was created in kells and was held safely in kells for 900 years, never returned to its home. Today, the book of kells is preserved in trinity college, dublin where it is on show in special security display cases. Feb 12, 2010 davids been here presents one of dublins main attractions, trinity college and the book of kells. But despite visiting dublin on numerous occasions, i had never visited one of the most famous books, in one of the most famous libraries, in the world the book of kells in the trinity college library. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded.
Ticket prices are reduced by 15% during this period. Frequently asked questions about the book of kells faqs. Dec 31, 2008 visiting trinity and seeing the book of kells. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous. Trinity college is irelands top university and most historical and is an unmissable attraction in the irish capital. The old library and the book of kells trinity college dublin. Buy tickets to trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition. The first thing i did was to head to trinity college and visit the old library, and the exhibit on the book of kells. Fainche ryan explores the hidden meanings behind the illustrations of the book of kells. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition. Closed 10 days over the christmas and new year period see attraction website for details.
The gospel texts are prefaced by other texts, including canon tables, or concordances of gospel passages common to two or more of the evangelists. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. 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. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch.
Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 is celebrated for its lavish decoration. Our goal is to enhance the visitor experience by optimizing the visitor flow and by creating a new state of the art exhibition. Instead, i am now planning to do pat liddys walking tour which ends inside the grounds at trinity college. As a result, the general public and art lovers have limited access to the book of kells. Written around the year 800 ad, the book of kells contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels in a latin text based on the vulgate edition completed by. The college was founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i as the mother of a university that was modeled after the collegiate universities of oxford. Tripadvisor fasttrack easy access book of kells tour. Then time my fasttrack entry for book of kellslibrary.
Book of kells removed from public display through march. Trinity college tour the book of kells ireland with locals. The book of kells is being removed to accommodate for conservation works at the dublin institution. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city.
Tickets are instant, flexible, guaranteed best value and valid for up to 365 days. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. Please note the exhibition is temporarily closed as a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of. This tour involves essentially a walking tour of dublin. 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. Talks on preservation activities in the old library take place monday to friday in the long room at 3pm. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the 800. You simply cant travel to the capital of ireland without the book of kells being mentioned. The book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college dublin each year. Go early in the morning or in late afternoon to avoid the midday rush. Guided tours visitors and book of kells trinity college dublin. Trinity college dublin all you need to know before you. Discover the book of kells online through trinity college. The book of kells is on display at the old library, and the ticket price includes admission to the long room, a striking space that contains 200,000 of the college s oldest books.
Confusion over trinity collegebook of kells tours dublin. 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. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. Using a backstory which includes wineries, vikings and remote scottish islands, the book of kells can depart the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Visit the 18th century old library at trinity college, in the heart of dublin city, to view the lavishly decorated 9th century book of kells. It is the foremost irish university and is among the most respected englishspeaking universities in the world. I love losing myself in their pages on a rainy day. Entrance to trinity college grounds is free, there is a charge for entry to the library and the book of kells exhibition area. If you plan on seeing the book of kells, buy a trinity college library ticket in advance or be prepared to wait in line. Youll also gain access to the long room, one of the worlds most beautiful libraries and home to 250,000 of trinity college s most ancient books. The book of kells was probably produced in a monastery on the isle of iona, scotland, to honor saint columba in the early 8th century. This is the wine which fills the chalices for the eucharistic celebration. This completely new official guide reproduces the most important of the fully decorated pages from the book of kells, as.
These vines produce the grapes from which the wine is made. Please note the new rules of admission for groups entering the. Jones gifted the book to trinity college which only allowed protestant admission until 1873 and was put on display in1661. Then, tour dublin castle to gain insight into irish history spanning 3 millennia. Trinity college is home to the famous book of kells. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning. I am doing some research into ticket options for trinity collegebook of kells on their website. Together with the gospels of lindisfarne and the book of durrow, i would say that the book of kells is one of the. The exhibition that houses the ancient texts also provides for a visit of the old library which is well worth seeing. For more information, visit trinity colleges website. 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. Trinity college is located in college green at the top of dublins dame street. This dvdrom is the first digitised version of the book of kells to have been authorised by trinity college library dublin and has been produced by a partnership of.
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. Book of kells, trinity college library the long room, shops, pubs a stop at bruce springsteens. Discover the book of kells through trinity colleges free. Book your tickets online for trinity college dublin, dublin. Book of kells, trinity college library the long room, shops, pubs a stop at bruce. Stay at trinity college dublin in the heart of dublin and explore all that tcd has to offer including the book of kells exhibition, trinity gift shop and more. This official guide by the former keeper of manuscripts at the library of trinity college, dublin, where the book of.
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. Your tour of the book of kells, trinity college s library, and dublin castle meets in the front of trinity college in central dublin. Google book of kells trinity college and it will pop right up first in the search results. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin castle.
Explore the history of ireland through one of irelands most popular tourist attractions and the worlds most famous medieval manuscripts, the book of kells at trinity college dublin. As part of ongoing conservation plans for the old library, the book of kells has been removed from public display until march 2020. Despite its city centre location, trinity college enjoys a very tranquil and studious atmosphere. Upon arriving at trinity college front gate i proceed to buy my ticket for the books of kells and the campus. Ireland and the book of kells history course futurelearn. 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 book of kells museums and attractions dublin city. The book of kells sits in a darkened room encased in protective glass in the old library here at trinity college.
Among the things which people love about ireland is that nearly anyplace you see there is something unexpected. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. Written around the year 800 ad, the book of kells contains a richly decorated copy of the four gospels in a latin text based on the vulgate edition completed by st jerome in 384 ad. 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. Making its way from a scriptorium of the monastery founded near 561 by st. Colum cille on iona, just off the western coast of scotland, the book of kells has become widely known as the most stunning. 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. The book of kells, which is on display in trinity college, was written around the year 800 ad and is one of the most beautifully illustrated manuscripts in the world. 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. See more ideas about book of kells, illuminated manuscript and celtic art.
Trinity college student tours an unmissable experience. The library is like a piece of heaven on earth for book lovers of course and also for others as it is exceptionally calm and informative. I had one free day in dublin and it was sunny and quite warm actually. Highly sensitive to destructive environmental influences, it is tightly protected and touching it is not permitted.
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. Studentled, 30minute campus tours, which depart from the main gate, are available in summer. The book of kells at trinity college in dublin will be removed from public display from november. The rich history of trinity college dublin makes for compelling reading. Located in the heart of the city in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four gospels of the life of jesus christ. Trinity college dublin, the university of dublin college green dublin 2, ireland t. Images and illustrations from the book of kells were reproduced with permission from trinity college. 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.
Amidst 47 acres of classic and modern buildings, stunning grounds and irelands oldest. The library is open everyday all year round, except for a period extending from just before christmas into the new year. Bicycles at trinity college, dublin how to see the book of kells for half price or free. See more ideas about book of kells, celtic art and trinity college dublin. Written on vellum and containing a latin text of the gospels, it is one of the most popular sights in dublin. First your guide takes you through the college s library, exploring the area known as the long room thats lined with books and statue busts. Hotels near trinity college arlington hotel official site. Beat the crowds for earlyaccess to the old library in trinity college to get an upclose look at this celebrated text. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition heritage. 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. We had about a 20 minute wait to get into the library. Vines, grapes and chalices are frequently found together in the book of kells.
Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. Oct 31, 2006 the book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college dublin each year. Many thanks to fiona tyrrell, press officer for the faculty of arts, humanities and social sciences and trinity college for sharing news of this wonderful course. Trinity college dublins 47 acre campus is situated in the centre of irelands capital city, where cobbled squares, historic buildings and playing fields stand alongside stateoftheart facilities such as the science gallery, the nanoscience research centre crann, the long room hub institute for arts and humanities, the biomedical. The book of kells, dating from about 800 ce, is a beautifully decorated manuscript of the four gospels. The book of kells, dating from about 800, is a brilliantly decorated manuscript of the four gospels. A captivating guide to irelands greatest cultural treasure. It is possible to take the tour of trinity college provided by authenticity tours without admission to the book of kells and old library exhibition at. 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. Thats why a visit to trinity college is an important stop on your visit to dublin. Located in the heart of the city in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a 9th century manuscript that documents the four gospels of the. Visitors can combine a tour here with a visit to nearby dublin castle. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. Scolar press for trinity college library dublin, 1994.
Confusion over trinity collegebook of kells tours dublin forum. The extraordinary book and the impressive long room at trinity college library attract a growing public each year. Generally speaking, the library closes at 1700, though there are some exceptions. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Images of vines are found throughout the book of kells. After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. A visit to trinity college and the trinity college library to see the ancient book of kells truly made my dublin travel experience more complete. Guests travelling for business will find the hotel easily accessible for the trinity college conference centre, and trinity college school of business. Visit trinity college dublin and the book of kells exhibition.
View all attractions near trinity college dublin on tripadvisor. Dublin book of kells and trinity college rick steves. The manuscript contains the four gospels in latin based on a vulgate text, written on vellum prepared calfskin, in. Its regarded as one of the greatest cultural treasures of ireland and described by some as the most famous manuscript in the world. I was enjoying skimming the text of this book and looking at the pictures, until the author, the current keeper of manuscripts at trinity college dublin, where the book is kept, said that one illustration in particular. 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. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. Take your group on the guided walking tour of trinity college campus with authenticity tours. 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. No book evokes such passion amongst art lovers as the 9th century illuminated manuscript known as the book of kells.
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. Hotel near trinity college dublin trinity city hotel. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour. Learn more about the book of kells with trinity s free online co. 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. Trinity collegebook of kells dublin, ireland youtube. Guided tours are also an option and recommended by past travelers.
How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it. 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. Trinity college dublin there was only one thing on my mustsee list for dublin, and that was the library that holds the book of kells at trinity college in dublin. 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. On exploring the long room, get a close up view of the brian boru harp, ireland. The arms seem, alternatively, to be in such an attitude as to confirm the necessity of the prohibitions which were enacted in the irish penitentials against homosexual practices. The long room and the exhibition remain open for visitors. 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. The magnificent book of kells is widely regarded as irelands most valuable national treasure. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour.