The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to 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. The 10 best hotels close to book of kells in dublin, ireland. Restaurants near the book of kells and the old library. The book of kells trinity college dublin ms 58 contains the four gospels in. The library is a fantastic place for culture lovers as well as harry potter fans. 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 located in the old library building, on the south side of library square, inside trinity colleges main campus. First your guide takes you through the colleges library, exploring the area known as the long room thats lined with books and statue busts. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin. Round tower, abbey of kells round tower at the abbey of kells. We had to wait for a few minutes before we were able to get close to the display. Book of kells, trinity college library the long room, shops, pubs a stop at bruce springsteens favorite, chester beatty museum, and dublin. With over 2000 of the oldest books housed in this gorgeous library, plus the book of kells, the 9th century gospel manuscript, what else could you ask for.
The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin, ireland. This content is taken from the trinity college dublins online course, the book of kells. Fainche ryan, loyola institute, trinity college dublin. The book of kells stunning illuminated manuscript ireland. Its intricate drawings incorporating celtic and christian traditions are a testament to the incredible craftsmanship of the medieval irish monks believed to have created it while on the remote island of iona in scotland. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24hour front desk and room service, along with free wifi throughout the property. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin trinity college.
Learn more about the book of kells with trinitys free online co. Dating back to ad 800, the illuminated manuscript known as the book of kells is renowned for its extraordinary illustrations and ornamentations. You simply cant travel to the capital of ireland without the book of kells being mentioned. While the book of kells would be justly famous for its age alone, its renowned for its spectacular artwork. Jan 22, 2014 book of kells is the first exhibit you enter. Founded in 1592, trinity college dublin, ireland s leading university has woven a path of distinction throughout its 500year history, propelled forward to captivate, shape and inspire future generations. Visitors to ireland are currently unable to see the original book of kells. The book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college in dublin each year jeff pioquintoflickr new research is rewriting the history of. Patrick lore and the ruined monastery of monasterboice.
Seeing the book of kells in dublin changes in longitude. Rome2rio makes travelling from dublin to kells easy. The book of kells is the centrepiece of an exhibition which attracts over 500,000 visitors to trinity college in dublin each year jeff pioquintoflickr. To get the most out of your visit you need to read about the histroy behind the book and it helps to take your time to read the display pieces that preceed your opportunity to view the book itself. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. The book of kells attractions museums and attractions. Rome2rio is a doortodoor travel information and booking engine, helping you get to and from any location in the world. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning. Restaurants near the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin on tripadvisor. 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. It was painstakingly written by a group of columban monks around the year 800. Trinity to shelve book of kells for four months the irish times.
The old library building, trinity college, college green, dublin 2. 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. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. The book of kells is to dublin what the mona lisa is to paris and the sistine chapel ceiling is to rome. 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 exhibition that houses the ancient texts also provides for a visit of the old library which is well worth seeing. Our online book of kells brochures are available in the following languages. 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. 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. Discover how the worlds most famous medieval manuscript was made and learn about the rich symbolism behind it. 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. 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. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin castle.
John gillis shows us the materials and technique used to bind the pages of the book of kells. Dublin dublin has many places of interest and attractions to make a visit to irelands capital city a memorable one. 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. Ireland and the book of kells history course futurelearn. 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. The book of kells the book of kells is located at the trinity college in dublin and it is open for public visits, most times. Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells. Discover ireland is not a booking site but below are your booking options. Book of kells and old library in dublin attraction. The book of kells is a permanent exhibit located within the mcclelland library. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin 2020 all. 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.
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. Find all the transport options for your trip from dublin to kells right here. The book of kells is irelands greatest cultural treasure and the worlds most famous medieval manuscript. The book of kells is to be removed from public display in trinity college dublin for four months from next monday, due to conservation works. The book of kells, one of ireland s great treasures is also a european cultural icon, and is among our top ten tourist attractions. There are fantastic informational displays leading into the book of kells. 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 book of kells museums and attractions dublin city. Trinitys greatest treasures are found within the old library, built by thomas burgh between 1712 and 1732. Housed within the old library building, the book of kells is a precious 9th century manuscript, featuring an exquisite combination of ornate latin text. The book of kells site is open daily with varying hours by season may to september. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at.
Book of kells irish cultural center and mcclelland library. Lasting 35 minutes, the tour encompasses the four major squares of the college. There is dublin castle with its unique place in irish history it was the seat of english rule. 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. 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. One of ireland s treasures is the book of kells on exhibit deep inside the library of trinity college in the heart of dublin. This tour, with its combination of visits, will enable you to appreciate two, very different aspects of ireland. 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.
Together with the gospels of lindisfarne and the book of durrow, i would say that the book of kells is one of the. The book had a number of owners including the archbishop james ussher, until it was sold to the irish military and later presented to trinity college, dublin where it has remained since 1661. 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. The town lies off the m3 motorway, 16 km 10 mi from navan and 65 km 40 mi from dublin. Located in the heart of the city centre in trinity college dublin, the exhibition displays the book of kells, a. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address.
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. If youre looking for things to see and do in the area, you might like to visit grafton street and dublin castle. Being able to see the book of kells to me is a fascinating highlight of dublin, but i thought the long room, while beautiful, a rather monotonous space. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the 800. The 9th century book is a richly decorated copy of the four gospels of the life of jesus christ. Listen as your guide brings medieval ireland to life, shedding light on the book of kells profound historical significance. One thing to note is the area around the book of kells is not huge. Introducing the book of kells the book of kells futurelearn. 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. Your tour of the book of kells, trinity colleges library, and dublin castle meets in the front of trinity college in central dublin. Nov 05, 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. 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 here, is a manuscript of the gospel.
One of irelands treasures is the book of kells on exhibit deep inside the library of trinity college in the heart of dublin. The book of kells will take us to one of the most visited touristic attractions in dublin, ireland, which is trinity college library where the book if kells is placed and which is considered the. For irish people, it represents a sense of pride, a tangible link to a positive time in ireland s past, reflected through its unique art. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. 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 10 best hotels near book of kells in dublin, ireland. 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. You havent been to ireland unless youve seen 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. Perhaps the reason the book of kells survived the viking raids.
The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. It was stolen in the 11th century, at which time its cover was torn off and it was thrown into a ditch. Of all the books at the old library, the most famous and priceless one is the book of kells. The book of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. 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. It is best known as the site of kells abbey, from which the book of kells takes its name. Dublin to kells 4 ways to travel via bus, taxi, car, and uber. The book is a major dublin attraction and attracts many travelers, particularly during summer. 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. After a viking raid, the book was moved to kells, ireland, sometime in the 9th century. Book of kells the library of trinity college dublin. The book of kells provides a vivid entre into the history of ireland and its importance to western culture. May 19, 2020 the book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. The book of kells exhibition is located in the 18th century old library building in the heart of trinity college dublin.
Explore the history of ireland through one of ireland s most popular tourist attractions and the worlds most famous medieval manuscripts, the book of kells at trinity college dublin. The old library and the book of kells trinity college dublin. No trip to dublin is complete without a visit to the old library of trinity college to admire the book of kells. But, then, the book, since it is impractical to allow closer and longer examination, probably impresses more if youve read and studied a bit about irish and british monastic life, about places like iona and lindisfarne, and objects like the book of kells and. 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 must. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour. It provides visitors with an insight into the more than four. This illustrated version of the gospels was created around a. Located in the heart of dublin city, a walk through the cobbled stones of trinity college dublin will bring visitors back to the 18th century, when the magnificent old library building was constructed. Nov 17, 2019 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.
But a rare authorised copy has just arrived in the little museum of dublin. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. Its in a welcoming neighborhood well known for its great entertainment and bars. In this historianled book of kells tour with skiptheline tickets, we will visit the book, explore trinity colleges famed old library, and examine celtic artifacts at the national museum of ireland, revealing how the light of learning shined brightly in ireland during the dark ages. 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. 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. Book of kells and the treasures of dublin context travel. A trip to trinity college to see the extraordinary book of kells has so much more to offer than the chance to see the book itself. The book of kells is ireland s greatest cultural treasure and the worlds. The book of kells in the little museum of dublin the little museum.
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