Trinity College & Book of Kells

Overview

Founded by Queen Elizabeth I in 1592, Trinity College Dublin is Ireland's oldest and most prestigious university. Its cobblestoned campus in the heart of the city houses the world-famous Book of Kells — a lavishly illuminated 9th-century manuscript of the four Gospels.

Highlights

• Book of Kells: One of the most beautifully decorated manuscripts in the Western world, created around 800 AD by Columban monks.
• Long Room Library: A breathtaking 65-metre barrel-vaulted chamber holding 200,000 of the university's oldest books and a 15th-century Irish harp.
• Campus Architecture: The Campanile, Parliament Square, and Rubrics (1700) — the oldest surviving building on campus.

History

Trinity was established in 1592 on the grounds of the dissolved All Hallows Priory and remained exclusively Protestant until 1793. Alumni include Jonathan Swift, Oscar Wilde, Samuel Beckett, and Mary Robinson.

Visitor Tips

• Book timed tickets online — walk-ups face long queues, especially May–September.
• The Long Room is included in the Book of Kells ticket (€18).
• Duration: 1–1.5 hours.