Trinity College Library — Attraction in Dublin

Trinity College Library in Dublin stands as an enduring symbol of Ireland's rich literary heritage and scholarly tradition. Established in 1592, Trinity College Dublin is not only Ireland's oldest university but also one of its most prestigious academic institutions. The library, with its extensive collections and architectural splendor, serves as a cornerstone of the university's intellectual life and cultural legacy.

At the heart of Trinity College Library is the Long Room, a magnificent hall that epitomizes the grandeur and elegance of classical architecture. Stretching nearly 65 meters in length, the Long Room is lined with rows of towering bookshelves, housing over 200,000 volumes of rare and ancient texts. The atmosphere is one of quiet reverence, as visitors gaze upon centuries-old manuscripts, illuminated codices, and priceless literary treasures. Marble busts of eminent scholars and writers, such as Plato, Shakespeare, and Jonathan Swift, adorn the room, adding to its sense of scholarly gravitas.

The crown jewel of Trinity College Library's collection is undoubtedly the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating back to the 9th century. This medieval masterpiece, renowned for its intricate calligraphy and vibrant illustrations, is displayed in a specially designed exhibition space within the Long Room. Visitors from around the world come to marvel at the intricacies of the Book of Kells and to gain insight into the artistic and cultural achievements of early medieval Ireland.

Beyond the Long Room, Trinity College Library encompasses a range of other facilities and resources to support learning, research, and scholarship. The Berkeley Library houses modern academic materials and study spaces, while the Ussher Library is home to special collections and archives spanning a wide range of disciplines. The Early Printed Books Reading Room provides scholars with access to rare printed works dating back to the invention of the printing press.

Trinity College Library is not merely a repository of knowledge but also a vibrant center of intellectual inquiry and academic exchange. It serves as a gathering place for students, faculty, and researchers to engage with ideas, explore new avenues of inquiry, and contribute to the advancement of human knowledge. Through its collections, exhibitions, and educational programs, Trinity College Library continues to inspire and enrich the intellectual life of Ireland and the...

We made sure to get the first campus tour of the day- 8am, in order to get to the library early. The tour was very nice and not crowded! However once we got to the library is was swamped. There is a lovely museum section about the Book of Kells that you go through before seeing the Book, then you go up to the Long Room. However, the museum section was PACKED. So many people, very little airflow, very hard to read any of the information or enjoy the nicely-designed space. You had to reserve a timeslot but it hardly seemed to matter with how many people they let in at a time.

The actual Book is in a dark room by itself, very nice, and no photos allowed. The museum mentioned the page it was open to was "the most detailed page" so I was expecting the Chi Rho page, but it was what looked like just a normally decorated page with the other page blank. It was still very very cool to see but maybe they turn the pages every so often so you might not see the same page as described.

Most people, tour groups, etc, breezed past this room with barely a glace, going to the library. It was odd, but that meant you could look at the Book of Kells without feeling rushed.

Up in the Long Room library it's a bit chaotic. There was more room here so the amount of people was spread out, but still hard to take photos unless it's of the ceiling. They've nearly removed all the books from the impressive shelves, so it was not as impactful as it would've been a year ago. Unless you look for it on their website, you don't find any information on how the shelves will be empty, so that could be disappointing if you weren't expecting it. Still a very impressive building!

If you're looking to visit a cool old library, I'd recommend Marsh's Library down the street. It's smaller but just as cool, with all books intact and the place...

I was surprised that the reviews aren’t all that good because this was definitely one of my Dublin highlights! I was there with students. We first had a 30 min tour around the premises given from one of the Trinity College students. It was very interesting and fun. After that we were able to go into the library. I must say in advance that I am a book lover and libraries usually give me a calming and relaxed feeling. Just a week prior to our visit I read an Email from Lufthansa about the worlds most beautiful libraries and The Long Room was rated no. 1 so I was really excited!!! We actually skipped the Book of Kells exhibition and went straight to the library and oh my holly God. We all loved it!!! It is indeed the most unique library I have ever seen. During the tour we learned a bit about the books in the library which just made it all the more amazing to see these books. Are there downsides? Yes! For one, it’s very busy. Now, obviously it would be much nicer to see this library when nobody else is in it... get pictures without other people in it. But then again, you can get those in the Internet. Second, they don’t let you up on the second floor balcony, from which you would have an even nicer view.

In my opinion the price isn’t a downside. Keeping this library and these books in shape is f..... expensive as hell and I gladly see my money come to good use for such a thing. If I could give 6 stars, I would. Tip: do the Tour...