Tucked away in the magical old library of trinity college dublin sits one of irelands most prized possessions just waiting to be discovered. 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. Pride of place is given to the book of kells, an illuminated gospel manuscript dating from the 9th century. The 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four gospels of the life of jesus christ. The book of kells is an illuminate medieval manuscript that contains the four gospels of the new testament that was created in 800 ad and is considered one of irelands national treasures. If you are as confused as me, book of kells is not in the old library. A visit to the book of kells has become almost compulsory for visitors to the city centre.
Kells abbey was plundered and pillaged by vikings many times in the beginning of the 9th century, and how the book survived is not known. More than one million people visit the book of kells annually, mr jeffers said. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour. Pity the scholars who toiled over the book of kells.
The book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. Certainly the book itself is a marvellous artefact. The book of kells, a precious 9th century manuscript, is an exquisite combination of ornate latin text and intricate illuminations. If you need any further help with parking near the book of kells, shoot us an email at email protected or call us at 01 547 4296. 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. This decision has been made to protect the health and safety of our visitors and the university community. 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. The library is home to one of the rare full color facsimiles created in order to increase education, study and access to the book of kells located at trinity college in dublin. Famous manuscript will be removed from public display until next march to facilitate conservation works. The book of kells will be taken out of the old library from next monday until march 2020 to allow. Visiting the long room at trinity college library in. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september.
On most mondays, im at the two sylvias press office working, since friday, march th, i have been working from home. The book of kells is to dublin what the mona lisa is to paris and the sistine chapel ceiling is to rome. 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. 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 book of kells is one of irelands greatest treasures. This decision has been made to protect the health and. The old library, the book of kells exhibition, and the long room are open daily to visitors. Kells was once known as the splendour of ireland and st. Seeing the book of kells in dublin changes in longitude.
To be honest, it is not worth the money at 9 euros therefore go there at 4. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. The irish company that supplies the ticketing system used by visitors to the book of kells exhibition has taken high court action to stop trinity. To see the book of kells and the old library for half price, visit 30 minutes before the library closes. It is steeped in history, was once home to famed book of kells, and has one of the most confusing follies in ireland to boot.
You will be queuing outside and it often rains in ireland, so take my advice and buy tickets online. The library is a great place to spend a few hours by yourself diving into the knowledge of books. Columcille and his monks contributed to keeping the light of learning alive in europe during its dark ages. The book of kells is open daily, but the hours change based on the season. The book of kells and the long room are one of the most popular attractions in dublin so prepare for long lines. Most people have heard of the book of kells, which was found at the abbey of kells it remains one of irelands greatest mysteries as to where it was created. Book of kells kid connection irish cultural center and. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19. It is an illuminated manuscript of the four gospels dating from more than years ago. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin.
The book of kells is hailed as the pinnacle of manuscript illumination and rightly so, with its sweeping illustrations of christian truths translated into symbols and pictures. 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. The book a stunning collection of the gospels in latin written around the year 800 is thought to have been crafted in the ninth century by columbian monks, though where remains uncertain. 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. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. Frequently asked questions about the book of kells faqs. Visit the book of kells, irelands greatest cultural treasure. Please wash your hands and practise social distancing. While adopting a neutral stance on the fasttrack application, eileen barrington sc, for ftl, said it.
Visit the book of kells the book of kells and the old. A visit to the illuminated manuscript, the book of kells, in trinity college library in dublin, ireland. Im a little worried about spending a lot of time in line. You havent been to ireland unless youve seen the book of kells. 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.
The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. The operating hours for the book of kells varies depending on the time of year. If you are not familiar with the book of kells, sometimes called the worlds most famous book, this 8th century illuminated gospel is held. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin all you. If you are a tourist visiting ireland or an irish native, the book of kells is a must see. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kells widely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. All students and alumni get lifetime access to the old library and the exhibition. Current ticket prices and opening hours can be found here.
How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. While the book of kells would be justly famous for its age alone, its renowned for its spectacular artwork. 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. 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 that dates from at least the year 800 a. A ticket to see the book of kells also gets you into the long room. Trinity to shelve book of kells for four months the irish times. The book of kells is a beautifully handilluminated manuscript, containing the four gospels of the new testament as well as various prefatory texts and tables bound in four volumes. Listen as your guide brings medieval ireland to life, shedding light on the book of. When we were there on a sunday in april, the ticket queue was at least a couple of hundred people long. 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. It was created by celtic monks circa 800 or slightly earlier. It is a piece of history that has survived the test of time. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin.
Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it. If ancient history intrigues you then the exhibtion is well worth a visit and if not there are plenty of other things to do and see nearby. A voluntary community group set up in october 2010 with the aim of improving visitor experience in. The book of kells, the book of kells exhibition, trinity. Top tips on parking near the book of kells parkpnp blog. How to visit monasterboice the finest high crosses in ireland.
Ireland and the book of kells history course futurelearn. Some believe it was made in iona scotland at the monastery established by st. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel.
The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college in dublin. Book of kells irish cultural center and mcclelland library. Book of kells ticket firm seeks legal illumination over. The book of kells is a permanent exhibit located within the mcclelland library. The book of kells, dublin tourist information dublin. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. When visiting be prepared to wait to enter, when i visited the wait was 45 minutes. Apr 16, 2020 the book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. While we were visiting dublin last summer we were able to go to the trinity college library and see the book of kells.
Generally speaking, the library closes at 1700, though there are some exceptions. To see the book of kells for free, befriend a student or an alumni. The book is a masterwork of western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of insular illumination. I planned to buy the heritage island explorer guide but not su. Firm sues trinity over contract for managing visitors to. Book of kells to be replaced with replica until march 2020 the. As much as i love everything morgan library, i still cannot skip a visit to work called the most beautiful book in the world in an 1896 new york. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. For irish people, it represents a sense of pride, a tangible link to a positive. Visit the official website for the latest opening times. 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.
1221 1429 1224 63 533 143 1481 1439 296 701 1522 1547 159 1047 1040 250 995 49 1013 665 494 1515 994 979 1231 1385 1562 1039 136 223 1301 219 65 270 1191