Book your tickets online for the book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. In a nutshell, the book of kells is a collection of ancient books which retells the gospels. It has been on display in the old library at trinity college from the mid19th century. We spent approx 5 minutes looking at the 2 pages on view. It contains the four gospels of the new testament, complete with illustrations. We gave the book a quick glance, and then upstairs to meander in the library. Your tour of the book of kells, trinity colleges library, and dublin castle meets in the front of trinity college in central dublin. Dublin tourism dublin hotels dublin bed and breakfast dublin vacation rentals dublin packages flights to dublin dublin restaurants dublin attractions dublin travel forum dublin photos dublin map. The book of kells and the old library exhibition tripadvisor. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the.
When visiting be prepared to wait to enter, when i visited the wait was 45 minutes. Parliament square at trinity college, dublin the book of kells. We booked the book of kells early access tour with dublin castle. Throughout the tour i can also make suggestions for places you might like to visit during the rest of your stay. How to see dublins book of kells for free or half price. Fasttrack easy access book of kells tour with dublin. Book of kells and the treasures of dublin context travel.
Four volumes are available for viewing, two of which can be seen normally, one is opened to display a majorly decorated page, and one displays two pages of script. The old library is mostly roped off, but you are able to walk down and view exhibits and artifacts from notable students and professors of trinity, including oscar wilde and bram. The book of kells dublin must see the spencer hotel dublin. The college and its beautiful buildings are worth visiting on their own, but tourists tend to head straight to the library building to view one of dublins top attractions. The book of kells and the long library is very worth a visit. We will begin our tour on oconnell street to discuss the man whose name it bea. 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%. Then there is the remainder of the library to view and a visit to the very good gift shop. You will explore the 9th book of kells rich ornamentation, multilayered symbolism and meaning. 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. Book of kells early access tour with dublin castle.
Does anyone know if the book of kells library is open on sundays. Changes or cancellations requested less than 24 hours before the tour departure time are not possible. Visit the university treasury to view the book of kells. 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. If you book with viator, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund. Today, this gracious and cosmopolitan city on the liffey is one of europes premier destinations. The book of kells and trinity college had been on my must see list for years. Children 3 years and under are complimentary the book of kells is being removed from 4th november 2019 until early march 2020 due to essential restoration, and will be replaced with the only fine arts version approved by the 16th century. The old library and the book of kells is a lovely library thats often crowded. The book of kells exhibition is a mustsee on the itinerary of all visitors to dublin. The capital of the republic of ireland, dublin is an intimate place that is easy to explore. You can get a full refund up to 24 hours before the tour. Book of kells and old library in dublin attraction. Visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition on.
Tripadvisor fasttrack easy access book of kells tour. At the conclusion of the tour, you may remain in the center of dublin for shopping or independent sightseeing. It is one of the more lavishly illuminated manuscripts to survive from the middle ages and has been described as one of the greatest examples of western calligraphy and. Meet at the easytofind trinity college in central dublin, and set off listening to the elaborate history from a guide who unlocks secret mysteries of the book. The book of kells and the old library exhibition, dublin. 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. Its about 10 euros to see the book of kells on your own, and 44 euros for the tour that i went on. Plan to visit the book of kells and the old library exhibition, ireland.
Avoid the crowds and explore irish history in peace on this 2. There are a few things to consider when deciding whether an early access book of kells tour is worth while, mainly the access and the price. Situated just off grafton street in the heart of dublin, trinity is perfectly located to explore the city. The trinity college library long room houses 200,000antiquarian texts and, in an adjacent room, the book of kells, a lavishly illustrated medieval manuscript containing the four gospels. 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. Select the start date for your cruise sailing to view all ports of call.
Authenticity tours, which operates trinity tours, can facilitate any tour requests from members of the public or tour groups. Discover dublins christian origins, beautiful buildings and famous book of kells ireland is often refereed to as the land of saints and scholars, well known for our writers like wilde and beckett but equally famous for our religious figures such as saint patrick. It is known for its worldrenowned artistry, as well as its many hidden secrets and mysteries dating back to the 800. 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 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 of kells and the old library exhibition dublin. The grand chained library holds many rare works on irish history and presents frequently changing displays of classic works. A 5 hour tour covering the celts, viking, medieval and english dublin. The book of kells is a work of art from the dark ages, written in the year 800 ad. Discover one of the most important highlights of irish heritage on this early access fully guided tour. Avoid waiting in long lines at the book of kellsone of the most important highlights of irish heritage dating back to the ninth centuryon this earlyaccess tour. Seeing the book of kells was so much better than we expected it to be.
View an exhibit on the production of the book as well as other exhibits on ireland. We just returned from the 14 day tour, and waiting in that long line was not worth the book of kells. 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. Beat the crowds early access to the treasury to view the incredible book of kells and the old library. The tour guy was knowledgeable but did not move the group out of the rain during the tour.
After having remained in kells until 1654, the book was moved to trinity college dublin in 1661. The book of kells is located in the old library building, on the south side of library square, inside trinity colleges main campus. Visit the trinity college library, home to the famous book of kells widely considered among the most important of all irelands ancient treasures. Book of kells early access and dublin castle guided tour 2020. Book of kells, dublin ticket price timings address. The book of kells, less widely known as the book of columba, is an ornately illustrated manuscript, produced by celtic monks around ad 800 in the style known as insular art. Enjoy ease of access with online fasttrack ticket entry to the book of kells. The scribes embellished their calligraphy with intricate celtic designs.
Dublin book of kells and trinity college rick steves. The book of kells here, is a manuscript of the gospel. Trinity offers iconic meeting and event space, stylish dining and over 600 bedrooms on its historical campus. It is indeed an interesting place to explore and spend some time at. Admission to the treasury to view the book of kells, entrance to the exhibition turning darkness into light and a fully. Glendalough and dublin highlights private tour with book. I am doing some research and there is a tour company that offers a. Google book of kells trinity college and it will pop right up first in the search results. 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.