Considered to be irelands greatest national treasure, the book of kells isnt the only treasure youll find in the old library, however. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript that contains the four gospels of the new testament, along with various supporting material. The book of kells is located at the trinity college in dublin and it is open for public visits, most times the book of kells contains the four gospels of the christian scriptures written in black, red, purple, and yellow ink in an insular majuscule script, preceded by prefaces, summaries, and concordances of gospel passages. The book of kells, a precious 9th century manuscript, is an exquisite combination of ornate latin text and intricate illuminations. To see the book of kells and the old library for half price, visit 30 minutes before.
The book of kells is one of the finest and most famous, and also one of the latest, of a group of manuscripts in what is known as the insular style, produced from the late 6th through the early 9th centuries in monasteries in ireland, scotland and england and in continental monasteries with hibernoscottish or anglosaxon foundations. The gorgeous library at trinity college is home to remarkable treasures of irish identity. Certainly the book itself is a marvellous artefact. Book your tickets online for 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.
Aug 29, 2017 while there might be a few other ways to get early access to the book of kells, i loved the tour that i went on because our library visit was followed by a walking tour of trinity college, downtown dublin, and dublin castle. Frequently asked questions about the book of kells faqs. Book of kells removed from public display through march. This decision has been made to protect the health and safety of our visitors and the university community. When visiting be prepared to wait to enter, when i. The long room library at trinity college dublin, ireland. Please allow 40 minutes to 1 hour for your visit through the book of kells and old library exhibition. Iona, the vikings and the making of the book of kells. I planned to buy the heritage island explorer guide but not sure if there is a way to book ahead of time and apply this discount. To see the book of kells for free, befriend a student or an alumni. Tucked away in the magical old library of trinity college dublin sits one of irelands most prized possessions just waiting to be discovered. One of irelands major cultural and artistic treasures, the book of kells and the old library exhibition counts among the oldest texts in the world, dated to the 9th century.
Visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition on. If you are not familiar with the book of kells, sometimes called the worlds most famous book, this 8th century illuminated gospel is held by trinity college dublin, where it has lived. Bicycles at trinity college, dublin how to see the book of kells for half price or free. You will also be able to visit the long room the main chamber of the old library, see the oldest harp in ireland and also one of the copies of the 1916 proclamation of the irish republic. The magnificent book of kells is widely regarded as irelands most valuable national treasure. This book contains the harmony of the four evangelists according to jerome, where for almost every page there are different designs, distinguished by varied colours. The book was then sent to dublin for safekeeping and later presented to trinity college in 1661, where it has remained ever since. Its one of the finest examples of an illuminated manuscript. Its worth visit the book of kells cos each day they change the page of each of the four books that they have on display. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kells widely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. The book of kells is the story of the life of jesus christ, told from four different perspectives, in the gospels of mathew, mark, luke and john. It went into wide release in belgium and france on 11 february, and ireland on 3 march. 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.
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. During this time, a full colour replica of the book of kells will be displayed in long room and ticket prices will be reduced by 15%. 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. This illuminated manuscript contains the four gospels of the bibles new testament and other sacred texts, written in latin. Oct 10, 2011 we braved a long line in the pouring rain. Visiting the book of kells at trinity college library, dublin. Visiting the long room at trinity college library in dublin. The 12thcentury writer gerald of wales, in his topographia hibernica, described seeing a great gospel book in kildare which many have since assumed was the book of kells.
During this period, ticket prices are reduced by 15% and visitors can still see the book of kells exhibition and the long room. The book of kells, the book of kells exhibition, trinity. A visit to kells priory, county kilkenny ireland family. These illuminated manuscripts are one of the wonders of medieval. Located in trinity colleges treasury, the tour includes a visit to the extended space library, one of europes most glorious libraries home over 200,000 of trinitys oldest novels.
Apr 26, 2016 best of all was the chance to visit the book of kells as many times as i wanted. Using a backstory which includes wineries, vikings and remote scottish islands, the book of kells can depart the hairs on the back of your neck stand on end. Best of all was the chance to visit the book of kells as many times as i wanted. The secret of kells is a 2009 frenchbelgianirish animated fantasy film animated by cartoon saloon that premiered on 8 february 2009 at the 59th berlin international film festival. Instead, the highlight for me was getting to see trinity college librarys magnificent, librarylustinducing long room. Ciavardini things to do in dublin things to do in ireland trinity trinity college trinity college dublin trinity college. The book of kells is located in the old library, along with the book of durrow, the book of howth and other ancient texts. At last, we caught our first glimpse of this celebrated book.
Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of. You enter a room with large poster size copies of the book of kells and videos explaining more about it. The famous book is associated with kells, a heritage town in county meath, not the beautiful medieval priory we visited in county kilkenny. Trinity college, the book of kells and the long room. The famous book is associated with kells, a heritage town in county meath, not the beautiful. While the book of kells would be justly famous for its age alone, its renowned for its spectacular artwork. Im a little worried about spending a lot of time in line. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. Mention kells to anyone visiting ireland and their thoughts move immediately to the book of kells, now housed at trinity college in dublin. Iona, the vikings and the making of the book of kells published in features, issue 3 mayjune20, medieval history pre1500, vikings, volume 21 it has been suggested that this chirho initial, with its dazzling range of colour and intricate patterns, would have taken months, perhaps even a year, to complete.
The book of kells will be removed from public display until march to accommodate for conservation works at trinity colleges old library in dublin. The book of kells museums and attractions dublin city. Also incorporating the long room, the old library is one of irelands biggest tourist attractions, and holds thousands of rare, and in many cases very early, volumes. Book of kells tour monastic treasures with a historian. Your visit to the book of kells starts when you step in to trinitys stunning campus. No trip to dublin is complete without a visit to the old library of trinity college to admire the book of kells. A visit to the book of kells has become almost compulsory for visitors to the city centre. Trinity college, the book of kells and the long room kerry hammond is back today continuing our series on mysterious and bookish places in 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. This is a precautionary measure to minimise the spread of covid19. Beat the crowds for earlyaccess to the old library in trinity college to get an upclose look at this celebrated text. 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. Listen as your guide brings medieval ireland to life, shedding light on the book of. Iona, the vikings and the making of the book of kells published in features, issue 3 mayjune20, medieval history pre1500, vikings, volume 21 it has been suggested that this chirho initial, with its dazzling range of colour and intricate patterns, would have taken months, perhaps even a. The book is open on a specific page each day and it appears to be often crowded around the glass cabinet. Trinity college is a lovely spot to take a stroll threw in the heart of d2. The book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. Nov 05, 2015 together with the gospels of lindisfarne and the book of durrow, i would say that the book of kells is one of the greatest contributions to medieval art ever to come out of the british isles. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kellswidely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. The book of kells is a precious manuscript dating back, probably, to the 9thcentury a. The long room contains many treasures, including irelands oldest harp and the proclamation of irish independence, but it is probably best known because of the medieval manuscript the book of kells. Seeing the book of kells in dublin changes in longitude.
The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. Comment below to be entered to win the coaster set below, just say something about your favorite library. For conservation reasons, the book of kells will not be on display from november 4, 2019, to early march 2020. We have prepurchased our book of kells ticket with a timed entry. Visit the book of kells, irelands greatest cultural treasure. While there might be a few other ways to get early access to the book of kells, i loved the tour that i went on because our library visit was followed by a walking tour of trinity college, downtown dublin, and dublin castle. The two ways to avoid paying the 10 fee to see the books of kells are as follows. Its wise to visit when it first opens due to a queue miles upon miles long. Entrance to trinity college grounds is free, there is a charge for entry to the library and the book of kells exhibition area. Here are ten things you should know about this ancient masterpiece. The book of kells is an illuminated manuscript gospel book in latin, containing the four gospels of the new testament together with various prefatory texts and tables. The library building itself was built between 1710 and 1732 so its almost a toddler in comparison. Pity the scholars who toiled over the book of kells.
The trinity tour tix can not be prepurchased if you already have your kells tickets the cost of trinity tour is just 3. Dec 31, 2008 visiting trinity and seeing the book of kells. When visiting be prepared to wait to enter, when i visited the wait was 45 minutes. 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.
Its worth visit the book of kells cos each day they change the page of. The library is open everyday all year round, except for a period extending from just before christmas into the new year. 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 insular illumination. We wish to inform you that the book of kells and old library exhibition will temporarily close to visitors until further notice. Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this book of kells and dublin castle exterior tour.