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The Long Room and the Book of Kells, Dublin: guide for visitors

Posted on by Marta Correale
The Long Room Trinity College Dublin
31
Dec

The Long Room and the book of Kells, in Dublin’s Trinity College Historical Library, are two of Dublin’s most popular attractions. Discover what makes them special and how to visit. Updated 2020.

The Old Library of Trinity College Dublin, aka the Long Room, is one of the most beautiful landmarks in Ireland and a site to behold.

Hosted in the historical buildings of Trinity College and academic institution dating back to 1592, the room is 65-meter long, has dark wooden vaulted ceiling and it is walls covered wall to wall by double story bookcases containing an incredible collection of 200.000 volumes.

Elaborate cast iron staircases daring the reader to venture to its highest recesses and regularly spaced marble busts guard the library recesses with their white severe stare.

The library is one of the most popular tourists attractions in Dublin, for a few reason.

The first is just its looks: the room is imposing and iconic of the city, often being chosen to grace the cover of travel brochures for the most culturally curios travelers.

The second, is what the library contains: 200,000 books but also the harp that is the national symbol of Ireland and the exhibition of the Book of Kells (more about it later)

Last but not least, the library often attracts Star wars fans. As unlikely as this may sound, there is a good reason for this: the library is said to have inspired the Jedi Temple Archives!

If you like fun facts, you may find more fun facts about Ireland for kids here.

The long room trinity college Dublin as seen from its main entrance. As you step inside, you are surrounded by arcades covered in books under dark, vaulted celings
The iconic Trinity College Long Room, as seen from its main entrance

The old Trinity College Library and its treasures

The Old Library of Trinity college and the Long Room, its main chamber, is interesting both for its architecture and the treasures is contains.

The most famous of all is the Book of Kells, which is at the center of am exhibition hosted in the same building as the library. Tickets for the two are combined, you get to the library after the rooms devoted to the book.

The Long Room at Trinity college Dublin: a bit of history

The Long Room is the most imposing and beautiful part of the vast Trinity College Library, an impressive collection of over 3 million manuscripts and books hosted in the grounds of Dublin’s oldest university.

Trinity college dates back to 1592 when it was funded by charter of Queen Elisabeth, but the oldest library buildings we see now only date back to XVIII century, when construction started following the designs of Thomas Burgh. It was built between 1712 and 1732)

Since then, the library has hosted important historical manuscripts from medieval to modern times.

In 1801 it acquired the right to claim a free copy any new book published in Ireland and the UK, making it quickly one of the largest collections of manuscripts and books in the country.

It currently houses 200,000 books making it the largest and oldest library in Ireland

The long room contains many treasures, including Ireland’s oldest harp and the proclamation of Irish independence, but it is probably best known because of the medieval manuscript  ‘the book of Kells’.

Untitled

The book of Kells, Trinity College Dublin

The book of Kells is a precious manuscript dating back, probably, to the 9th-century a.D.

Made of vellum (prepared calfskin) the book contains the Latin version of the 4 gospel prefaced by other texts, including “canon tables”, or concordances of Gospel passages common to two or more of the evangelists; summaries of the gospel narratives (Breves causae); and prefaces characterizing the evangelists (Argumenta).

The book measures approximately  330 x 255 mm and is made of 340 folios: its most impressive feature, in term so of aesthetics, is the elaborate writing in which the gospels are committed to paper.

Each page of the book is lavishly decorated with abstract designs and images of plant, animal and human ornament, each image carefully selected for its symbolic value and its ability to glorifying Jesus’ life and message.

The book is in a protective case and photographs are not allowed, but postcards and posters with details of it are for sale.

The picture below is of one of these reproductions and gives a first idea of the level of mastery involved in such a beautiful writing.

Old library Trinity college: The book of Kells is one of the treasures in the old library of Trinity College.

Mystery surrounds the exact origin of the book of Kells but the book is surely monastic in origin.

Since the VII century Ireland has been the centre of a thriving monastic culture.

The monks lived in communities devoted to the study of the scriptures and to manual work and part of this manual work consisted in the writing and therefore conservation of the word of the gospel.

The main monastery at the time was located on the island of Iona, founded by St Colum Cille, and historians believe that the book of Kells was at least partially written in that location sometime.

In 806 a.D. Iona was attacked by the Vikings and the book sis said to have been brought to Kells, near Dublin, for protection.

It is only in 1661 that the book fund his home in Trinity College.

The book of Kells exhibition: practical info

The book of Kells and the long room are one of the most popular attractions in Dublin so prepare for long lines!

The tickets can be bought on location (the till is located in the souvenir shop, just beside the library entrance) or online and give access to both the book of Kells and the long room, located on the floor above.

Trinity College Library hours

  • Mon – Sat (May – Sept) 08:30 – 17:00
  • Sun (May – Sept) 09:30 – 17:00
  • Mon – Sat (Oct – April) 09:30 – 17:00
  • Sun (Oct – April) 12:00 – 16:30

Visiting Trinity College Old room with children

The book of Kells is difficult to appreciate for little children and despite our best efforts, we found ourselves being rushed in our visit by the presence of our two preschoolers, who only really got excited once we reached the impressive long room.

A more suitable company for this kind of exhibition is certainly children of school age: the exhibition caters well for them and teachers and parents can also download age specific worksheet to make the visit more interesting and interactive.

Trinity College Library location and how to get there

Trinity College is in the very centre of Dublin city, on College Green.

Entering from the college main gate, walk to the main college square and then turn right: the library building is on your right and is clearly marked by signs (and usually by a long queue outside!)

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Medieval Ireland the long room

This review is unsolicited and unbiased and I received no compensation for it. Opinions are, as always, my own.

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Marta Correale

Marta Correale is the creator, writer and creative mind behind Learning Escapes. A travel loving mama of two from Italy, Marta currently lives in Ireland with her husband and two kids, they take frequent trips to European destination, the US and beyond. A professional travel blogger for over a decade, Marta is passionate about traveling with kids and helping others to travel more and better as a family.

23 thoughts on “The Long Room and the Book of Kells, Dublin: guide for visitors”

  1. Cathy (MummyTravels) says:

    I can’t believe I’ve never visited here on my trips to Dublin (and it absolutely does look like the Jedi archives). Another good reason to go back #mondayescapes

    • Marta - Learningescapes says:

      It does, doesn’t it? I usually get discouraged by the long line outside, but one a quiet day it is really evocative. The kids loved it too, while the book of kells definitely left them unimpressed

  3. Samantha says:

    I went to Dublin in November but only for the marathon! Unfortunately the weather was awful and mighty cold so I didn’t see much of the city or Trinity College! Maybe next time!

  4. Marge Gavan says:

    It has got to be one of the grandest library I’ve seen. This is also the first time I’ve seen a blog feature a college and I realized, why not?! If a college is as beautiful as this, everyone should see it.

  5. Nina says:

    Oh my gosh, I want to move into that room! Rooms filled to the ceiling with old books make me weak in the knees! The next time I’m in Dublin, I’m going there! Thanks for letting me know about it 🙂

  7. Alli says:

    I’m planning on visiting Dublin this October! Love the room with the books – reminds me of Beauty and the Beast! I can just see Belle swinging from shelf to shelf on the ladder!

  10. Katharina says:

    What a beautiful old library!! The Book of Kells looks impressive, too. I am always amazed when I consider that those old books are completely written by hand, especially when looking at those beautiful colourful decorations. Maybe you can visit again when your children are a little bit older.

  11. Jessica says:

    Rare to see this kind of library in my home country. Missing the days when doing research is done mostly in libraries not in front of the computer.

    • Marta - Learningescapes says:

      I know, I love internet but libraries are special places, I think. The library I used to go to the most wasn’t this one, but the Vatican (I studied in Rome). Inside is not as impressive as this but you have a view over St Peter… pretty spectacular. Where are you from?

  12. Nic says:

    We visited this earlier last year and thought it was really impressive, very exciting to see the book of kells

  13. Madi | Restless Worker says:

    I absolutely love libraries and I love Ireland. What a combination! I’ve been to Trinity College many years ago and remember it being beautiful. Would love to go back one day.

  16. Kate says:

    I’ve never thought to visit here but I would find it quite interesting. Jedi links too! Someone obviously made it look similar in the film. Really beautiful place. Thanks for sharing, great photos

  17. Ting at My Travel Monkey says:

    It really does look like the Jedi archives! I can’t believe I’ve never visitied The Long Room – having been to Dublin a few times! It looks like such a peaceful place. Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes

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