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. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. This past summer i was able to visit the exhibit on the book of kells in dublin and i felt overwhelmed at this amazing work of art and spirituality. The exhibition is a mustsee and is located in the heart of dublin city, a walk through the cobbled stones of trinity college dublin. Fully guided visit of th century dublin castle exterior and gardens.
The book remained there until the 1650s when it was moved to dublin for safekeeping and was presented to trinity college dublins. Really interesting to see the process of this calligraphic art up close. The book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. This manuscript is the finest example of insular art in existence. The best way to see the book of kells is early in the morning, before the rest of dublin is awake. An experienced driver navigates the roads safely and a. The long room and the book of kells, in dublins trinity college historical library, are two of dublins most popular attractions. Fasttrack access book of kells and dublin castle tour.
Reproductions from the manuscript in trinity college, dublin slipcased by francoise henry and john kennedy jan 1, 1974. Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. The book of kells in trinity is considered one of irelands greatest national treasures. Directions to trinity and the book of kells exhibit. Since the 1970s, white cotton chord has been used to mark the books in the long room that require conservation treatment.
Enter the old library at trinity college dublin to see the illuminated manuscript of the book of kells. Book online so you dont have to wait for tickets and try to get there early before the crowds. When visiting the dublin area, expedia can provide you with extensive the book of kells information, as well as great savings on nearby hotels and flights. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour. The book of kells is one of the worlds most famous and beautiful manuscripts of the four gospels of the new testament written in latin. Visit trinity college dublin and the book of kells exhibition. Generally speaking, the library closes at 1700, though there are some exceptions. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this 2. Or explore on your own, and be sure to visit the old library to see the book of kells, a priceless illustrated manuscript created by monks in the year 800. Spend less time reading maps and more time soaking up the scenery on a stressfree tour from dublin.
I had heard that the library was a mustsee even if you just have one day in dublin but just brushed it off its more than just a place for book lovers, the book of kells exhibit at trinity college is an interesting lesson in art, history, and religion. 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. Beat the crowds early access to the treasury to view the incredible book of kells and the old library. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice. Bicycles at trinity college, dublin how to see the book of kells for half price or free. Learn about its dense symbolism and rich ornamentation. This decision has been made to protect the health and. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour. An illuminated manuscript written around 800ce, this exquisite work of art has stood for 1,200 years as the greatest example of medieval illumination and is one of the most studied books in. The book was then sent to dublin for safekeeping and later presented to trinity college in 1661, where it has remained ever since. 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. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price.
In dublin we see the cultural treasures of ireland the exquisite book of kells, a precious harp, bronze age gold and then travel to the hill of tara with its st. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. Dating back to the ninth century, this book is one of the finest illuminated manuscripts in the world and a key artifact of medieval history. 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. Kells, the historic town in county meath, was once known for its traffic jams as traffic from dublin hit a bottleneck when passing through the quaint irish town. Patrick lore and the ruined monastery of monasterboice. Learn more about the age old techniques of mixing color. An illustrated introduction to the manuscript in trinity college, dublin second edition. Fasttrack access book of kells and dublin castle tour dublin. No trip to dublin is complete without a visit to the old library of trinity college to admire the book of kells. Direct flights to dublin are available from brussels international airport via air lingus. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. The old library book of kells exhibition dublin visitor centre.
I planned to buy the heritage island explorer guide but not su. Located in the heart of dublin city centre, at the historic trinity college, this international attraction draws in crowds from around the world by the thousands. If you are looking for the book of kells travel information, expedia has you covered. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. The book of kells museums and attractions dublin city. The book of kells exhibit and the old library are well worth the time and cost. Lasting 35 minutes, the tour encompasses the four major squares of the college. England has the stonehenge, china has the great wall and ireland has the book of kells.
So many books in library it is fascinating that they are still used by students today. Kells was once known as the splendour of ireland and st. Oscar wilde, courageous past student of trinity college dublin. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september.
Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. 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. Im a little worried about spending a lot of time in line. The book of kells is displayed at the end of an exhibit titled turning darkness into light which provides historical context for the manuscript. The book of kells visit dublin the books name comes from the abbey of kells in kells, county meath, where it was reputed to have been at least partly written, though its exact origins remain unclear. 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. Go to dublin and visit the trinity college library and the book of kells for yourself. One of the most unique and special destinations in the world, kells welcomes you to come and explore and become a part of its special story. Trinity college dublin is right in the heart of dublin and served well by cross city buses. The dart stations of pearse street, tara street and connolly station are a short walk away. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland. 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. We entered directly for a morning tour time with online passes, but later in the day the queues were. Apr, 2020 the book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin.
This early access tour offers visitors to dublin a one of a kind opportunity to enjoy the exhibition experience without the hustle and bustle of crowds. Visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition on. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin. Last year more than one million people visited the attraction, often a mustsee on tourist itineraries for visits to dublin. Book of kells and the treasures of dublin context travel. Then, explore the grounds and gardens of dublin castle, former seat of british rule in ireland. I wondered if something might bring home the rich world that opened to me in that experience. Seeing the book of kells in dublin changes in longitude. Book of kells dublin, the magnificent book of kells is the. Book of kells and old library in dublin visit a city. The book of kells, one of the great treasures of medieval europe, is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing four gospels of new testament matthew, mark, luke, and john. Wander down stately dame street and past the city hall.
On this tour your guide will ensure an up close visit of the book of kells and old library. Trinity college dublin, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth 1, provides for a fascinating visit and it is one of irelands top attractions. You can also fly via ryanair from charleroi airport. Dublin, the longest singlechamber library in the world and worth a visit on its own. Would recommend booking online and arriving earlier in the day. 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. Continue on your tour to dublin castle, located in the heart of historic dublin. Trinity to shelve book of kells for four months the irish times. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kellswidely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. Book of kells exhibition dublin visitors centre dublin.
The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. The book of kells washingtoncenterville public library. 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. And bought the tickets for a visit at the end of september with dh around august 28th. The book of kells exhibition is located in the 18th century old library building in the heart of trinity college dublin. Its easy enough, centrally located as it is in in the old library on the trinity college campus, an institution of higher education that has been in existence since the first queen elizabeths reign. I booked tickets for august 2019 1 month before our arrival. Very few things on this planet have stood the test of time. 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. Listen as your guide brings medieval ireland to life. The book of kells is an artistic masterpiece acclaimed as the most beautiful book ever written. Columcille and his monks contributed to keeping the light of learning alive in europe during its dark ages.
The book of kells was kept at the abbey even after it was dissolved in the 12th century and turned into a parish church until oliver cromwells army were stationed in kells in 1654. The book of kells in trinity is considered one of irelands greatest national. When the m3 opened in 2010, most people in a hurry were glad to pay a toll to bypass the tiny meath town. On my previous trips to dublin, i had walked by trinity college many times but never ventured inside. The exhibition that houses the ancient texts also provides for a visit of the old library which is well worth seeing. Bought a timed ticket for 10 am, so had most of the tourists in dublin. And the visit does not have to end here, you can also see what the library shop has to offer or, if the weather allows, enjoy a picnic on the wonderful grounds of the trinity college. After a viking raid which killed many members of their community they moved inland to kells, county meath about 70 kilometers northwest of dublin and continued work on the book. Top tips on parking near the book of kells parkpnp blog.
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