Unfortunately, im unable to share any photos of the book of kells themselves as no photographs are allowed in the whole of book of kells exhibit. Most people visit primarily to see the famous book of kells, just one of a. For those who like to enjoy a more cultural or literary break, a trip to the trinity college library where the famous book of kells is housed, is a. It is the foremost irish university and is among the most respected englishspeaking universities in. Aug 9, 2014 four gospels illuminated by the columban monasteries 800 a. The old library at trinity college dublin, designed by irish architect thomas burgh 16701730, opened in 1732 and was expanded in 1860. See more ideas about book of kells, illuminated manuscript and celtic art. Meath, ireland, the book was brought there after the monastic community on iona fled raids in the early ninth century. The old library and the book of kells trinity college. Today, it is on permanent display at the trinity college library, dublin. A walk through the cobbled stones of trinity college dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, and offers a view of the book of kells, the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. The long room and the exhibition remain open for visitors.
The long library and the book of kells exhibit in dublin by christa thompson the old library at trinity college in dublin where the book of kells exhibit permanently lives by christa thompson 20 it is a masterwork of western calligraphy and represents the pinnacle of. The manuscript contains the four gospels in latin based on a vulgate text, written on vellum prepared. The book of kells and the old library located inside trinity college dublin is a must see attraction for anyone visiting dublin. The library is a fantastic place for culture lovers as well as harry potter fans. I had one free day in dublin and it was sunny and quite warm actually. Book of kells, trinity college library the long room, shops, pubs a stop at bruce springsteens favorite, chester beatty museum, and dublin. The book of kells, tucked away in the magical old library of trinity college dublin sits one of irelands most prized possessions just waiting to be discovered the book of kells, a precious 9 th century manuscript, is an exquisite combination of ornate latin text and intricate illuminations.
The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 contains the four gospels in latin based on the vulgate text which st jerome completed in 384ad, intermixed with readings from the earlier old latin translation. The magnificent old library built in the 18th century houses the book of kells. Alternatively you may enter through the nassau street entrance. The library contains many treasures, and the most wonderful of all is the book of kells. An introduction to one of irelands treasures, which has been in the library of trinity college, dublin, for 300 years and is recognized as one of the greatest illuminated manuscripts ever produced. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. The magnificent book of kells is widely regarded as irelands most valuable national treasure. 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. A large, lavish gospel, such as the book of kells, would have been left on the high altar of the church and taken off only for the reading of the gospel during mass. Book of kells and trinity library number 31 dublin. The beyond the book of kells lecture series is lead by dr mark faulkner of trinity colleges school of english. The book of kells holds a special place in the history of western art as a crowning achievement of the insular manuscript tradition. The manuscript takes its name from the abbey of kells in county meath that was its home for centuries.
Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. As part of ongoing conservation plans for the old library, the book of kells has been removed from public display until march 2020. Visit the 18th century old library at trinity college, in the heart of dublin city, to view the lavishly decorated 9th century book of kells. If you would like to find out more about trinity college dublin, the library of trinity college dublin collection or the projects they run please see. Created in the years around 800, it survived viking raids and the theft of its jeweled covers. Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and about the rich. Lasting 35 minutes, the tour encompasses the four major squares of the college. Folio129v contains symbols of the four evangelists. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 is celebrated for its lavish decoration. A walk through trinity college and the book of kells will bring you back to the 18 th century, when the maginificent old library building was constructed. The library of trinity college dublin pocket photo books. Trinity college, dublin and the book of kells on my two previous visits to ireland, i was delighted to visit the book of kells at trinity college, dublin.
The book of kells, dublin tourist information dublin. It consists of 340 folios made from calfskin vellum, all with golden edges. The first thing i did was to head to trinity college and visit the old library, and the exhibit on the book of kells. I love losing myself in their pages on a rainy day.
The library is absolutely stunning, housing 200,000 of the librarys oldest books the room made an avid reader such as myself want to grab a book and spend the entire afternoon reading. In 1641, the monastery of kells was destroyed and the book of kells was brought to dublin for safekeeping. St matthew is represented by the man, st mark by the lion, st. Welcome to the old library and the book of kells exhibition within historic trinity college dublin. Trinity college, dublin and the book of kells blogger. Beat the crowds for earlyaccess to the old library in trinity college to. The book of kells exhibition welcome to the old library and the book of kells a must see on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. The old library at trinity college dublin, dating back to the 1500s, is irelands oldest library and one of the most beautiful libraries in the world. Trinity is one of the oldest universities in the world and one of the most beautiful, with its imposing buildings and leafy grounds in the heart of dublin city. Inside is housed the book of kells a 9thcentury gospel manuscript famous throughout the world. Its also home to the book of kells, the most astonishing illuminated manuscript of medieval europe still in existence. The book of kells exhibition is located in the 18th century old library building in the heart of trinity college dublin. Ticket prices are reduced by 15% during this period.
The book of kells is inches wide and 10 inches high. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. Dublin dublin has many places of interest and attractions to make a visit to irelands capital city a memorable one. It has been in the possession of trinity college since at least 1661.
Choose from a wide range of unique trinity college gifts, perfect for alumni, graduates, students and visitors to our campus. It was created in a columban monastery in either britain or ireland and may have had. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. Museum from home conservation internship at trinity. 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. But when i stopped in on sunday july 10, i found an improbably long queue of visitors waiting to see the most famous illuminated manuscript ever rescued from a bog. The strange imagination displayed in the pages, the impeccable technique and the very fine state of preservation make the book of kells an object of. The book of kells is a masterpiece of medieval arta brilliantly decorated version of the four gospels with fullpage depictions of christ, the virgin and the evangelists as well as a wealth of smaller decorative painting. It is held as part of the manuscript, print, and book cultures research theme, in association with the trinity long room hub, the faculty of arts, humanities, and social sciences, and the library of trinity college dublin. The old library and the book of kells trinity college dublin. I know you can book tickets online but these are for a specific time slot, which wont work for us as we have tours outside dublin and may not make it. 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. Written in the monastery of kells in the early 9th.
Trinity college dublins old library and book of kells. Trinity college old library and book of kells exhibition. We will be in dublin next month over a weekend and want to visit trinity college and library. Dividing library square to the north and fellows square to the south, the old librarys stone exterior has a rhythmic simplicity, but little prepares the visitor for the classical magnificence of the buildings main chamber. Go through the narrow lane between the old library and the 1937 reading room and turn left to the old library entrance, where the book of kells is on display. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. Trinity college dublin is the oldest university in ireland, founded in 1592 by queen elizabeth i and famous for its graduates such as swift, goldsmith, wilde and beckett. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. Weve got the perfect gift to celebrate your special occasion.
1149 1576 1232 236 1475 441 1070 1336 1482 1303 1424 1187 93 654 759 1427 1004 978 1006 980 428 715 21 929 1084 351 491 1569 1133 1257 26 880 1483 861 439 444 791 280 1237