Learn about its dense symbolism and rich ornamentation. The book of kells the college and its beautiful buildings are worth visiting on their own, but tourists tend to head straight to the library building to view one of dublins top attractions. I arrived at the library exhibit entrance and purchased my ticket to view the book just before it started to rain. 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. Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate latin text and intricate illuminations. Maximize your time in irelands vibrant capital with a 24. The book of kells, one of great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of new testament matthew, mark, luke and john together with various prefatory texts and tables. In a nutshell, the book of kells is a collection of ancient books which retells the gospels. The trinity library harbours the worlds most famous early medieval manuscript, the book of kells. The book of kells visited recently by the first lady of the united states of america, michelle obama and her daughters is by far the librarys most famous book and is located in the old library, along with the book of durrow, the book of howth and other ancient texts. It is so popular that there is often a long line to get in and a hefty price tag attached to try and squeeze up to the pages of the book of kells in a dimly lit room before being shoved out by the next guy in line.
From 1pm on tuesday, march 10, trinity closed off the book of kells exhibition and old library, the science gallery and the douglas. It provides visitors with an insight into the more than four. The book of kells and the old library in trinity are usually the tourists first port of call. There is dublin castle with its unique place in irish history it was the seat of english rule. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin castle. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. The book of kells is located in the old library building, on the south side of library square, inside trinity colleges main campus. Rome2rio makes travelling from dublin to kells easy. In 1994, bernard meehan, keeper of manuscripts at trinity college dublin, produced an introductory booklet on the book of kells, with 110 colour images of the manuscript.
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. The origins of this book are shrouded in ancient mystery, but what is clear is the unique writing that sees letters and strokes forming into stunning illustrations of disciples, animals and meaningful designs all of which represent the. Generally speaking, the library closes at 1700, though there are some exceptions. Fully guided visit of th century dublin castle exterior and gardens. May 11, 2020 the book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Kells or in irish ceanannas, the name used on many maps is a sizeable town in county meath, 40 miles from dublin, and about half an hours drive from the hill of tara. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. 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 gospels of the life of jesus christ. Lasting 35 minutes, the tour encompasses the four major squares of the college. Visit trinity college dublin and the book of kells exhibition. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin.
Book of kells and the treasures of dublin context travel. There are fantastic informational displays leading into the book of kells. Please consult government travel advisories before. Book of kells, trinity college library the long room, shops, pubs a stop at bruce springsteens favorite, chester beatty museum, and dublin. 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 visit a city. The exhibition that houses the ancient texts also provides for a visit of the old library which is well worth seeing. We had to wait for a few minutes before we were able to.
The book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. 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. One of the top attractions in dublin is trinity college and the ancient book of kells. The book of kells, one of the great treasures of medieval. Whats on and things to do in dublin dublins official. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour. Tourist attractions dublin trinity city hotel dublin. Youll be able to view an exhibition on how the book of kells was made, and general exhibits of ireland, while waiting for entry to the viewing area.
Just north of kells and accessible via the oldcastle road is the peoples park, a community area on the hill of lloyd. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september. Even after such a long time, the grandeur and aura of this historical book has not diminished and is considered as one of the major tourist attractions. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. Located in city centre dublin, this luxury hotel is steps from the book of kells, trinity college, and oconnell bridge. Book of kells and old library in dublin attraction. A visit to the book of kells at the old library in trinity college dublin is a journey through some of ireland s most iconic cultural heritage. 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. The book of kells attractions museums and attractions. Fasttrack access book of kells and dublin castle tour dublin. Nov 22, 2019 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. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning. The famous book of kells is, however, kept at trinity college dublin and the magnificent kells crozier can be found even further away, at the british museum in london.
After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin. One thing to note is the area around the book of kells is not huge. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a. The college has also announced that all lectures are to take place online for the rest of the semester april 10. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells. Find all the transport options for your trip from dublin to kells right here. Trinity closes off book of kells and other tourist spots amid. The book of kells museums and attractions dublin city.
This tour involves essentially a walking tour of dublin. The book of kells is one of dublins main tourist attractions, but is it worth the 10 entrance fee. Apr 19, 20 the book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. To limit the spread of the coronavirus, attractions may be closed or have partial closures. At the conclusion of the tour, you may remain in the center of dublin for shopping or independent sightseeing, or return with your guide to your ship. Apr 02, 2017 after seeing the book of kells, take in the floortoceiling bookshelves in the long room at the trinity college library in dublin. Dublin to kells 4 ways to travel via bus, taxi, car, and uber. For me, it held one of the crown jewels of literature, the book of kells. 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 attractions.
Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. Trinity college dublin has closed off the book of kells exhibition as well as other tourist attractions in a bid to slow the spread of coronavirus. This made kells popular with dublin commuters looking for a home in the country, the town population grew massively during the celtic tiger years when ireland experienced an economic boom in the early 2000s. Apr 19, 2019 trinity college in dublin, to be exact, holds many a wondrous treasure for the insatiable scholar and fewer curiosities for the vaguely obligated tourist. Looking for things to do in dublin, the book of kells dates back to the 9th century and is an exquisite and lavishly decorated copy of the first four gospels in latin. Book of kells dublin tourist attractions north star hotel. Rome2rio displays up to date schedules, route maps, journey times and estimated fares from relevant transport operators, ensuring you can make.
Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript after visiting book of kells, you will be brought to the historic long room a library that is over 65 meters in length and houses over 200,000 books.
His 2012 book contained more than 80 pages from the manuscript reproduced fullsize and in full colour. 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. Dublin to kells 4 ways to travel via bus, taxi, car, and. Dublin to kells 4 ways to travel via train, bus, and car. 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. Nov 05, 2015 10 things you should know about the book of kells, or book of columba erika harlitzkern nov 5, 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. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour. Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it. Beat the crowds early access to the treasury to view the incredible book of kells and the old library. During your tour, youll get to wander through some of the various graveyards of famous irish political figures, poets, writers and other people of interest, along with. Your tour of the book of kells, trinity colleges library, and dublin castle meets in the front of trinity college in central dublin.
Abbey street station is only a 5minute walk and jervis station is 8 minutes. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kellswidely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. 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. Grafton street and oconnell street are also within 5 minutes. Nov 10, 2011 one of the top attractions in dublin is trinity college and the ancient book of kells. The book of kells is widely regarded as irelands finest. This tour, with its combination of visits, will enable you to appreciate two, very different aspects of ireland. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the 800. The grand chained library holds many rare works on irish history and presents frequently changing displays of classic works. Listen as your guide brings medieval ireland to life, shedding light on the book of kells profound historical significance.
Mar 23, 2020 the book of kells, one of irelands great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. 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. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript of the biblical new testament gospels in latin and created in a british or irish columban monastery dating back to c. Enter the old library at trinity college dublin to see the illuminated manuscript of the book of kells. The star of the show is the book of kells, a breathtaking, illuminated manuscript of the four gospels of the new testament, created around ad 800 by monks on the scottish island of iona, but more stunning still is the 65m long room, the librarys main chamber, which houses around 200,000 of the librarys oldest volumes. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Dec 05, 2015 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. Visit the book of kells, trinity college old library, and the national museum of ireland on this book of kells tour of monastic treasures with a historian. 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. Authenticity tours, which operates trinity tours, can facilitate any tour requests from members of the public or tour groups. First your guide takes you through the colleges library, exploring the area known as the long room thats lined with books and statue busts. Bicycles at trinity college, dublin how to see the book of kells for half price or free.
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